Teratogenic, oxidative stress and behavioural outcomes of three fungicides of natural origin (Equisetum arvense, mimosa tenuiflora, thymol) on zebrafish (danio rerio)

The improper use of synthetic fungicides has raised public concerns related to environmental pollution and animal health. Over the years, plant-derived antifungals have been investigated as safer alternatives, although little scientific evidence of its neurodevelopmental effects exist. The main objective of this study was to explore the effects of three alternative natural extracts (Equisetum arvense, Mimosa tenuiflora, Thymol) with antifungal properties during the early development of zebrafish by evaluating different teratogenic, oxidative stress and behavioural outcomes. Following the determination of the 96 h-LC50, exposure to sublethal concentrations showed the safety profile of both E. arvense and M. tenuiflora. However, following 96-h exposure to Thymol, increased lethality, pericardial oedema, yolk and eye deformations, and decreased body length were observed. The reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH:GSSG) ratio was increased, and the glutathione-s-transferase activity in the group exposed to the highest Thymol concentration. Overall, these results support a more reducing environment associated with possible effects at the cellular proliferation level. In addition, the disruption of behavioural states (fear-and anxiety-like disorders) were noted, pointing to alterations in the c-Jun N-terminal kinase developmental signalling pathway, although further studies are required to explore this rationale. Notwithstanding, the results provide direct evidence of the teratogenic effects of Thymol, which might have consequences for non-target species.This research was funded by European Investment Funds by FEDER/COMPETE/POCI– Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Programme, under the project POCI-01–0145-FEDER-006958 and National Funds by FCT—“Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia”, under the project UIBD/04033/2020 and under the PhD grant number SFRH/BD/144904/2019

Fair Loss-Tolerant Quantum Coin Flipping

Coin flipping is a cryptographic primitive in which two spatially separated players, who in principle do not trust each other, wish to establish a common random bit. If we limit ourselves to classical communication, this task requires either assumptions on the computational power of the players or it requires them to send messages to each other with sufficient simultaneity to force their complete independence. Without such assumptions, all classical protocols are so that one dishonest player has complete control over the outcome. If we use quantum communication, on the other hand, protocols have been introduced that limit the maximal bias that dishonest players can produce. However, those protocols would be very difficult to implement in practice because they are susceptible to realistic losses on the quantum channel between the players or in their quantum memory and measurement apparatus. In this paper, we introduce a novel quantum protocol and we prove that it is completely impervious to loss. The protocol is fair in the sense that either player has the same probability of success in cheating attempts at biasing the outcome of the coin flip. We also give explicit and optimal cheating strategies for both players.Comment: 12 pages, 1 figure; various minor typos corrected in version

Investigation of stress induced interface states in Al2O3/InGaAs metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors

Implementation of high-k dielectrics on InGaAs for CMOS technology requires capabilities to predict long-time degradation and the impact of process changes on degradation processes. In this work, the degradation under constant voltage stress of metal gate/Al2O3/InGaAs stacks is studied for n-type and p-type As2 passivated InGaAs substrates. The results show that the degradation for both positive bias and negative bias did not produce Al2O3 oxide traps, while the distribution of interface states increased. In particular, the distribution of interface states, calculated by the distributed impedance equivalent circuit model, increased significantly after positive bias stress regardless of the doping type of the substrate. The injection of carriers from the semiconductor conduction band into the gate dielectric enhanced the generation of interface states but not the generation of oxide traps, suggesting that the interfacial degradation is related primarily to the InGaAs surface and not to the oxide layer.Fil: Palumbo, Félix Roberto Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Tecnologica Nacional; ArgentinaFil: Winter, R.. Technion - Israel Institute of Technology; IsraelFil: Tang, K.. University Of Stanford; Estados UnidosFil: McIntyre, P. C.. University Of Stanford; Estados UnidosFil: Eizenberg, M.. Technion - Israel Institute of Technology; Israe

A biorefinery approach to the biomass of the seaweed Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey Suringar, 1873): obtaining phlorotannins-enriched extracts for wound healing

Brown seaweeds are recognized sources of compounds with a wide range of properties and applications. Within these compounds, phlorotannins are known to possess several bioactivities (e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial) with potential to improve wound healing. To obtain phlorotannins enriched extracts from Undaria pinnatifida, a biorefinery was set using lowcost industry-friendly methodologies, such as sequential solid–liquid extraction and liquid–liquid extraction. The obtained extracts were screened for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity against five common wound pathogens and for their anti-inflammatory potential. The ethanolic wash fraction (wE100) had the highest antioxidant activity (114.61 +- 10.04 mmol mg-1 extract by Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 6.56 +-1.13mMeq. Fe II mg-1 extract by and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP)), acting efficiently against Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria, and showing a nitric oxide production inhibition over 47% when used at 0.01 ug mL-1. NMR and FTIR chemical characterization suggested that phlorotannins are present. Obtained fraction wE100 proved to be a promising candidate for further inclusion as wound healing agents, while the remaining fractions analyzed are potential sources for other biotechnological applications, giving emphasis to a biorefinery and circular economy framework to add value to this seaweed and the industry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Multiple single cannulation technique of arteriovenous fistula: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Despite the impact needling has had on vascular access survival and patient outcome, there is no universal or standardized method proposed for proper cannulation. Rigorous studies are needed, examining cannulation practices, and challenges to achieving complication-free cannulation. Methods: This randomized, open-label trial was conducted at 18 dialysis units owned by a large private dialysis provider operating in Portugal. Eligible patients were adults on chronic hemodialysis, with a new arteriovenous fistula (AVF); cannulated for at least 4 weeks complication-free. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of three cannulation techniques (CT): Multiple Single cannulation Technique (MuST), rope-ladder (RLC), and buttonhole (BHC). The primary endpoint was AVF primary patency at 1 year. Findings: One hundred seventy-two patients were enrolled between March 2014 and March 2017. Fifty-nine patients were allocated to MuST, 56 to RLC, and 57 to BHC. MuST and RLC were associated with a better AVF primary patency than BHC. Primary patency at 12 months was 76.3% in MuST, 59.6% in BHC, and 76.8% in RLC group. Mean AVF survival times were 10.5 months (95% CI = 9.6, 11.3) in the MuST group, 10.4 months (95% CI = 9.5, 11.2) in RLC, and 9.5 months (95% CI = 8.6, 10.4) in BHC. BHC was a significant risk predictor for AVF survival with 2.13 times more events than the other two CT (HR 2.13; 95% CI = 1.07, 4.21; p = 0.03). Discussion: MuST was easy to implement without a diagram and there is no need to use blunt needles. This study showed MuST was efficacious and safe in maintaining the longevity of AVF in dialysis patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

[Carotid atherosclerosis and white matter hypodensities: a controversial relationship]

INTRODUCTION: White matter hypodensities of presumed vascular origin, are recognized as an important cause of morbidity with established clinical and cognitive consequences. Nonetheless, many doubts remain on its physiopathology. Our goal is to clarify the potential role of carotid atherosclerosis and other vascular risk factors in the development of white matter hypodensities of presumed vascular origin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included patients that underwent CT brain scan and neurosonologic evaluation within a one-month period. Full assessment of vascular risks factors was performed. We seek to find independent associations between white matter hypodensities of presumed vascular origin, carotid intima-media thickness and vascular risk factors. RESULTS: 472 patients were included, mean age was 67.32 (SD: 14.75), 274 (58.1%) were male. The independent predictors of white matter hypodensities of presumed vascular origin were age (OR: 1.067, 95% IC: 1.049 - 1.086, p < 0.001) and hypertension (OR: 1.726, 95% IC: 1.097 - 2.715, p = 0.018). No association was found between IMT (OR: 2.613, 95% IC: 0.886 - 7.708, p = 0.082) or carotid artery stenosis (OR: 1.021, 95% IC: 0.785 - 1.328, p = 0.877) and white matter hypodensities of presumed vascular origin. DISCUSSION: Only age and hypertension proved to have an independent association with white matter hypodensities of presumed vascular origin. Carotid atherosclerosis, evaluated by IMT and the degree of carotid artery stenosis, showed no association with white matter hypodensities of presumed vascular origin. Since atherosclerosis is a systemic pathology, these results suggest that alternative mechanisms are responsible for the development of white matter hypodensities of presumed vascular origin. CONCLUSION: Age and hypertension seem to be the main factors in the development of white matter hypodensities of presumed vascular origin. No association was found between carotid atherosclerosis and white matter hypodensities of presumed vascular origin

Transcriptomic profiling of skeletal muscle reveals candidate genes influencing muscle growth and associated lipid composition in Portuguese local pig breeds

Gene expression is one of the main factors to influence meat quality by modulating fatty acid metabolism, composition, and deposition rates in muscle tissue. This study aimed to explore the transcriptomics of the Longissimus lumborum muscle in two local pig breeds with distinct genetic background using next-generation sequencing technology and Real-Time qPCR. RNA-seq yielded 49 differentially expressed genes between breeds, 34 overexpressed in the Alentejano (AL) and 15 in the Bísaro (BI) breed. Specific slow type myosin heavy chain components were associated with AL (MYH7) and BI (MYH3) pigs, while an overexpression of MAP3K14 in AL may be associated with their lower loin proportion, induced insulin resistance, and increased inflammatory response via NFkB activation. Overexpression of RUFY1 in AL pigs may explain the higher intramuscular (IMF) content via higher GLUT4 recruitment and consequently higher glucose uptake that can be stored as fat. Several candidate genes for lipid metabolism, excluded in the RNA-seq analysis due to low counts, such as ACLY, ADIPOQ, ELOVL6, LEP and ME1 were identified by qPCR as main gene factors defining the processes that influence meat composition and quality. These results agree with the fatter profile of the AL pig breed and adiponectin resistance can be postulated as responsible for the overexpression of MAP3K140s coding product NIK, failing to restore insulin sensitivity

Na incorporation into Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-film solar cell absorbers deposited on polyimide: Impact on the chemical and electronic surface structure

The following article appeared in Journal of Applied Physics 111.3 (2012): 034903 and may be found at http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/journal/jap/111/3/10.1063/1.3679604Na has deliberately been incorporated into Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGSe) chalcopyrite thin-film solar cell absorbers deposited on Mo-coated polyimide flexible substrates by adding differently thick layers of NaF in-between CIGSe absorber and Mo back contact. The impact of Na on the chemical and electronic surface structure of CIGSe absorbers with various Cu-contents deposited at comparatively low temperature (420 C) has been studied using x-ray photoelectron and x-ray excited Auger electron spectroscopy. We observe a higher Na surface content for the Cu-richer CIGSe samples and can distinguish between two different chemical Na environments, best described as selenide-like and oxidized Na species, respectively. Furthermore, we find a Cu-poor surface composition of the CIGSe samples independent of Na content and - for very high Na contents - indications for the formation of a (Cu,Na)-(In,Ga)-Se like compound. With increasing Na surface content, also a shift of the photoemission lines to lower binding energies could be identified, which we interpret as a reduction of the downward band bending toward the CIGSe surface explained by the Na-induced elimination of In Cu defects.X.S., R.F., D.G., R.G.W., and M.B. are grateful to the Helmholtz-Association for financial support (VH-NG-423). R.F. also acknowledges the support by the German Academic Exchange Agency (DAAD; 331 4 04 002)

Full-field implementation of a perfect eavesdropper on a quantum cryptography system

Quantum key distribution (QKD) allows two remote parties to grow a shared secret key. Its security is founded on the principles of quantum mechanics, but in reality it significantly relies on the physical implementation. Technological imperfections of QKD systems have been previously explored, but no attack on an established QKD connection has been realized so far. Here we show the first full-field implementation of a complete attack on a running QKD connection. An installed eavesdropper obtains the entire 'secret' key, while none of the parameters monitored by the legitimate parties indicate a security breach. This confirms that non-idealities in physical implementations of QKD can be fully practically exploitable, and must be given increased scrutiny if quantum cryptography is to become highly secure.Comment: Revised after editorial and peer-review feedback. This version is published in Nat. Commun. 8 pages, 6 figures, 1 tabl