In current systems, the fermentation spontaneous process produces fermented beans of heterogeneous quality due to the fermentation time. This study demonstrated that the fermentation time should be ...reduced. For this purpose, the physicochemical parameters, antioxidant profile, and volatile compounds were characterized in two types of fermentation (spontaneous and starter culture) for 168 h in cocoa from three altitude levels. Multivariate analysis (cluster and PCA) was used to discriminate the fermentation stages. We found three stages in all fermentations, where the first two stages (0 h to 96 h) were characterized by a higher antioxidant potential of the cocoa bean and the presence of desirable volatile compounds such as acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and esters, which are precursors of cocoa aroma; however, prolonged fermentation times affected the antioxidant profile of the bean. In addition, the use of a starter culture facilitates the release of compounds in a shorter time (especially alcohols and esters). It is concluded that it is necessary to reduce the fermentation time under these conditions in the region of Amazonas.
Nanomagnetic logic has emerged as a potential replacement for traditional Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) based logic because of superior energy-efficiency (Salahuddin and Datta 2007 ...Appl. Phys. Lett. 90 093503, Cowburn and Welland 2000 Science 287 1466-68). One implementation of nanomagnetic logic employs shape-anisotropic (e.g. elliptical) ferromagnets (with two stable magnetization orientations) as binary switches that rely on dipole−dipole interaction to communicate binary information (Cowburn and Welland 2000 Science 287 1466-8, Csaba et al 2002 IEEE Trans. Nanotechnol. 1 209-13, Carlton et al 2008 Nano Lett. 8 4173-8, Atulasimha and Bandyopadhyay 2010 Appl. Phys. Lett. 97 173105, Roy et al 2011 Appl. Phys. Lett. 99 063108, Fashami et al 2011 Nanotechnology 22 155201, Tiercelin et al 2011 Appl. Phys. Lett. 99, Alam et al 2010 IEEE Trans. Nanotechnol. 9 348-51 and Bhowmik et al 2013 Nat. Nanotechnol. 9 59-63). Normally, circular nanomagnets are incompatible with this approach since they lack distinct stable in-plane magnetization orientations to encode bits. However, circular magnetoelastic nanomagnets can be made bi-stable with a voltage induced anisotropic strain, which provides two significant advantages for nanomagnetic logic applications. First, the shape-anisotropy energy barrier is eliminated which reduces the amount of energy required to reorient the magnetization. Second, the in-plane size can be reduced (∼20 nm) which was previously not possible due to thermal stability issues. In circular magnetoelastic nanomagnets, a voltage induced strain stabilizes the magnetization even at this size overcoming the thermal stability issue. In this paper, we analytically demonstrate the feasibility of a binary 'logic wire' implemented with an array of circular nanomagnets that are clocked with voltage-induced strain applied by an underlying piezoelectric substrate. This leads to an energy-efficient logic paradigm orders of magnitude superior to existing CMOS-based logic that is scalable to dimensions substantially smaller than those for existing nanomagnetic logic approaches. The analytical approach is validated with experimental measurements conducted on dipole coupled Nickel (Ni) nanodots fabricated on a PMN-PT (Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate) sample.
The combined application of chitosan (CS) and liquid smoke (LS) leads to the development of a suitable material with synergistic properties and promising potential for use as an efficient ...preservative for the conservation of food products. The present work investigates the development and characterization of liquid smoke-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (LS-CS/NPs) with the optimization of the preparation conditions using response surface methodology and the analysis of the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the nanoparticles as well as the controlled release of the liquid smoke. The nanoparticles were prepared by the ionic gelation method and were characterized by DLS, zeta potential, FT-IR, SEM, and EDS. The analysis of antioxidant activity of LS-CS/NPs was performed by the free radicals scavenging method (DPPH and ABTS) while the study of the total phenolic content of the particles was conducted via the application of the Folin-Ciocalteau method with some modifications. The analysis of antimicrobial activity of the LS-CS/NPs was performed using the minimum inhibitory concentration method involving the growth of Gram-positive (S. aureus and B. cereus) and Gram-negative (E. coli and Salmonella spp) bacteria. The analysis of the controlled release of liquid smoke was conducted at 4 °C using the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The results obtained showed that the nanoparticles prepared using CS and LS in the ratio 1.5: 0.583, respectively (F′2), which had an average size of 205 nm and zeta potential of 45 mV, exhibited good antioxidant (%DPPH: 92.7% and %ABTS: 93%) and antibacterial activities, with an efficient, gradual controlled release of liquid smoke (release rate = 0.042 min−1).
Display omitted
•Liquid smoke-loaded Chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation.•FT-IR, SEM, DLS and zeta potential were used to evaluate the nanoparticles.•The nanoparticles exhibited 40.3% loading efficiency and 21.6% loading capacity.•The nanoparticles function as a controlled release system of liquid smoke.•The nanoparticles exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in vitro.
B cell-activating factor (BAFF) is an essential cytokine in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) physiopathology. It has been reported that pSS patients develop germinal center-like (GC-like) structures ...in their minor salivary glands (MSGs). BAFF, BAFF-R, TACI, and BCMA expression was analyzed in MSGs from 29 subjects (nonspecific chronic sialadenitis and focal lymphocytic sialadenitis with the presence pSS-GC(+) or absence pSS-GC(−) of GC-like structures). Twenty-four percent of patients showed ectopic GC-like structures and a high focus score
p
< 0.001
vs
pSS-GC(−). BAFF serum levels (sBAFF) were high in pSS patients (
p
= 0.025
vs
healthy subjects). However, the pSS-GC(−) group showed higher sBAFF levels than pSS-GC(+) patients. BAFF and BAFF-R glandular expression levels were higher in pSS-GC(+) patients, without significant differences compared to pSS-GC(−) patients. Soluble levels of BAFF correlated with anti-La/SSB antibodies and disease duration. Our results showed that BAFF could contribute to focal lymphocytic infiltration. The role of BAFF-binding receptors in MSGs is proposed as a mechanism for the possible establishment of ectopic GC-like structures and disease progression in some patients. In conclusion, this study supports previous evidence that considers the active BAFF system role in the pathogenesis of pSS and the need for strong biomarkers in this disease.
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the association between composition of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and expression of p16 in acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), and their impact on ...prognosis.
Materials and methods
A cohort of 148 surgical pathology specimens of ALM was studied. TIL were evaluated by immunohistochemical detection of CD3 and CD8, along with CD20, CD4, CD68, and CD163 in a subset of 43 cases. p16 protein expression was also investigated in all the cases.
Results
The median age was 66 years, median Breslow thickness was 6.0 mm, grade III TIL was found in 28.4% and lymph nodes were involved in 54.2%. Breslow thickness (
p
< 0.001), stage I–II (
p
< 0.001), negative lymph nodes (
p
< 0.001) and < 10% p16 (
p
= 0.01) were associated with longer survival. Grade III of TIL was associated with thinner Breslow thickness (
p
= 0.008) and lower mitosis (
p
= 0.047). A higher density of CD3 TIL was associated with male gender (
p
= 0.008), thinner Breslow thickness (
p
= 0.047), negative lymph node (
p
= 0.031), early stage (
p
= 0.046), and p16 nuclear expression of > 10% (
p
= 0.045). Higher CD8 TIL was associated with > p16 (
p
= 0.03). Survival analysis found that longer survival had a trend to be associated with high TIL (
p
= 0.090). Levels of CD3+ and CD8+ cells were correlated with those of CD4+, CD20+, CD68+ and CD163+ immune cells.
Conclusions
Higher levels of TIL tend to be associated with better overall survival in ALM. Loss of expression of p16 is associated with lower levels of CD3+ and CD8+ TIL, indicating a probable relationship between p16 and TIL immune response in ALM .
Seismic swarms in a volcanic field can be indicators of the movements of volcanic activity and stagnant magma in the Earth’s crust. In the Tancítaro-Parícutin volcanic region, to the west of the ...Michoacán-Guanajuato volcanic field in Mexico, at least six seismic swarms have occurred in the last 25 years. However, greater precision is still required due to the distance between and non-permanence of the seismic stations. We used data from a broadband station of the Earth Sciences Research Institute (INICIT-UMSNH) and records from Mexican National Seismological Service (SSN), Center for Geosciences (UNAM) and Mexican National Center for Prevention of Disasters (CENAPRED) to relocate and obtain focal mechanisms for four selected seismic events. We applied the fractal methodology to analyze the inter-event times of the seismic swarm sequences. Two well-defined swarm sequences were identified, and, subsequently, the fractal behavior of the logarithm of inter-event times was analyzed by means of the Hurst and Holder exponent. Our goal was the identification of the different dynamical stages acting during the seismic swarm generation processes, that seem to be related to the stress transfer in different seismogenic faults. By means of the
b
-values and the temporal evolution of the Hurst exponent, at least five different stages can be distinguished during the Tancítaro-Parícutin seismic swarms. These stages appear to be determined by dynamic changes in the seismic sequence, also indicated by the focal mechanisms whose fits with faults that were apparently activated during the seismic swarm. The Tancítaro-Parícutin seismic swarm processes indeed show multi-fractal behavior, which may be related to different stages in the diffusion process.
Mine tailings are a source of contamination to soil, air, and water. Plant leaf surfaces may retain potentially toxic elements and deplete their dispersion. This study aimed to evaluate the potential ...of wild plant species as phytobarriers of areas affected by the dispersion of mine residues. Soil and plant samples were collected from 51 sites. The pseudo-total and DTPA-extractable Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Mn concentrations were measured in soil. Washed and unwashed plant samples were analyzed to calculate the phytobarrier index. High pseudo-total and extractable concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cd were found in the whole area, and strong influence by mine residues was observed. Twenty-two plant species were able to adsorb dust on leaves.
P
.
lanceolata
,
Cucurbita
spp.,
Medicago sativa
had 5.5, 3.5, and 3.2 times more Pb on the surface than inside the plant. The plants capture particles in different degree. The highest phytobarriers index and widespread sites distribution were observed in S
anvitalia procumbens
(37–48),
Dichondra argentea
(40–62),
Dyssodia pinnata
(34–62),
Aster gymnocephalu
s (32–51),
Flaveria trinervia
(39–47),
Jatropha dioica
(32–48), and
Brickellia veronicifolia
(32–70). The plant species have different abilities to catch particles according to the specific site conditions where they were growing. Probably, native plant species may serve for air phytoremediation near the mine tailings at arid and semiarid areas.
Pet is a toxin from the family of Serine Protease Autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae which was initially identified in Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli strains. This protease exhibits ...enterotoxin properties, damages the cell cytoskeleton and induces intestinal epithelium alterations, which are associated with a severe inflammatory process. An in-vitro study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Pet on the migration of human peripheral blood monocytes-derived macrophages and its participation in the activation of the early inflammatory response and cytokine expression.
In the macrophage migration activation assay, Pet produced a similar effect to that induced by opsonized zymosan (ZAS). Regarding the cytokine expression, an increase of IL-8, TNF-α (pro-inflammatory) and IL-10 (anti-inflammatory) was identified. In addition to the above results, the nuclear translocation of NF-kB pp65 was also identified. These events are probably related to the inflammatory response identified in the histological examination of intestine rat samples inoculated with Pet during a ligated loop assay.
The results showed that Pet participates as an immunostimulant molecule for macrophages, which activates both their mobility and cytokine expression. These observations suggest that the toxin participates in the inflammatory process that is observed during the host infection by EAEC Pet producing.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The Cuatro Ciénegas Basin (CCB) is located in the Chihuahuan desert in the Mexican state of Coahuila; it has been characterized as a site with high biological diversity despite its extreme ...oligotrophic conditions. It has the greatest number of endemic species in North America, containing abundant living microbialites (including stromatolites and microbial mats) and diverse microbial communities. With the hypothesis that this high biodiversity and the geographic structure should be reflected in the virome, the viral communities in 11 different locations of three drainage systems, Churince, La Becerra, and Pozas Rojas, and in the intestinal contents of 3 different fish species, were analyzed for both eukaryotic and prokaryotic RNA and DNA viruses using next-generation sequencing methods. Double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus families were the most abundant (72.5% of reads), followed by single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) viruses (2.9%) and ssRNA and dsRNA virus families (0.5%). Thirteen families had dsDNA genomes, five had ssDNA, three had dsRNA, and 16 had ssRNA. A highly diverse viral community was found, with an ample range of hosts and a strong geographical structure, with very even distributions and signals of endemicity in the phylogenetic trees from several different virus families. The majority of viruses found were bacteriophages but eukaryotic viruses were also frequent, and the large diversity of viruses related to algae were a surprise, since algae are not evident in the previously analyzed aquatic systems of this ecosystem. Animal viruses were also frequently found, showing the large diversity of aquatic animals in this oasis, where plants, protozoa, and archaea are rare.
In this study, we tested whether the high biodiversity and geographic structure of CCB is reflected in its virome. CCB is an extraordinarily biodiverse oasis in the Chihuahuan desert, where a previous virome study suggested that viruses had followed the marine ancestry of the marine bacteria and, as a result of their long isolation, became endemic to the site. In this study, which includes a larger sequencing coverage and water samples from other sites within the valley, we confirmed the high virus biodiversity and uniqueness as well as the strong biogeographical diversification of the CCB. In addition, we also analyzed fish intestinal contents, finding that each fish species eats different prey and, as a result, presents different viral compositions even if they coexist in the same pond. These facts highlight the high and novel virus diversity of CCB and its "lost world" status.
The point of no return (PNR) and disappearance of the oil droplet were measured in Chirostoma estor larvae as a function of the time of first feeding. In a separate trial, growth and survival of ...larvae fed rotifers enriched with Chlorella sp., cod liver oil and corn oil were assessed. Fatty acid and lipid composition of eggs, oil droplets, egg yolk, feed and larvae were also evaluated. The PNR was found between 7 and 8 days posthatching (dph). Total oil droplet depletion occurred between 7 and 11 dph, depending on the time of first feeding. Best growth and survival were obtained in larvae fed with Chlorella‐enriched rotifers, followed by those fed cod liver oil‐enriched rotifers. In larvae fed corn oil, Chlorella and cod liver oil‐enriched rotifers, total oil droplet depletion took place on days 9, 10 and 11, respectively. There was a direct relationship between presence and duration of oil droplets and the survival of larvae under different starvation conditions. The feed source could prolong the existence of the oil droplet depending on particular dietary supply of essential fatty acids; the time of its disappearance could be a useful indicator of larval vigour and health status.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
PDF
