Versatile peroxidase (VP) from the white-rot fungus Pleurotus eryngii is a high redox potential peroxidase of biotechnological interest able to oxidize a wide range of recalcitrant substrates ...including lignin, phenolic and non-phenolic aromatic compounds and dyes. However, the relatively low stability towards pH of this and other fungal peroxidases is a drawback for their industrial application. A strategy based on the comparative analysis of the crystal structures of VP and the highly pH-stable manganese peroxidase (MnP4) from Pleurotus ostreatus was followed to improve the VP pH stability. Several interactions, including hydrogen bonds and salt bridges, and charged residues exposed to the solvent were identified as putatively contributing to the pH stability of MnP4. The eight amino acid residues responsible for these interactions and seven surface basic residues were introduced into VP by directed mutagenesis. Furthermore, two cysteines were also included to explore the effect of an extra disulfide bond stabilizing the distal Ca2+ region. Three of the four designed variants were crystallized and new interactions were confirmed, being correlated with the observed improvement in pH stability. The extra hydrogen bonds and salt bridges stabilized the heme pocket at acidic and neutral pH as revealed by UV-visible spectroscopy. They led to a VP variant that retained a significant percentage of the initial activity at both pH 3.5 (61% after 24 h) and pH 7 (55% after 120 h) compared with the native enzyme, which was almost completely inactivated. The introduction of extra solvent-exposed basic residues and an additional disulfide bond into the above variant further improved the stability at acidic pH (85% residual activity at pH 3.5 after 24 h when introduced separately, and 64% at pH 3 when introduced together). The analysis of the results provides a rational explanation to the pH stability improvement achieved.
Background
Lack of specific protocols for neonatal donation contributes to the rarity of neonatal donors. In this study, we evaluate the impact of the implementation of a neonatal donation protocol ...in our NICU.
Methods
In this single‐center study, we conducted a retrospective chart review of neonatal deaths in our NICU from January 2013 to January 2022. The study was divided into two periods: before and after the implementation of a neonatal donation protocol. The referral rates of potential neonatal donors to the OPO in the two periods were compared using the chi‐square test. A p value < .05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Sixty‐four infants were reviewed. Seven (10.9%) met the inclusion criteria for potential neonatal donors after DCC. The referral rate of potential neonatal donors increased from 2.5% to 16.7% after the implementation of this protocol (p = .041), and one infant (4.1%) became an effective heart‐valve donor.
Conclusion
The implementation of a local neonatal donation protocol could have contributed to increase the referral rate of potential neonatal donors in our NICU. Following the implementation of a local neonatal donation protocol, we were able to perform a heart‐valve donation for the first time in our unit.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a combined plyometrics and sled training carried out two days a week for 8 weeks. 60 young male soccer players were distributed in 4 groups ...(Under U16) Experimental Group (U16 Exp, n=15) and Control Group (U16 Cont, n=15); and (Under19) U19 Exp, (n=15) and U19 Cont, (n=15). The jump with countermovement (CMJ) was evaluated with Chronojump-Boscosystem® and the time in seconds (sec) in the 10, 20, and 40 m split with FitLight Trainer®. Was calculated a level of significance of p≤0.05, the effect size (ES) and % change. Both experimental groups improved from pre-to pots-test in CMJ U16Exp (p<0.02) and U19Exp (p<0.01) and the 10, 20, and 40 m splits U16Exp (p<0.02, p<0.03, and p<0.01, respectively) and U19Exp (p<0.02, p<0.02, and p<0.01, respectively). Therefore, the combination of football and plyometric and resisted methods can be used for a general development of the neuromuscular capacities of young soccer players.
Resumen. El objetivo fue evaluar los efectos de un entrenamiento combinado de pliometría y arrastres realizado 2 días en semana durante 8 semanas. 60 jugadores jóvenes de fútbol fueron distribuidos en 4 grupos (Cadete (CAD) Grupo Experimental (CADExp n= 15) y Grupo Control (CADCont n= 15) y (Juvenil (JUV) JUVExp n= 15 y JUVCont n= 15. Se evaluó el salto con contramovimiento (CMJ) con Chronojump-Boscosystem® y el tiempo en segundos (seg) en los tramos de 10, 20, y 40 m con FitLight Trainer®. Se calculó en nivel de significación p≤0.05, tamaño del efecto (TE) y % de cambio. Los grupos experimentales mejoraron del pre al pots-test en CMJ CADExp (p<0.02) y JUVExp (p<0.01) y los tramos de 10, 20, y 40 m CADExp (p<0.02, p<0.03, p<0.01, respectivamente) y JUVExp (p<0.02, p<0.02, p<0.01, respectivamente). Por tanto, la combinación de fútbol y métodos pliométricos y resistidos puede utilizarse para un desarrollo general de las capacidades neuromusculares de los futbolistas jóvenes.
O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de uma combinação de pliometria e treinamento de trenó realizados dois dias por semana durante 8 semanas. 60 jovens jogadores de futebol masculino (U16): Grupo Experimental (U16 Exp, n = 15) e Grupo Controle (U16 Con, n = 15); (U19): U19 Exp, (n = 15) e U19 Con, (n = 15). O salto com contra-movimento (CMJ) foi avaliado com Chronojump-Boscosystem® e o tempo em segundos (seg) na divisão de 10-20-40 m com FitLight Trainer®. Foi calculado no nível de significância (p≤0,05), tamanho do efeito (ES) e% de mudança. Ambos os grupos experimentais melhoraram do pré ao teste de vasos no CMJ U16Exp (p <0,02; ES: 0,41;%: 2,09); U19Exp (p & lt; 0,01; ES: 0,56;%: 5,11) e as divisões de 10-20-40 m U16Exp (10 m: p <0,02; ES: 0,46;%: 2,98; 20 m: p <0,03; ES : 0,51;%: 2,11; 40 m: p & lt; 0,01; ES: 0,55;%: 4,03) e U19Exp (10 m: p <0,02; ES: 0,49;%: 5,64; 20 m: p <0,02; ES: 0,48 ;%: 4,05; 40 m: p <0,01; ES: 0,47;%: 2,11). A combinação do protocolo pliométrico e de trenó proposto tem sido um método ideal para produzir melhorias no desempenho do salto vertical e na velocidade linear em jovens jogadores de futebol.
El objetivo fue evaluar los efectos de un entrenamiento combinado de pliometría y arrastres realizado 2 días en semana durante 8 semanas. 60 jugadores jóvenes de fútbol fueron distribuidos en 4 grupos (Cadete (CAD) Grupo Experimental (CADExp n= 15) y Grupo Control (CADCont n= 15) y (Juvenil (JUV) JUVExp n= 15 y JUVCont n= 15. Se evaluó el salto con contramovimiento (CMJ) con Chronojump-Boscosystem® y el tiempo en segundos (seg) en los tramos de 10, 20, y 40 m con FitLight Trainer®. Se calculó en nivel de significación p≤0.05, tamaño del efecto (TE) y % de cambio. Los grupos experimentales mejoraron del pre al pots-test en CMJ CADExp (p<0.02) y JUVExp (p<0.01) y los tramos de 10, 20, y 40 m CADExp (p<0.02, p<0.03, p<0.01, respectivamente) y JUVExp (p<0.02, p<0.02, p<0.01, respectivamente). Por tanto, la combinación de fútbol y métodos pliométricos y resistidos puede utilizarse para un desarrollo general de las capacidades neuromusculares de los futbolistas jóvenes.
Tourist activity has a number of impacts on the destinations in which it takes place, among which are the environmental ones. A particular problem is the increase in water demand and wastewater ...production, which can compromise the balance of ecosystems. As many authors point out, there is a research gap in the comparative analysis between available water resources and the demand associated with tourism. In this respect, the main objective of this work is, on the one hand, to assess the water needs linked to the tourism industry and the capacity of natural resources to meet such a demand and, on the other hand, to estimate the economic cost of the water supply associated with the growing tourist demand in a territory, such as the island of Ibiza in Spain. It has been determined that the resources available are not sufficient to meet the water demand of the resident population at this destination, which is why it is necessary to resort to producing desalinated water. Therefore, the additional requirements associated with tourism must be met fully with desalinated water, which results in an increased cost of water management for the region. This paper also points at water losses in distribution networks and tourism seasonality as two phenomena that aggravate this issue.
The aim of this work was to evaluate two functional feeds for the gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata, containing low inclusion of two microalgae-based products (LB-GREENboost, LB
; and LB-GUThealth, LB
...). Fish (12-13 g) were fed for 13 weeks a control diet or one of the four diets supplemented with both products at 0.5% or 1%. LB
and LB
did not affect specific growth rate or survival, but increased feed efficiency by decreasing feed intake and enlarging the intestines. LB
increased hepatosomatic index and reduced cortisol levels in plasma, while both products lowered plasma lactate. Extensive metabolite and metabolic enzyme profiling revealed that microalgae supplementations, especially 1% LB
: (i) decrease plasma lactate and increase hepatic glycogen, (ii) reduce hepatic gluconeogenesis, (iii) enhance hepatic lipogenic activity and lipid secretion, (iv) led fish to double triglyceride content in muscle and to stimulate its lipid oxidative capacity, and (v) increase the content of monounsaturated fatty acids and the omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid in muscle. This study demonstrates that both microalgae-based products are suited to improve feed efficiency and orchestrate significant changes in the intermediary metabolism in gilthead seabream juveniles.
Further positive social and economic development (SED) requires modelling and analysis for evaluating its results to ground directions for future development. The purpose of the paper is to study the ...problem of estimating of SED, to form the methodology for modelling its results and to create an aggregated econometric indicator within the framework of unified conceptual approach for the European Union (EU) countries. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to solve the following objectives: to determine the essence of the concept of SED, to study traditional approaches to measure SED, to give an overview of the DP2 modelling method, to discover and structure the elements of SED in the EU countries and to argue a conceptual approach to modelling its outcomes. The study is based on the method of mathematical modelling in economics based on Distance P2 method. Econometric modelling, as well as regression analyze, was used to develop a synthetic indicator DP2 for evaluating SED of the EU countries. Also, the research process was based on analysis, synthesis and the system approach for information processing, as well as on the method of comparative and statistical analysis, quality and quantity analysis. The results of the deep research showed that there is no unified approach to modelling SED. The Distance P2 method was first proposed to measure SED at the national level exactly for the EU. The methodology for measuring SED specifically for the EU countries based on the conceptual approach was developed and substantiated. Based on the proposed methodology and taking into account the special characteristics of the region studied - the social and economic DP2 indicator for the EU countries was created. This study proposes to build a synthetic indicator DP2 to model results of progress in SED, especially in the EU. The practical implications of the synthetic indicator DP2 for modelling and analysis of SED of the EU countries can be a prospect for further research. Applied aspect of these studies is advising the EU's public policy with the aim of advancing. Using the DP2 synthetic indicator of SED for the EU countries will identify and substantiate the main directions for developing the country's domestic policy to improve the quality of life of the populations. Also, the results of the study can be used for advisory purposes to develop and optimize the EU development strategy 2020-2030. The value and originality of the paper lie in further application of the methodology of modelling the SED of the EU countries through synthetic indicator DP2. This will expand opportunities for increasing the national economy’s efficiency, that is highly important in terms of increased international competition.
A 90-d feeding trial was conducted in which five groups of gilthead seabream (11.96 g initial body weight) were fed with a microalgae-free diet (control group, C) or four diets containing the ...microalgae
at two inclusion levels (2.5% or 5%), either raw (R2.5 and R5 batches) or cellulose-hydrolyzed (H2.5 and H5 batches), to study their effect on the body and muscle growth. At 40 days, the highest values of body length and weight were reached in R5 group, but at 64 and 90 days, these were reached in R2.5. However, feed conversion rate, specific growth, daily intake, and survival (100%) were similar in all the groups. The acquisition of a discoid body shape was accelerated depending on the inclusion level of
in the diets. Moreover, H5 diet affected the fish geometric morphology compared to R5 diet. The white muscle transverse area was similar in all groups at 40 days, with the exception of H2.5 group, which showed the lowest area. At day 90, C and R2.5 displayed the highest muscle growth, attributable to increased hyperplasia in C, and higher hypertrophy in R2.5. However, the highest proportion of small and medium fibers was observed in R5 and H5.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global health problem with different negative consequences for women’s mental health. This pilot study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a multicomponent ...intervention for battered women using a comparison group design to analyze improvement in self-esteem, self-concept, self-efficacy, body dissatisfaction, and depression. The intervention consisted of an eight-session multicomponent intervention program based on the combination of group psychological therapy and adventure activities. The study sample originally consisted of 34 women IPV victims. Self-report psychological assessment was conducted during the pre-test and post-test while interviews were conducted during the post-test among the experimental group. The results of this pilot study suggest the efficacy of the cognitive-behavioral multicomponent intervention on self-esteem, self-efficacy, and depression in the IPV victims from the experimental group. We conclude that these findings support the efficacy of this psychological intervention program. Practical implications and suggestions are also discussed.
The main goal of this study is to analyse whether the source of capital in foreign participation in the domestic banking markets of countries that joined the EU efter 2004 irjluences the evolution of ...efficiency levels in domestic banks and, consequently, the efficiency levels within these markets. It assesses the level of activity cjforeign commercial banks in the aftermath of the 2008 - 2012financial crisis and explores its relationship with banking sector efficiency. The study focuses on 13 countries, including Central European, South-Eastern European and Baltic states. Using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method, the research aims to determine whether foreign banks have gained or lost ir, jluence in these markets and the foreign countries that have the best performing banks in these markets. Furthermore, it provides insights into the potential ir,jluence of sources cjforeign capital on the overall performance of domestic banking markets, indicating how competition could drive high-achieving foreign banks to outperform in their established markets.
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