The Mayan cichlid (Cichlasoma urophthalmus), is a freshwater fish of the Cichlidae family, native to the south east of Mexico, it has potential for extensive cultivation due to its excellent meat ...quality and local demand. However, the nutrigenomic aspects and molecular expression of genes involved in its digestion that could contribute to its growth during the larval stage are unknown. Some enzymes such as Pepsin (PEP), pancreatic such as trypsin (TRY), Chymotrypsin CHY and intestinal enzymes such as Leucine aminopeptidase ANPEP, function during larval ontogenesis and activity patterns of the key factors involved in the digestive system. For this study, 30–50 larvae were collected, which were processed with mRNA extraction techniques and cDNA synthesis by RT‐PCR using qPCR oligos designed from Oreochromis niloticus, measuring molecular expression during the initial ontogeny of C. urophthalmus. The results obtained show the molecular expression of these enzymes occurs through epigenetic factors such as changes from endogenous to exogenous feeding, presenting the activation of genes for the formation of organs of the digestive tract that allow the secretion of specific enzymes for processing and digestion of food, that can activate these genes to increase the digestion efficiency and the optimal use of nutrients.
The tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) is one of the most important commercial species in south‐eastern Mexico, being studied in reproductive, physiological, nutrition and cultivation aspects; ...however, the aspects related to the endocrine system are unknown, mainly the expression of hormones during their larval development. In this study, we investigated the expression of the insulin gene (INS) and growth hormone (GH), during the embryonic period (egg), eleutheroembryon (3 DAH) up to 25 DAH using RTq‐PCR, normalized with the elongation factor gene EF1‐α. The INS phylogenetic inference showed an amino acid identity of 97%, while GH 99% against the sequence of Lepisosteus oculatus, indicating that these species are related and come from a common ancestor. The gene expression of the INS showed four peaks at 3, 7, 11 and 19 DAH, corresponding to changes in diet (Artemia nauplii) and artificial foods. GH expression was detected from the egg, increasing from day 15 to 25 DDE, concluding that A. tropicus larvae showed early and high expressions of these hormones, indicating a direct relationship with changes in metabolism of the species, increasing its function according to the nutrients present in the food and the increase in growth during the ontogeny of A. tropicus.
An exclusively renewable energy economy is imperative for sustained industrial expansion. Despite notable progress, renewable energy sources fulfilled only 12.6% of global energy demand in 2022. This ...can be largely attributed to the suboptimal capacity utilisation of most renewable energy generators. Addressing this challenge, hydrogen and liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) offer a distinct solution by leveraging economies of scale to substantially lower the levelised costs of delivery beyond current U.S. DOE targets. While several techno-economic assessments have examined specific hydrogen technologies, none have comprehensively evaluated numerous supply chain variations with consistent and comparable assumptions. Showcasing the Hydrogen Business Appraisal Tool (HBAT), we present a techno-economic analysis that evaluates technologies for the entire hydrogen supply chain, incorporating economic, environmental, and societal considerations for 64 unique variations. Notably, our study reveals efficient production capacities for each supply chain combination, suggests optimal reinvestment strategies, and quantifies the economic impact of continued investment in R&D for technology efficiency and longevity. Moreover, our analysis uncovers the environmental hazards associated with various hydrogen storage media, providing critical insights for sustainability decision-making.
As phosphorus is one of the most limiting nutrients in many natural and agricultural ecosystems, plants have evolved strategies that cope with its scarcity. Genetic approaches have facilitated the ...identification of several molecular elements that regulate the phosphate (Pi) starvation response (PSR) of plants, including the master regulator of the transcriptional response to phosphate starvation PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE1 (PHR1). However, the chromatin modifications underlying the plant transcriptional response to phosphate scarcity remain largely unknown. Here, we present a detailed analysis of changes in chromatin accessibility during phosphate starvation in
root cells. Root cells undergo a genome-wide remodeling of chromatin accessibility in response to Pi starvation that is often associated with changes in the transcription of neighboring genes. Analysis of chromatin accessibility in the
double mutant revealed that the transcription factors PHR1 and PHL2 play a key role in remodeling chromatin accessibility in response to Pi limitation. We also discovered that PHR1 and PHL2 play an important role in determining chromatin accessibility and the associated transcription of many genes under optimal Pi conditions, including genes involved in the PSR. We propose that a set of transcription factors directly activated by PHR1 in Pi-starved root cells trigger a second wave of epigenetic changes required for the transcriptional activation of the complete set of low-Pi-responsive genes.
The Use of Zinc Oxide in Asphalts: Review Rondón-Quintana, Hugo Alexander; Ruge-Cárdenas, Juan Carlos; Zafra-Mejía, Carlos Alfonso
Sustainability,
07/2023, Letnik:
15, Številka:
14
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a wide-gap semiconducting material which is chemically stable at high temperatures and has been shown to be compatible with asphalt binders. Additionally, semiconducting ...nanoparticles such as ZnO could help to improve urban air quality. This has encouraged the use of this material as a binder and asphalt mix modifier. A review on the use of ZnO as an asphalt binder modifier was conducted in this study. Based on the review which we carried out, the following were mainly synthesized and described: the content of ZnO as a modifier, the mixing processes of the binder and the ZnO, the manufacturing process of the modified mix, the type of asphalt binder and/or modified mix, the tests carried out, general conclusions, and environmental effects. ZnO micro-particles increase the aging resistance of the asphalt binder (mainly to ultraviolet radiation (UV)). ZnO tends to increase rutting resistance and adhesion with aggregates, improving resistance to moisture damage. It also tends to improve binder fatigue resistance. At low service temperatures, the performance of ZnO as a modifier is unclear, and further studies should be performed. Few studies have evaluated the effect of ZnO on the environment when it is used as an asphalt binder modifier. Future studies should evaluate the effect of this technology on the environment, perform economic analyses, evaluate the physical–chemical interaction of the modified binder with the aggregate, and measure the long-term properties of asphalt mixtures. ZnO is viewed as an environmentally friendly material and as a promising modifier of asphalt binders for pavement construction.
Biological considerations suggest that renin-angiotensin system inhibitors might influence the severity of COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate whether continuing versus discontinuing renin-angiotensin ...system inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers) affects outcomes in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19.
The REPLACE COVID trial was a prospective, randomised, open-label trial done at 20 large referral hospitals in seven countries worldwide. Eligible participants were aged 18 years and older who were admitted to hospital with COVID-19 and were receiving a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor before admission. Individuals with contraindications to continuation or discontinuation of renin-angiotensin system inhibitor therapy were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to continuation or discontinuation of their renin-angiotensin system inhibitor using permuted block randomisation, with allocation concealed using a secure web-based randomisation system. The primary outcome was a global rank score in which participants were ranked across four hierarchical tiers incorporating time to death, duration of mechanical ventilation, time on renal replacement or vasopressor therapy, and multiorgan dysfunction during the hospitalisation. Primary analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. The REPLACE COVID trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04338009.
Between March 31 and Aug 20, 2020, 152 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to either continue or discontinue renin-angiotensin system inhibitor therapy (continuation group n=75; discontinuation group n=77). Mean age of participants was 62 years (SD 12), 68 (45%) were female, mean body-mass index was 33 kg/m
(SD 8), and 79 (52%) had diabetes. Compared with discontinuation of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, continuation had no effect on the global rank score (median rank 73 IQR 40-110 for continuation vs 81 38-117 for discontinuation; β-coefficient 8 95% CI -13 to 29). There were 16 (21%) of 75 participants in the continuation arm versus 14 (18%) of 77 in the discontinuation arm who required intensive care unit admission or invasive mechanical ventilation, and 11 (15%) of 75 participants in the continuation group versus ten (13%) of 77 in the discontinuation group died. 29 (39%) participants in the continuation group and 28 (36%) participants in the discontinuation group had at least one adverse event (χ
test of adverse events between treatment groups p=0·77). There was no difference in blood pressure, serum potassium, or creatinine during follow-up across the two groups.
Consistent with international society recommendations, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors can be safely continued in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19.
REPLACE COVID Investigators, REPLACE COVID Trial Social Fundraising Campaign, and FastGrants.
AbstractPhosphorites (PF) have small particle sizes and interesting chemical compositions to be used as filler in asphalt mixtures. The present study assessed the performance that a hot-mix asphalt ...(HMA) displays when the natural filler (NF) is completely replaced by PF. X-ray diffractometry (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) tests were carried out on NF and PF particles. Asphalt mastic was manufactured using a weight ratio of filler (NF and PF) to asphalt binder of 1∶1.2. Penetration, softening point, viscosity, and linear amplitude sweep test were performed on the asphalt mastic. The following tests were carried out on mixes manufactured with NF (control) and PF (HMA-PF): Marshall, indirect tensile strength, Cantabro, resilient modulus, permanent deformation, and fatigue under stress-controlled mode. Additionally, moisture damage resistance was assessed through the tensile strength ratio (TSR) parameter. The HMA-PF mix displayed a better performance in all the evaluated properties, without increasing the optimum asphalt binder content. PF as fillers could be an interesting alternative in the manufacture of HMA mixtures subjected to high temperature climates.
Intentional bacterial infections can produce efficacious antitumor responses in mice, rats, dogs, and humans. However, low overall success rates and intense side effects prevent such approaches from ...being employed clinically. In this work, we titered bacteria and/or the proinflammatory cytokine TNFα in a set of established murine models of cancer. To interpret the experiments conducted, we considered and calibrated a tumor-effector cell recruitment model under the influence of functional tumor-associated vasculature. In this model, bacterial infections and TNFα enhanced immune activity and altered vascularization in the tumor bed. Information to predict bacterial therapy outcomes was provided by pretreatment tumor size and the underlying immune recruitment dynamics. Notably, increasing bacterial loads did not necessarily produce better long-term tumor control, suggesting that tumor sizes affected optimal bacterial loads. Short-term treatment responses were favored by high concentrations of effector cells postinjection, such as induced by higher bacterial loads, but in the longer term did not correlate with an effective restoration of immune surveillance. Overall, our findings suggested that a combination of intermediate bacterial loads with low levels TNFα administration could enable more favorable outcomes elicited by bacterial infections in tumor-bearing subjects.
.
Microalgae, including cyanobacteria, represent a valuable source of natural compounds that have remarkable bioactive properties. Each microalga species produces a mixture of antioxidants with ...different amounts of each compound. Three aspects are important in the production of bioactive compounds: the microalga species, the medium composition including light supplied and the photobioreactor design, and operation characteristics. In this study, the antioxidant content and productivity performance of four microalgae were assessed in batch and continuous cultures. Biomass productivity by the four microalgae was substantially enhanced under continuous cultivation by 5.9 to 6.3 times in comparison with batch cultures. The energetic yield, under the experimental conditions studied, ranged from 0.03 to 0.041 g biomass kJ
. Phenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids were produced by
,
, and
, whereas tocopherols and carotenoids were produced by the four microalgae, except for phycocyanin and allophycocyanin, which were only produced by
and
. The findings demonstrate that the continuous cultivation of microalgae in photobioreactors is a convenient method of efficiently producing antioxidants.
This article analyses the dynamics of the sex trade in the context of the Colombian armed conflict. It argues that the sex trade has adapted to the conflict and its different actors and demonstrates ...how it operates in such constrained contexts. The article is based on ethnographic research with sex workers in Bogotá who have experience working in different conflict zones. It found that the sex trade is dynamic and that sex workers develop strategies to resist violence and adapt to the respective contexts. These sex workers are a type of ‘floating migrants’, living and surviving on the sex trade not only for the income it generates but also for the relationships they build with other sex workers, establishment managers, and combatants. The article concludes that the sex trade in Colombia did not arise as a result of the armed conflict. Rather, it is a phenomenon that exists as part of a broader market before, during, and after episodes of violence.
PDF
