Apple bagasse as a substrate for the propagation of Patagonian wine yeast biomass

AIMS

A culture medium based on apple bagasse was designed and tested as a substrate for biomass production of conventional and unconventional native wine yeasts.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The physicochemical characterization of the apple bagasse was carried out and its potential utility as a constituent of a complete culture medium for the production of yeast biomass was analysed using the experimental statistical designs. Growth parameters of conventional and nonconventional Patagonian wine yeasts were analysed with Placket-Burman designs and response surface methodology, comparing in each assay the apple bagasse substrate with the commonly used substrate for biomass development, cane molasses. Culture media composition was optimized and models were validated.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that, both from a nutritional and from an economic point of view, apple bagasse constitutes a more advantageous substrate than cane molasses for the propagation of native yeasts from Patagonia.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

We used an alternate carbon-rich material, generously available in our region, originally generated as fruit industrial waste, to transform it into a source of sustainable, economically profitable and environmentally friendly energy resource.

Measuring improvement in knowledge of drug policy reforms following a police education program in Tijuana, Mexico

Background

Mexico’s 2009 “narcomenudeo reform” decriminalized small amounts of drugs, shifting some drug law enforcement to the states and mandating drug treatment diversion instead of incarceration. Data from Tijuana suggested limited implementation of this harm reduction-oriented policy. We studied whether a police education program (PEP) improved officers’ drug and syringe policy knowledge, and aimed to identify participant characteristics associated with improvement of drug policy knowledge.

Methods

Pre- and post-training surveys were self-administered by municipal police officers to measure legal knowledge. Training impact was assessed through matched paired nominal data using McNemar’s tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of improved legal knowledge, as measured by officers’ ability to identify conceptual legal provisions related to syringe possession and thresholds of drugs covered under the reform.

Results

Of 1750 respondents comparing pre- versus post training, officers reported significant improvement (p < 0.001) in their technical understanding of syringe possession (56 to 91%) and drug amounts decriminalized, including marijuana (9 to 52%), heroin (8 to 71%), and methamphetamine (7 to 70%). The training was associated with even greater success in improving conceptual legal knowledge for syringe possession (67 to 96%) (p < 0.001), marijuana (16 to 91%), heroin (11 to 91%), and methamphetamine (11 to 89%). In multivariable modeling, those with at least a high school education were more likely to exhibit improvement of conceptual legal knowledge of syringe possession (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.6, 95% CI 1.4–3.2) and decriminalization for heroin (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3–4.3), methamphetamine (aOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4–3.2), and marijuana (aOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.6–4).

Conclusions

Drug policy reform is often necessary, but not sufficient to achieve public health goals because of gaps in translating formal laws to policing practice. To close such gaps, PEP initiatives bundling occupational safety information with relevant legal content demonstrate clear promise. Our findings underscore additional efforts needed to raise technical knowledge of the law among personnel tasked with its enforcement. Police professionalization, including minimum educational standards, appear critical for aligning policing with harm reduction goals.

Microtubular solid oxide fuel cells fabricated by gel-casting: the role of supporting microstructure on the mechanical properties

Different cell configurations of anode-supported microtubular solid oxide fuel cells (mT-SOFCs) using samaria-doped ceria (SDC) as the electrolyte were fabricated.

Three-dimensional time of flight magnetic resonance angiography of the heart and associated vessels in a cat

The aim of this study was to describe the normal magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the heart and associated vessels in a mature female cat using a 1.5-Tesla magnet. Non-contrast enhanced MRA was performed using a three-dimensional time of flight (TOF) sequence in parasagittal and dorsal aspects. Relevant cardiac and vascular structures were labelled on three-dimensional Time of flight images. Time of flight imaging showed details of the heart cavities and vessels lumen due to the high signal intensity of fast-flowing blood compared with bones, muscles, and lungs, which appeared with low signal intensity. Three-dimensional TOF sequences provided adequate anatomical details of the heart and good differentiation of the vascular structures that could be used for interpretation of cardiac images and to assist in future MRA studies.

Urinary leukotriene and Bcl I polymorphism of glucocorticoid receptor gene in preschoolers with recurrent wheezing and high risk of asthma

BACKGROUND

Urinary leukotriene (LTE4) is an important marker of airway inflammation presence. A relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism in the glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) gene promoter (Bcl I polymorphism), development of asthma and sensitivity to glucocorticoids has been hypothesised.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the possible association between the Bcl I polymorphism and baseline levels of urinary LTE4 in preschoolers with recurrent wheezing episodes. We prospectively enrolled and classified 86 preschoolers based on the risk of developing asthma (by the Asthma Predictive Index [API]).

METHODS

At admission standardised questionnaires for demographics and respiratory illness characteristics were completed. The Bcl I polymorphism of the GCR was determined by a PCR-RFLP assay from blood samples, and urinary leukotriene was assessed from urine samples by an enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

We enrolled 86 preschoolers (46 with positive API and 40 with negative API). There were no statistical differences in demographic, respiratory illnesses and wheezing episodes characteristics between both groups. Also, the prevalence of Bcl I polymorphism was similar between positive vs. negative API groups (34.8% vs. 38.9% for homozygote GG, 56.5% vs. 52.8% for heterozygote GC, 8.7% vs. 8.3% for homozygote CC, respectively, p=0.94). However, urinary LTE4 (median [IQR]) was higher in preschoolers with positive than negative API (7.18 [5.57-8.96pg/ml] vs. 6.42 [3.96-8.07pg/ml], p=0.02, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In our population, wheezing preschoolers with positive API exhibit higher levels of urinary LTE4 than those with negative API; but there were no differences in Bcl I polymorphism of the GCR.

Development and assessment of the disposition index based on the oral glucose tolerance test in subjects with different glycaemic status

Insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity indexes are related by hyperbolic functions, allowing the calculation of the disposition index (DI) as the product of the acute insulin response (AIR) and the insulin sensitivity index (Si) from intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). Our objective was to develop an oral-DI based on the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and to assess its association with glucose tolerance status. This research is structured in three studies. Study 1: OGTT were performed in 833 non-diabetic Chilean women (18-60 years) without family history of diabetes mellitus. Study 2: an independent group of n = 57 non-diabetic (18-46 years) without family history of diabetes mellitus carried out an OGTT and an abbreviated IVGTT. Study 3: a sample of 1674 Chilean adults (18-60 years) with different glycaemic status performed an OGTT. An adequate statistical fit for a rectangular hyperbola was found between the area under the curve of insulin-to-glucose ratio (AUCI/G-R) and the Matsuda ISI-COMP index (study 1). The oral-DI derived as AUCI/G-R × ISI-COMP was previously termed insulin-secretion-sensitivity index-2 (ISSI-2). ISSI-2 significantly correlated with DI from IVGTT (rho = 0.34; p = 0.009) (study 2). ISSI-2 shows important differences across groups of subjects with different glycaemic status (study 3). We have confirmed that ISSI-2 replicates the mathematical properties of DI, showing significant correlations with DI from the abbreviated MM-IVGTT. These results indicate that ISSI-2 constitutes a surrogate measure of insulin secretion relative to insulin sensitivity and emphasizes the pivotal role of impaired insulin secretion in the development of glucose homeostasis dysregulation.

Kondo effect goes anisotropic in vanadate oxide superlattices

We study the transport properties in SrVO3/LaVO3 (SVO/LVO) superlattices deposited on SrTiO3 (STO) substrates. We show that the electronic conduction occurs in the metallic LVO layers with a galvanomagnetism typical of a 2D Fermi surface. In addition, a Kondo-like component appears in both the thermal variation of resistivity and the magnetoresistance. Surprisingly, in this system where the STO interface does not contribute to the measured conduction, the Kondo correction is strongly anisotropic. We show that the growth temperature allows a direct control of this contribution. Finally, the key role of vanadium mixed valency stabilized by oxygen vacancies is enlightened.

Control of macaw palm seed germination by the gibberellin/abscisic acid balance

The hormonal mechanisms involved in palm seed germination are not fully understood. To better understand how germination is regulated in Arecaceae, we used macaw palm (Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. Ex Mart.) seed as a model. Endogenous hormone concentrations, tocopherol and tocotrienol and lipid peroxidation during germination were studied separately in the embryo and endosperm. Evaluations were performed in dry (D), imbibed (I), germinated (G) and non-germinated (NG) seeds treated (+GA3 ) or not treated (control) with gibberellins (GA). With GA3 treatment, seeds germinated faster and to a higher percentage than control seeds. The +GA3 treatment increased total bioactive GA in the embryo during germination relative to the control. Abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations decreased gradually from D to G in both tissues. Embryos of G seeds had a lower ABA content than NG seeds in both treatments. The GA/ABA ratio in the embryo was significantly higher in G than NG seeds. The +GA3 treatment did not significantly affect the GA/ABA ratio in either treatment. Cytokinin content increased from dry to germinated seeds. Jasmonic acid (JA) increased and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboylic acid (ACC) decreased after imbibition. In addition, α-tocopherol and α-tocotrienol decreased, while lipid peroxidation increased in the embryo during germination. We conclude that germination in macaw palm seed involves reductions in ABA content and, consequently, increased GA/ABA in the embryo. Furthermore, the imbibition process generates oxidative stress (as observed by changes in vitamin E and MDA).

Identification of the Chemical Bonding Prompting Adhesion of a-C:H Thin Films on Ferrous Alloy Intermediated by a SiCx:H Buffer Layer

Amorphous carbon (a-C) and several related materials (DLCs) may have ultralow friction coefficients that can be used for saving-energy applications. However, poor chemical bonding of a-C/DLC films on metallic alloys is expected, due to the stability of carbon-carbon bonds. Silicon-based intermediate layers are employed to enhance the adherence of a-C:H films on ferrous alloys, although the role of such buffer layers is not yet fully understood in chemical terms. The chemical bonding of a-C:H thin films on ferrous alloy intermediated by a nanometric SiCx:H buffer layer was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The chemical profile was inspected by glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES), and the chemical structure was evaluated by Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques. The nature of adhesion is discussed by analyzing the chemical bonding at the interfaces of the a-C:H/SiCx:H/ferrous alloy sandwich structure. The adhesion phenomenon is ascribed to specifically chemical bonding character at the buffer layer. Whereas carbon-carbon (C-C) and carbon-silicon (C-Si) bonds are formed at the outermost interface, the innermost interface is constituted mainly by silicon-iron (Si-Fe) bonds. The oxygen presence degrades the adhesion up to totally delaminate the a-C:H thin films. The SiCx:H deposition temperature determines the type of chemical bonding and the amount of oxygen contained in the buffer layer.

Sall2 is required for proapoptotic Noxa expression and genotoxic stress-induced apoptosis by doxorubicin

The Sall2 transcription factor is deregulated in several cancers; however, little is known about its cellular functions, including its target genes. Recently, we demonstrated that p53 directly regulates Sall2 expression under genotoxic stress. Here, we investigated the role of Sall2 in the context of cellular response to genotoxic stress. In addition, we further examined the Sall2-p53 relationship during genotoxic stress in primary mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs), which are derived from Sall2 knockout mice separately, or in combination with the p53ERTAM knock-in mice. We found that the levels of Sall2 mRNA and protein are dynamically modulated in response to doxorubicin. At early times of stress, Sall2 is downregulated, but increases under extension of the stress in a p53-independent manner. Based on caspase-3/7 activities, expression of cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, expression of cleaved caspase-3 and induction of proapoptotic proteins, Sall2 expression was correlated with cellular apoptosis. Consequently, Sall2-/- MEFs have decreased apoptosis, which relates with increased cell viability in response to doxorubicin. Importantly, Sall2 was required for apoptosis even in the presence of fully activated p53. Searching for putative Sall2 targets that could mediate its role in apoptosis, we identified proapoptotic NOXA/PMAIP1 (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced protein 1). We demonstrated that Sall2 positively regulates Noxa promoter activity. Conserved putative Sall2-binding sites at the NOXA promoter were validated in vitro by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and in vivo by ChIP experiments, identifying NOXA as a novel Sall2 target. In agreement, induction of Noxa protein and mRNA in response to doxorubicin was significantly decreased in Sall2-/- MEFs. In addition, studies in leukemia Jurkat T cells support the existence of the Sall2/Noxa axis, and the significance of this axis on the apoptotic response to doxorubicin in cancer cells. Our study highlights the relevance of Sall2 in the apoptotic response to extended genotoxic stress, which is important for understanding its role in normal physiology and disease.

Neuromuscular Fatigue after Submaximal Intermittent Contractions in Motorcycle Riders

Highly repetitive submaximal intermittent contractions of the forearm muscles during periods of 30-50 min partially explain why motorcycle races are so demanding for the neuromuscular system. This study investigated the contribution of central and peripheral mechanisms of fatigue on the exerted and contralateral extensor digitorum communis following an intermittent fatigue protocol (IFP) designed for motorcycle riders. 12 riders performed an IFP, which simulates the braking and throttle handle gesture. We examined the time course of recovery of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), M-wave, motor evoked potential (MEP) to transcranial magnetic stimuli in relaxed and facilitated condition, and the cortical silent period (CSP) at time windows of 1, 3, 5, 10 and 20 min after the IFP. Whereas MVC, M-wave and MEP decreased, CSP lengthened significantly in the fatigued limb after completion of the IFP. Nevertheless, no differences were observed in the contralateral limb. All neurophysiological parameters reverted to baseline values in less than 20 min, while MVC remained lower in the exercised limb. No cross-over effects were observed in the contralateral non-exercised limb. Our results suggest that local factors are those mainly responsible for the incomplete MVC recovery after an intermittent muscle contraction protocol.