Saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass might contribute to the bioethanol production, positively impacting energy security and sustainability. Lignin reduces polysaccharide saccharification and ...needs to be depolymerized and separated to improve fermentable sugar yield. Here, we report a substantial increase in lignocellulose saccharification after treating plants with the natural compounds: 3,4-(methylenedioxy)cinnamic acid (MDCA), a competitive inhibitor of 4-coenzyme A ligase (4CL); piperonylic acid (PIP), a quasi-irreversible inhibitor of cinnamyl 4-hydroxylase (C4H); and daidzin (DZN) a competitive inhibitor of coniferaldehyde dehydrogenase (CALDH). A single treatment with these inhibitors on different young developmental stages significantly increased lignocellulosic saccharification of crops at maturity stage. Field trial experiments with sugarcane (Saccharum spp), soybean (Glycine max), and brachiaria (Urochloa decumbens), showed that 12-month-old sugarcane bagasse increased saccharification up to 120%, 90-days-old soybean residues increased saccharification up to 36%, and 40-days-old brachiaria straw increased saccharification up to 21%. Treatments did not affect biomass productivity, lignin content or its monomeric composition. In contrast, anatomic assessment by UV microscopy revealed that MDCA affected tissue formation, increasing the lignification in fibers and vessels, but not in parenchyma. The tissue-specific and developmental persistent phenomena allowed a substantial increase in saccharification, while preserving the mechanical strength necessary for plant growth and development, suggesting that natural compounds are opportune for bioenergy applications.
•Natural compounds MDCA, PIP, and daidzin inhibit enzymes of phenylpropanoid pathway.•These inhibitors improve the saccharification of sugarcane, soybean, and brachiaria.•MDCA induces specific changes in lignifying tissues, boosting saccharification.•In field-trials saccharification improve without affecting productivity.
It is known that adaptive filtering algorithms may tackle relevant communication tasks. In order to reduce the adaptation rate, the least mean squares algorithm and its normalized version may be ...implemented in a block manner, so that the filter coefficients are adjusted once per each output block. This letter advances a stochastic model that is able to predict the learning capabilities of time-domain block extensions of these algorithms, and demonstrates that their behaviour is not governed by trivial generalizations of the rules presented by standard implementations. The devised model decouples the radial and angular distribution of input data for the sake of emphasizing the factors that drive the algorithms learning behaviour. Both algorithms are demonstrated to solve a local and deterministic optimization problem. This novel point of view is employed to derive new versions of these algorithms that are able to enhance asymptotic performance by the usage of coefficient reusing techniques. Theoretical results reveal good adherence to simulated learning curves and the proposed algorithms outperform the standard ones in steady-state.
Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae has become a global priority, not least in low- and middle-income countries. Here, we report the emergence and clinical impact of a novel Klebsiella ...pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-KP) sequence type (ST) 16 clone in a clonal complex (CC) 258-endemic setting.
In a teaching Brazilian hospital, a retrospective cohort of adult KPC-KP bloodstream infection (BSI) cases (January 2014 to December 2016) was established to study the molecular epidemiology and its impact on outcome (30-day all-cause mortality). KPC-KP isolates underwent multilocus sequence typing. Survival analysis between ST/CC groups and risk factors for fatal outcome (logistic regression) were evaluated. Representative isolates underwent whole-genome sequencing and had their virulence tested in a Galleria larvae model.
One hundred sixty-five unique KPC-KP BSI cases were identified. CC258 was predominant (66%), followed by ST16 (12%). The overall 30-day mortality rate was 60%; in contrast, 95% of ST16 cases were fatal. Patients' severity scores were high and baseline clinical variables were not statistically different across STs. In multivariate analysis, ST16 (odds ratio OR, 21.4; 95% confidence interval CI, 2.3-202.8; P = .008) and septic shock (OR, 11.9; 95% CI, 4.2-34.1; P < .001) were independent risk factors for fatal outcome. The ST16 clone carried up to 14 resistance genes, including blaKPC-2 in an IncFIBpQIL plasmid, KL51 capsule, and yersiniabactin virulence determinants. The ST16 clone was highly pathogenic in the larvae model.
Mortality rates were high in this KPC-KP BSI cohort, where CC258 is endemic. An emerging ST16 clone was associated with high mortality. Our results suggest that even in endemic settings, highly virulent clones can rapidly emerge demanding constant monitoring.
The diversity and genetic relationships among two accessions of tall coconut palms collected in Brazil and seven accessions introduced from different geographic regions of the world were analyzed ...using 25 microsatellite primers, 19 of which were polymorphic and detected between 4 and 10 alleles per locus, with an average of 6.57. The observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.25 and 0.40 in the Rennell Islands Tall (RIT) accession to 0.54 and 0.62 in the Polynesian Tall (PYT) accession. The analysis of genetic structure resulted in the formation of five distinct groups. The first group was formed by the accessions Brazilian Tall-Praia do Forte (BRTPF), Brazilian Tall-Merepe (BRTMe) and West African Tall (WAT); the second group consisted of Malaysian Tall (MLT); the third group of RIT; the fourth group of Vanuatu Tall (VTT); and the fifth group of Rotuman Tall (RTMT), Tonga Tall (TONT) and PYT. The dendrogram based on the nearest-neighbor method detected the formation of two main groups and five subgroups, indicating that the genetic relationships of the accessions are based on their geographic regions of origin. The analyses revealed genetic relationships between the accessions collected in Brazil and the accession from Africa, and among palms from South East Asia and the South Pacific, confirming the common origin of these accessions. The information obtained in this study can guide decisions on germplasm conservation activities and the efficient selection of genetically divergent parents for use in coconut breeding programs in Brazil, which are attempting to select for disease resistance, mainly to lethal yellowing, among other characteristics.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The design of compounds with directed action to a defined organ or tissue is a very promising approach, since it can decrease considerably the toxicity of the drug/bioactive compound. For this ...reason, this kind of strategy has been greatly important in the scientific community. Dendrimers, on the other hand, comprise extremely organized macromolecules with many peripheral functionalities, stepwise controlled synthesis, and defined size. These nanocomposites present several biological applications, demonstrating their efficiency to act in the pharmaceutical field. Considering that, the main purpose of this review was describing the potential of dendrons and dendrimers as drug targeting, applying different targeting groups. This application has been demonstrated through interesting examples from the literature considering the last ten years of publications.
The concentration of suspended solids in water is one of the quality parameters that can be recovered using remote sensing data. This paper investigates the data obtained using a sensor coupled to an ...unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in order to estimate the concentration of suspended solids in a lake in southern Brazil based on the relation of spectral images and limnological data. The water samples underwent laboratory analysis to determine the concentration of total suspended solids (TSS). The images obtained using the UAV were orthorectified and georeferenced so that the values referring to the near, green, and blue infrared channels were collected at each sampling point to relate with the laboratory data. The prediction of the TSS concentration was performed using regression analysis and artificial neural networks. The obtained results were important for two main reasons. First, although regression methods have been used in remote sensing applications, they may not be adequate to capture the linear and/or non-linear relationships of interest. Second, results show that the integration of UAV in the mapping of water bodies together with the application of neural networks in the data analysis is a promising approach to predict TSS as well as their temporal and spatial variations.
Introduction: T cell lymphomas (NHL-T) account for 10-15% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). They are a heterogeneous group of infrequent neoplasms with a variable clinical course but prevalently ...aggressive behavior and high mortality rates. Diagnosis is still challenging and there has been little change in the overall prognosis over the last two decades. In spite of IPI (International Prognostic Index) that include extranodal (EN) site in its variables, lack is known regarding EN involvement in nodal peripheral T cell lymphomas- PTCL (PTCL-NOS, TFH and ALCL ALK+/ALK-) location or impact on prognosis). Objective: We aim to evaluate number of extranodal (EN) sites in nodal PTCL lymphomas (PTCL-NOS, TFH and ALCL ALK+/ALK-) and its specific location as a surrogate for overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Also generate hypothesis for further molecular analysis. Methodology: Brazil T-cell project is a national, ambispective study of patients with histological diagnosis of PTCL diagnosed from January 2015 to December 2022. Approval for the study was obtained at the coordinating center (Samaritano Hospital - São Paulo) and at each participating center as per the institutional standard before initiation. Those selected for the study were previously untreated patients age ≥ 19 years, with de novo PTCL or natural killer/T-cell lymphoma. At each institution, the local pathologist reviewed the diagnose. Clinical information included coded patient and site identifiers, sex, date of birth, date and site of diagnostic biopsy, sites of disease, EN (location and number), methodology of staging (clinical, CT or Pet) and Ann Arbor stage. Initial therapy and response; details of remission, progression, or relapse; and subsequent therapies, along with survival status and cause of death. Treatment outcome was determined by OS and PFS. REDcap Platform (by Vanderbilt) has been used to collect and store data and for descriptive analysis the IBM-SPSS version 24 was applied. Kaplan-Meier method estimated the OS, whereas Log-Rank tests to compare its curves. This trial is registered at Clinical trials (NCT03207789). Results: Of 621 registered we selected 198 patients (pts) diagnosed with nodal PTCL with at least one EN involvement Cohort 1 EN involvement equal to one (148 pts) and Cohort 2 EN involvement ³ 2 (50 patients). Considering all 198 pts (Cohort 1 and 2) there was a slight male predominance (63%); median age 53 years; 79% were staged III or IV; 81.5 were IPI 2 or more. Most frequently histology was PTCL-NOS (46%), followed by ALCL ALK+ (32%), ALCL ALK- (12.5%) and TFH (9.5%). The majority had B Symptoms (63%); 37.5% had Bone Marrow infiltration. The chemotherapy most frequently chosen were CHOEP (54.5%) followed by CHOP (19.5%). Transplant was used as consolidation in 20% of the cases. Almost half of patients achieved complete response after first line (44%), although 38% relapsed. Cohort 1 (EN=1) and 2 (EN ³ 2) were similar regarding clinical characteristics, except, for stage III-IV (73% vs 96%; p <.0001); IPI ³ 3 (37.5% vs. 82%; p <.0001) and ECOG (22 vs. 48%; p=.001), respectively. Therefore, translating in a more advanced disease in Cohort 2. The most common extranodal location in Cohort 1 (EN=1) was Skin/ Subcutaneous (35%), followed by gastrointestinal tract (18%) and lung (16%). NHL-T subtypes behaved similarly in this EN exploratory analysis, with a better OS and PFS in ALCL ALK+, followed by ALK- and PTCL-NOS. There was no difference in PFS in Cohort 1 (EN=1) and 2 (EN ³ 2), but there was a slight difference in Overall survival (55% vs. 42% in 12 months; p=0.06), suggesting EN sites involvement assessed by CT and PET-CT as possible surrogate for outcomes in this population. Conclusion: NHL-T is still unmet medical need considering suboptimal outcome in treatment and survival. New biological and clinical finding are still necessary to adequate stratify this group of patients, considering poor performance of IPI and PIT scores. Number and location of EN sites involvement may be a possible surrogate for outcome, which can be a reflect of a distinct biology, that needs further investigation. Registries are of importance considering rarity and poor prognosis of this diseases and an adequate instrument to hypothesis generation.
•Ultrasonic pretreatment reduced drying time of V. curassavica and O. gratissimum.•Pretreatment maximized the essential oil yield of V. curassavica.•Essential oil yield of O. gratissimum showed ...significant reduction.•Pretreatment did not alter qualitatively the essential oil of both species.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of ultrasonic pretreatment combined with the drying using a heat pump, on the drying time, yield and chemical composition of essential oil of Varronia curassavica Jacq. and Ocimum gratissimum Linn. Leaves of both species were submitted to 0, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min ultrasonic pretreatment at 37 kHz and dried at 40 °C in a fixed bed dryer, equipped with a heat pump, with airflow of 0.8 m s−1. Ultrasonic pretreatment reduced drying time, did not cause qualitative alteration in the chemical constituents of the essential oils extracted from the leaves of both species studied and maximized the essential oil yield of V. curassavica. However, the essential oil yield of O. gratissimum showed a significant reduction. For V. curassavica, ultrasound pretreatment that promoted the highest reduction of drying time and higher essential oil yield was 20 min. In O. gratissimum, the pretreatment of 5 min promoted the highest reduction of drying time and the lowest loss of essential oils.
Rotary dryer for thermo sensitive products Gonzaga, Diego A; de Ávila, Mariane BR; Zotti Sperotto, Naiara C ...
Horticulture International Journal,
2020, Letnik:
4, Številka:
6
Journal Article
Odprti dostop
To achieve the desired drying objectives in thermal sensitive products, such as medicinal plants, the process chosen should happen under minimally controlled conditions, such as, uniformity of ...temperature and air velocity, minimizing heat loss and with energy viability and efficiency. If possible, the process must occur using equipment with industrial implementation where the evaporation rate can be controlled. The intermittent drying process, which consist of cycles of exposure of the material to heated air (period of effective drying) and tempering (period of no exposure to heated air), is a great option to preserve the product’s quality during the drying process. We propose a new configuration of rotary dryer intended for intermittent drying; observing the configurations of widely applied rotary dryers, the relationship between angular velocity, period and frequency of rotation and laboratory experiments of manufacturing process in intermittent drying. The proposed dryer is efficient for the application of intermittent drying in products with high thermal sensitivity, such as medicinal plants. Making possible uniformity of temperature and air velocity distribution, minimizing heat loss and with energy viability and efficiency, guarantying the product quality.
Genetic Relationships among Tall Coconut Palm Loiola, Carina Mendes; Azevedo, Alinne Oliveira Nunes; Diniz, Leandro E. C ...
PloS one,
03/2016, Letnik:
11, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The diversity and genetic relationships among two accessions of tall coconut palms collected in Brazil and seven accessions introduced from different geographic regions of the world were analyzed ...using 25 microsatellite primers, 19 of which were polymorphic and detected between 4 and 10 alleles per locus, with an average of 6.57. The observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.25 and 0.40 in the Rennell Islands Tall (RIT) accession to 0.54 and 0.62 in the Polynesian Tall (PYT) accession. The analysis of genetic structure resulted in the formation of five distinct groups. The first group was formed by the accessions Brazilian Tall-Praia do Forte (BRTPF), Brazilian Tall-Merepe (BRTMe) and West African Tall (WAT); the second group consisted of Malaysian Tall (MLT); the third group of RIT; the fourth group of Vanuatu Tall (VTT); and the fifth group of Rotuman Tall (RTMT), Tonga Tall (TONT) and PYT. The dendrogram based on the nearest-neighbor method detected the formation of two main groups and five subgroups, indicating that the genetic relationships of the accessions are based on their geographic regions of origin. The analyses revealed genetic relationships between the accessions collected in Brazil and the accession from Africa, and among palms from South East Asia and the South Pacific, confirming the common origin of these accessions. The information obtained in this study can guide decisions on germplasm conservation activities and the efficient selection of genetically divergent parents for use in coconut breeding programs in Brazil, which are attempting to select for disease resistance, mainly to lethal yellowing, among other characteristics.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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