949 research outputs found
Biological monitoring of workers exposed to carcinogens using the buccal or nasal micronucleus approach
Sequence-specific transcription factor NF-Y displays histone-like DNA binding and H2B-like ubiquitination
SummaryThe sequence-specific transcription factor NF-Y binds the CCAAT box, one of the sequence elements most frequently found in eukaryotic promoters. NF-Y is composed of the NF-YA and NF-YB/NF-YC subunits, the latter two hosting histone-fold domains (HFDs). The crystal structure of NF-Y bound to a 25 bp CCAAT oligonucleotide shows that the HFD dimer binds to the DNA sugar-phosphate backbone, mimicking the nucleosome H2A/H2B-DNA assembly. NF-YA both binds to NF-YB/NF-YC and inserts an α helix deeply into the DNA minor groove, providing sequence-specific contacts to the CCAAT box. Structural considerations and mutational data indicate that NF-YB ubiquitination at Lys138 precedes and is equivalent to H2B Lys120 monoubiquitination, important in transcriptional activation. Thus, NF-Y is a sequence-specific transcription factor with nucleosome-like properties of nonspecific DNA binding and helps establish permissive chromatin modifications at CCAAT promoters. Our findings suggest that other HFD-containing proteins may function in similar ways
DiMoPEx-project is designed to determine the impacts of environmental exposure on human health
The WHO has ranked environmental hazardous exposures in the living and working
environment among the top risk factors for chronic disease mortality.
Worldwide, about 40 million people die each year from noncommunicable diseases
(NCDs) including cancer, diabetes, and chronic cardiovascular, neurological
and lung diseases. The exposure to ambient pollution in the living and working
environment is exacerbated by individual susceptibilities and lifestyle-driven
factors to produce complex and complicated NCD etiologies. Research addressing
the links between environmental exposure and disease prevalence is key for
prevention of the pandemic increase in NCD morbidity and mortality. However,
the long latency, the chronic course of some diseases and the necessity to
address cumulative exposures over very long periods does mean that it is often
difficult to identify causal environmental exposures. EU-funded COST Action
DiMoPEx is developing new concepts for a better understanding of health-
environment (including gene-environment) interactions in the etiology of NCDs.
The overarching idea is to teach and train scientists and physicians to learn
how to include efficient and valid exposure assessments in their research and
in their clinical practice in current and future cooperative projects. DiMoPEx
partners have identified some of the emerging research needs, which include
the lack of evidence-based exposure data and the need for human-equivalent
animal models mirroring human lifespan and low-dose cumulative exposures.
Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach incorporating seven working groups,
DiMoPEx will focus on aspects of air pollution with particulate matter
including dust and fibers and on exposure to low doses of solvents and
sensitizing agents. Biomarkers of early exposure and their associated effects
as indicators of disease-derived information will be tested and standardized
within individual projects. Risks arising from some NCDs, like pneumoconioses,
cancers and allergies, are predictable and preventable. Consequently,
preventative action could lead to decreasing disease morbidity and mortality
for many of the NCDs that are of major public concern. DiMoPEx plans to
catalyze and stimulate interaction of scientists with policy-makers in
attacking these exposure-related diseases
Capability of Sentinel-2 data for estimating maximum evapotranspiration and irrigation requirements for tomato crop in Central Italy
Abstract The occurrence of water shortages ascribed to projected climate change, especially in the Mediterranean region, fosters the interest in remote sensing (RS) applications to optimize water use in agriculture. Remote sensing evapotranspiration and water demand estimation over large cultivated areas were used to manage irrigation to minimize losses during the crop growing cycle. The research aimed to explore the potential of the MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) sensor on board Sentinel-2A to estimate crop parameters, mainly surface albedo (α) and Leaf Area Index (LAI) that influence the dynamics of potential evapotranspiration (ETp) and Irrigation Water Requirements (IWR) of processing tomato crop (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Maximum tomato ETp was calculated according to the FAO Penman-Monteith equation (FAO-56 PM) using appropriate values of canopy parameters derived by processing Sentinel-2A data in combination with daily weather information. For comparison, we used the actual crop evapotranspiration (ETa) derived from the soil water balance (SWB) module in the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model and calibrated with in-situ Root Zone Soil Moisture (RZSM). The experiment was set up in a privately-owned farm located in the Tarquinia irrigation district (Central Italy) during two growing seasons, within the framework of the EU Project FATIMA (FArming Tools for external nutrient Inputs and water Management). The results showed that canopy growth, maximum evapotranspiration (ETp) and IWR were accurately inferred from satellite observations following seasonal rainfall and air temperature patterns. The net estimated IWR from satellite observations for the two-growing seasons was about 272 and 338âŻmm in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Such estimated requirement was lower compared with the actual amount supplied by the farmer with sprinkler and drip micro-irrigation system in both growing seasons resulting in 364 (276âŻmm drip micro-irrigation, and 88âŻmm sprinkler) and 662 (574âŻmm drip micro-irrigation, and 88âŻmm sprinkler) mm, respectively. Our findings indicated the suitability of Sentinel-2A to predict tomato water demand at field level, providing useful information for optimizing the irrigation over extended farmland
Safety assessment of the substance (butadiene, styrene, methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate) copolymer cross-linked with divinylbenzene or 1,3-butanediol dimethacrylate for use in food contact materials
Publisher PD
Safety assessment of the mixture of methyl-branched and linear C14âC18 alkanamides, derived from fatty acids, for use in food contact materials
Publisher PD
Safety assessment of the process âPEGRA-Vâ, based on Starlinger IV+Âź technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials
Publisher PD
Safety assessment of the process âEREMA Recycling (MPR, Basic and Advanced technologies)â, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials
Publisher PD
Safety assessment of the substance dimethyl carbonate for use in food contact materials
Publisher PD
Safety assessment of the process âPlastienvaseâ, based on EREMA Basic technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials
Publisher PD
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