Hydroxyphenyl-pyranoanthocyanins are one of the pyranoanthocyanins found in red wines and some fruit juices. Since they have a fourth ring (pyran or ring D) which provides higher color intensity and ...exceptional stability toward pH variations in comparison to their anthocyanin precursors, these molecules are one of the most important candidates as natural colorants especially for low- and medium-acidic food and beverages. However, their isolation and characterization are difficult due to their very low concentration. In this study, we co-cultured recombinant E. coli strains to synthesize pyranoanthocyanins with improved titers and yields. To accomplish this task, firstly we engineered 4-vinylphenol and 4-vinylcatechol producer modules then we co-cultured each one of these strains with cyanidin-3-O-glucoside producer recombinant cells to obtain pyranocyanidin-3-O-glucoside-phenol (cyanidin-3-O-glucoside with vinylphenol adduct) and pyranocyanidin-3-O-glucoside-catechol (cyanidin-3-O-glucoside with vinylcatechol adduct). By optimizing the co-culture conditions, we were able to significantly increase final titers and yields, allowing our co-culture approach to easily outperform production of pyranoanthocyanins from red wine. Finally, we demonstrate that the produced pyranoanthocyanins are far more stable than the starting plant-produced cyanidin 3-O-glucoside.
•A co-culture scheme was developed to produce complex pyranoanthocyanins.•The highest pyranocyanidin-3-O-glucoside-phenol production titer achieved was 19.5 mg/L.•The highest pyranocyanidin-3-O-glucoside-catechol production titer achieved was 13 mg/L.•Pyranoanthocyanins produced using this approach are significantly more stable than common, plant-produced anthocyanins.
Adenanthera pavonina
is a medicinal species, which economic value depends on the richness of its phytocompounds. Extreme climatic conditions are becoming frequent worldwide, but despite their impact ...on plant productivity these weather events also modulate plants’ metabolism increasing the production of important phytocompounds. We aimed to characterize the physiological and metabolite adjustments in
A. pavonina
leaves induced by drought and UV-B radiation. Plants were exposed to drought (DS), UV-B radiation (UV-B), and drought + UV-B (DS + UV-B), and photosynthesis, lipophilic metabolites, and antioxidant status were evaluated. The stress conditions compromised the photosynthetic performance and induced oxidative stress (DS and UV-B plants). However, plants activated protective mechanisms (increased antioxidant activity and flavonoids in all treatments, total phenols in DS and DS + UV-B, and catechols in UV-B and DS + UV-B) and modulated their lipophilic profiles (accumulation of fatty acids and TCA cycle-related metabolites, and reduction of carbohydrates) to cope with the stress. We demonstrate for the first time that DS and UV-B radiation can enrich
A. pavonina
leaves with antioxidants and fatty acids increasing their medicinal value.
A sensometric approach for the identification of sensory descriptors that characterize milk samples added with whey was investigated. Sweet cheese whey (pH=6.59, nonfat dry=8.06% w/w) was added to ...raw milk in increasing concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% v/v), and then submitted to quantitative descriptive analysis. The data treated used multivariate statistical methods, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Some inconsistent results were reported during the evaluation of the samples, suggesting problems along the panel member training and/or lack of concentration, motivation along the test. Our results suggest chemometric methods allied to descriptive sensory tests present limited contribution to investigate authenticity of milk due the presence of cheese whey. This aspect compromising the performance the multivariate analysis, which findings should be face as tendency.
•Sensometric approach to identify cheese whey in milk•Inconsistent findings were observed.•Instrumental methodologies are the most appropriated option.
Chemokines have been shown to play immune-modulatory functions unrelated to steering cell migration. CXCL4 is a chemokine abundantly produced by activated platelets and immune cells. Increased levels ...of circulating CXCL4 are associated with immune-mediated conditions, including systemic sclerosis. Considering the central role of dendritic cells (DCs) in immune activation, in this article we addressed the effect of CXCL4 on the phenotype and function of monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs). To this end, we compared innate and adaptive immune responses of moDCs with those that were differentiated in the presence of CXCL4. Already prior to TLR- or Ag-specific stimulation, CXCL4-moDCs displayed a more matured phenotype. We found that CXCL4 exposure can sensitize moDCs for TLR-ligand responsiveness, as illustrated by a dramatic upregulation of CD83, CD86, and MHC class I in response to TLR3 and TLR7/8-agonists. Also, we observed a markedly increased secretion of IL-12 and TNF-α by CXCL4-moDCs exclusively upon stimulation with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, R848, and CL075 ligands. Next, we analyzed the effect of CXCL4 in modulating DC-mediated T cell activation. CXCL4-moDCs strongly potentiated proliferation of autologous CD4
T cells and CD8
T cells and production of IFN-γ and IL-4, in an Ag-independent manner. Although the internalization of Ag was comparable to that of moDCs, Ag processing by CXCL4-moDCs was impaired. Yet, these cells were more potent at stimulating Ag-specific CD8
T cell responses. Together our data support that increased levels of circulating CXCL4 may contribute to immune dysregulation through the modulation of DC differentiation.
Background
Remote ischemic preconditioning (rIPC) has been applied to attenuate tissue injury. We tested the hypothesis that rIPC applied to fetal lambs undergoing cardiac bypass (CB) reduces fetal ...systemic inflammation and placental dysfunction.
Methods
Eighteen fetal lambs were divided into three groups: sham, CB control, and CB rIPC. CB rIPC fetuses had a hindlimb tourniquet applied to occlude blood flow for four cycles of a 5‐min period, followed by a 2‐min reperfusion period. Both study groups underwent 30 min of normothermic CB. Fetal inflammatory markers, gas exchange, and placental and fetal lung morphological changes were assessed.
Results
The CB rIPC group achieved higher bypass flow rates (p < .001). After CB start, both study groups developed significant decreases in PaO2, mixed acidosis, and increased lactate levels (p < .0004). No significant differences in tissular edema were observed on fetal lungs and placenta (p > .391). Expression of Toll‐like receptor 4 and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 in the placenta and fetal lungs did not differ among the three groups, as well as with vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) of fetal lungs (p > .225). Placental VCAM‐1 expression was lower in the rIPC group (p < .05). Fetal interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) levels were lower at 60 min post‐CB in the CB rIPC group (p < .05). There were no significant differences in tumor necrosis factor‐α, prostaglandin E2, IL‐6, and IL‐10 plasma levels of the three groups at 60‐min post‐bypass (p > .133).
Conclusion
Although rIPC allowed increased blood flow during fetal CB and decreased IL‐1 and TXA2 levels and placental VCAM‐1, it did not prevent placental dysfunction in fetal lambs undergoing CB.
Measuring cortisol levels as a stress biomarker is essential in many medical conditions associated with a high risk of metabolic syndromes such as anxiety and cardiovascular diseases, among others. ...One technology that has a growing interest in recent years is fiber optic biosensors that enable ultrasensitive cortisol detection. Such interest is allied with progress being achieved in basic interrogation, accuracy improvements, and novel applications. The development of improved cortisol monitoring, with a simplified manufacturing process, high reproducibility, and low cost, are challenges that these sensing mechanisms still face, and for which solutions are still needed. In this paper, a comprehensive characterization of a D-shaped fiber optic immunosensor for cortisol detection based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) enabled by gold coating is reported. Specifically, the sensor instrumentation and fabrication processes are discussed in detail, and a simulation with its complete mathematical formalism is also presented. Moreover, experimental cortisol detection tests were performed for a detection range of 0.01 to 100 ng/mL, attaining a logarithmic sensitivity of 0.65 ± 0.02 nm/log(ng/mL) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.46 ng/mL. Additionally, an investigation of signal processing is also discussed, with the main issues addressed in order to highlight the best way to extract the sensing information from the spectra measured with a D-shaped sensor.
During disturbed periods, E region electric fields can cause anomalous Es layer behavior, which is observed in the digital ionosonde data. To investigate the influence of these electric fields in the ...Es layer development, we analyzed a set of 20 magnetic storms from 2015 to 2018 over Boa Vista (BV, 2.8°N, 60.7°W, dip ∼18°), São Luís (SLZ, 2.3°S, 44.2°W, dip ∼8°), and Cachoeira Paulista (CXP, 22.41°S, 45°W, dip ∼35°). The electric field zonal components during the main and recovery phases of each magnetic storm are computed to study the corresponding characteristics of these Es seen in ionograms. Additionally, a numerical model (MIRE, Portuguese acronym for E Region Ionospheric Model) is used to analyze the Es layer dynamics modification around disturbed times. Using observation data and simulations, we were able to establish a threshold value for the electric field intensity for each region that can affect the Es layer formation. The results sustain that the strong Es layer in BV can be an indicator of the disturbed dynamo event. At SLZ, on the other hand, the Es layers are affected by the competition mechanisms of their formation, as equatorial electrojet irregularities and winds, during the main phase of the magnetic storm. Over CXP, the Es layer dynamics are dominated by the wind shear mechanism. Finally, this study provides new insights into the real impact of the electric field in the Es layer development over the Brazilian sector. Thus, our results lead to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms related to the Es layer formation and dynamics.
Key Points
Digisonde data and modeling results are used to study the disturbed electric field influence in the Es layer formation
The electric fields and Es layers are analyzed during days around 20 magnetic storms for regions near the geographic/magnetic equator and for a low‐latitude station
The results show that the electric field influence in Es layer development depends on the region's characteristics
Xylitol can be obtained from hemicelullosic fraction of lignocellulosic materials containing
d-xylose. A problem associated with the fermentation of hemicellulosic sugars to xylitol is the presence ...of a broad range of compounds, which inhibit the fermenting microorganisms. These inhibitors can be removed from the hydrolysate by a detoxification method, prior to fermentation. This study describes different detoxification methods of eucalyptus residues hydrolysate to improve xylitol production by
Candida guilliermondii. The changes in the concentrations of fermentable sugars and four groups of inhibitory compounds were determined and the fermentability of detoxified hydrolysates was assayed. The applied detoxification methods include: treatment with active charcoal and four different resins (cationic and anionic) in sequence. Ion exchange resins were more efficient than activated charcoal to remove all four major groups of inhibitory compounds without sugar loss. The ion exchange detoxification drastically enhanced the fermentability of the hydrolysate. Under the best assayed operating conditions, 32.7
g/L of xylitol were achieved after 48
h fermentation, which correspond to 0.68
g/L
h volumetric productivity and 0.57
g/g xylitol yield factor. In addition, it was verified that low concentrations of acetic acid can have a benefical effect on xylitol productivity.
In this study, videothermometry's application in detecting mammary tumors in dogs is explored in-depth. The research hypothesizes that this technique can effectively identify cancerous tissues during ...surgery by analyzing thermal patterns. The methodology involved comparing thermal imaging results from dogs with palpable mammary nodules against a control group, focusing on capturing real-time thermal patterns. Results were significant, showing distinct thermal patterns in carcinomas. This indicates videothermometry's capability in accurately identifying micro metastases and differentiating between neoplastic and non-neoplastic changes. The study concludes that videothermometry has considerable potential in enhancing surgical precision, especially in tumor resection and safety margin definition, but emphasizes the need for further research to thoroughly understand the thermal signatures of various mammary tumors in dogs.
Aim
The effect of muscular training, abdominal massage and diaphragmatic breathing was compared with medical treatment in a prospective randomized trial of patients with chronic functional ...constipation.
Method
Patients aged 4–18 years old with functional constipation according to the Rome III criteria were randomized to physiotherapy or medical treatment. In the physiotherapy group, exercises (isometric training of the abdominal muscles, diaphragmatic breathing exercises and abdominal massage) were employed during 12 40‐min sessions twice a week by a trained physiotherapist, with laxatives. Patients in the medication group were only given laxatives. Primary outcome measures were frequency of defaecation and faecal incontinence. The analysis was performed by intention‐to‐treat.
Results
After 6 weeks of treatment, the frequency of bowel movements was higher in the physiotherapy group 5.1 (2.1) days/week than in the medication group 3.9 (2.0) days/week (P = 0.01). The frequency of faecal incontinence was no different between the groups 3.6 (1.9) days/week vs 3.0 (2.1) days/week (P = 0.31).
Conclusion
The combined use of isometric training of abdominal muscles, breathing exercises and abdominal massage increased defaecation frequency after 6 weeks but faecal incontinence remained unchanged. Physiotherapy may be a useful treatment for constipation.
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