Production and Purification of Cellulase from Aspergillus nidulans AJSU04 under Solid-state Fermentation using Coir Pith

The present study deals with the production of cellulase from coir pith accumulated as waste with the aid of Aspergillus nidulans AJSU04 and the subsequent conversion of the residual coir pith into suitable biofertilizer for the increased yield of Solanum lycopersicum. Alkaline pretreatment using NaOH is used to delignify the feed stock material (coir pith). The experiments were carried out under solid state conditions employing coir pith with 60 % moisture content, pH 5, temperature of 40 °C for 11 days. The extract drawn was purified using ammonium sulphate salt precipitation, dialysis, ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. Aspergillus nidulans AJSU04 was seen to exhibit endo-β-1,4-glucanase, exo-β-1,4-glucanase and 1,4-β-glucosidase components of cellulase. The residual coir pith was converted into biofertilizer or coir pith waste compost (CWC) using Azobacter chroococcum, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus mucilaginosus

Dynamic thermal treatments in green coconut water induce dynamic stress adaptation of listeria innocua that increases its thermal resistance

The global coconut water market is projected to grow in the upcoming years, attributed to its numerous health benefits. However, due to its susceptibility to microbial contamination and the limitations of non-thermal decontamination methods, thermal treatments remain the primary approach to ensure the shelf-life stability and the microbiological safety of the product. In this study, the thermal inactivation of Listeria innocua, a Listeria monocytogenes surrogate, was evaluated in coconut water and in tryptone soy broth (TSB) under both isothermal (50–60 °C) and dynamic conditions (from 30 to 60 °C, with temperature increases of 0.5, 1 and 5 °C/min). Mathematical models were used to analyse the inactivation data. The Geeraerd model effectively described the thermal inactivation of L. innocua in both TSB and coconut water under isothermal conditions, with close agreement between experimental data and model fits. Parameter estimates and analysis revealed that acidified TSB is a suitable surrogate medium for studying the thermal inactivation of L. innocua in coconut water, despite minor differences observed in the shoulder length of inactivation curves, likely attributed to the media composition. The models fitted to the data obtained at isothermal conditions fail to predict L. innocua responses under dynamic conditions. This is attributed to the stress acclimation phenomenon that takes place under dynamic conditions, where bacterial cells adapt to initial sub-lethal treatment stages, leading to increased thermal resistance. Fitting the Bigelow model directly to dynamic data with fixed z-values reveals a three-fold increase in D-values with lower heating rates, supporting the role of stress acclimation. The findings of this study aid in designing pasteurization treatments targeting L. innocua in coconut water and enable the establishment of safe, mild heat treatments for refrigerated, high-quality coconut water

Formación continuada en un equipo de atención primaria: análisis de las sesiones docentes 1996-1998

ObjetivoDescribir las sesiones docentes de un equipo de atención primaria en el trienio 1996-1998. Identificar los profesionales que las realizaron, así como estudiar las áreas del conocimiento abordadas.DiseñoEstudio descriptivo transversal, retrospectivo.EmplazamientoCentro de salud docente perteneciente a una zona de salud rural.ParticipantesTotal de sesiones docentes realizadas durante el trienio estudiado (n = 249).IntervencionesDe la hoja de registro mensual del programa de formación continuada de nuestra gerencia, se extrajeron las siguientes variables: fecha actividad, duración, número de asistentes, tipo de sesión, profesional docente y contenido de actividad (clasificada por patología según órganos y sistemas para sesión bibliográfica, clínica y con experto; cartera servicios de atención primaria-INSALUD 1996 para sesión sobre programa; informática).Mediciones y resultados principalesSesiones por mes: media 6,9 (DE, 4,8). Media asistentes: 9,3 (DE, 3,01). Duración media: 36,5 minutos (DE, 11,0). Tipo de sesión: bibliográfica, 65,2%; sobre programa, 18; sesión con experto, 7,2; informática, 5,6; clínica, 4. Responsables docentes: médico residente, 39,4%; médico de familia tutor, 34,9; médico de familia no tutor, 7,2; ATS, 6,4; médico hospitalario, 4; médico de familia sustituto, 3,6; farmacéutico, 2,8; pediatra, 1,2; fisioterapeuta, 0,4. Contenido actividades más frecuentes: patología general inespecífica, 16,1%; enfermedades de la piel, 8,8, y enfermedades del sistema endocrino, 7,6%.ConclusionesBaja frecuencia de sesiones clínicas. Los responsables docentes fueron mayoritariamente médicos de familia tutores y médicos residentes, siendo escasa la participación del resto de personal.ObjectivesTo describe the teaching sessions of a primary care team in the three-year period 1996-1998. To identify the professionals who ran them and study the areas of knowledge tackled. Design. A retrospective, cross-over, descriptive study.SettingTeaching health centre belonging to a rural health district.ParticipantsAll the teaching sessions that took place during the three-year period (n = 249). Interventions. The following variables were extracted from the monthly register sheet of the ongoing training programme of our management: date of activity, duration, number attending, type of session, teaching professional and contents of activity (classified by pathology according to organs and systems for bibliographic, clinical and expert sessions; portfolio of 1996 Primary Care- INSALUD services for session on programme; computer studies).Measurements and main resultsMean sessions per month: 6.9 (SD: 4.8). Mean attendance: 9.3 persons (SD: 3.01). Mean length: 36.5 minutes (SD: 11.0). Type of session: bibliographic 65.2%, on programme 18%, session with expert 7.2%, computer studies 5.6%, clinical 4%. Responsible for teaching: intern 39.4%; family doctor tutor 34.9%; family doctor not a tutor 7.2%; nurse 6.4%; hospital doctor 4%; locum family doctor 3.6%; pharmacist 2.8%; paediatrician 1.2%; physiotherapist 0.4%. Most common contents: non-specific general pathology (16.1%), skin diseases (8.8%), diseases of the endocrine system (7.6%).ConclusionsLow frequency of clinical sessions. The teachers in charge were mainly family doctor tutors and interns, with the rest of the staff participating little

Transcriptomic analysis reveals an association of FCGBP with Parkinson’s disease

Transcriptomics in Parkinson’s disease (PD) offers new insights into the molecular mechanism of PD pathogenesis. Several pathways, such as inflammation and protein degradation, have been identified by differential gene expression analysis. Our aim was to identify gene expression differences underlying the disease etiology and the discovery of pre-symptomatic risk biomarkers for PD from a multicenter study in the context of the PROPAG-AGEING project. We performed RNA sequencing from 47 patients with de novo PD, 10 centenarians, and 65 healthy controls. Using identified differentially expressed genes, functional annotations were assigned using gene ontology to unveil significant enriched biological processes. The expression of 16 selected genes was validated using OpenArray® assays and samples from independent cohorts of 201 patients with advanced PD, 340 healthy siblings of PD patients, and 177 healthy controls. Differential gene expression analysis identified higher FCGBP expression in patients with de novo PD compared with healthy controls and compared with centenarians. Furthermore, FCGBP showed no differences in terms of population origin or aging process. The increased FCGBP expression was validated in patients with advanced PD and their siblings. Thus, we provided evidence for an upregulation of FCGBP mRNA levels not only in patients with PD but also in individuals at putative higher risk of PD, suggesting that it could be important in gut–brain PD interaction, mediating the connection between microbiota and intestinal inflammatory processes, as well as neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration

A Physically-Based Model of Heat Pump Water Heaters for Demand Respose Policies: Evaluation and Testing

The development of Demand Response in residential segments is basic to develop a practical flexibility of demand, because these segments account for up to 40% of the overall demand. Energy Efficiency is another concern for these segments, but unfortunately present scenarios lack a practical coordination between Efficiency and Demand Response. This paper deals with an important problem in residential Demand Response: the determination of the flexibility and response on the demand-side, in this case through loads which can have a high potential for Demand Response and also a considerable interest for energy savings: Heat Pump Water Heaters. A residential load has been fully monitored (temperature, consumption, water flow) in the laboratory to obtain a Physically-Based Model which allows the evaluation of Demand Response options. Moreover, the model helps the aggregator obtain how the flexibility of demand (power, energy, energy payback or rebound effects) can be modified or limited, and how to deal with these characteristics and limitations to engage customers in Electricity Markets

Online cognitive-based intervention for depression: exploring possible circularity in mechanisms of change.

Background. This study investigates possible circularity in mechanisms of change in participants of Master Your Mood (MYM), a cognitive-based, online intervention for young adults with depressive symptoms. A previous study showed that MYM effectively reduced depression and anxiety and strengthened mastery

Tight blood pressure control decreases apoptosis during renal damage

Tight blood pressure control decreases apoptosis during renal damage.BackgroundAn excess rate of apoptosis could lead to the gradual loss of renal mass. In this study, we investigated the role of apoptosis in the renal damage secondary to hypertension.MethodsSpontaneously hypertensive rats with 5/6 renal mass reduction (subtotal nephrectomy) were distributed to receive no-treatment, 200mg/L quinapril, 360mg/L losartan, or triple therapy (200mg/L hydralazine, 4mg/L reserpine, and 100mg/L hydrochlorothiazide) for 5weeks. Sham-operated spontaneously hypertensive rats served as controls. Age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, with or without subtotal nephrectomy, were also studied.ResultsNontreated spontaneously hypertensive rats + subtotal nephrectomy developed proteinuria, glomerular sclerosis, and tubulointerstitial lesions. In comparison to spontaneously hypertensive rats, an increment in the number of [proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)]-positive and apoptotic [terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (Tdt)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL)]-positive tubular and glomerular cells was observed. By contrast, WKY + subtotal nephrectomy rats showed less severe morphologic lesions, and only the number of proliferating cells increased. By Western blot, an up-regulation of renal Bax (apoptosis inducer) was noted both in spontaneously hypertensive rats + subtotal nephrectomy and WKY + subtotal nephrectomy rats. By contrast, Bcl-xL (apoptosis protector) was up-regulated in WKY + subtotal nephrectomy rats but not in spontaneously hypertensive rats + subtotal nephrectomy. The administration of appropriate doses of quinapril, losartan, or triple therapy to spontaneously hypertensive rats + subtotal nephrectomy normalized systolic blood pressure, partially prevented proteinuria, renal lesions and apoptosis, and decreased Bax, but no changes were noted in Bcl-xL. The Bax/Bcl-xL index was significantly increased in spontaneously hypertensive rats + subtotal nephrectomy compared to sham-operated spontaneously hypertensive rats and decreased in treated groups.ConclusionThe combination of renal mass reduction and hypertension caused severe renal lesions associated to an increment of apoptosis rate, mainly in tubular epithelial cells. Tight blood pressure control decreased the apoptosis rate and morphologic lesions. These studies suggest that changes in the expression of apoptosis-regulatory genes contribute to the progressive damage in hypertensive rats with renal mass reduction

Drp1 overexpression induces desmin disassembling and drives kinesin-1 activation promoting mitochondrial trafficking in skeletal muscle

Mitochondria change distribution across cells following a variety of pathophysiological stimuli. The mechanisms presiding over this redistribution are yet undefined. In a murine model overexpressing Drp1 specifically in skeletal muscle, we find marked mitochondria repositioning in muscle fibres and we demonstrate that Drp1 is involved in this process. Drp1 binds KLC1 and enhances microtubule-dependent transport of mitochondria. Drp1-KLC1 coupling triggers the displacement of KIF5B from kinesin-1 complex increasing its binding to microtubule tracks and mitochondrial transport. High levels of Drp1 exacerbate this mechanism leading to the repositioning of mitochondria closer to nuclei. The reduction of Drp1 levels decreases kinesin-1 activation and induces the partial recovery of mitochondrial distribution. Drp1 overexpression is also associated with higher cyclin-dependent kinase-1 (Cdk-1) activation that promotes the persistent phosphorylation of desmin at Ser-31 and its disassembling. Fission inhibition has a positive effect on desmin Ser-31 phosphorylation, regardless of Cdk-1 activation, suggesting that induction of both fission and Cdk-1 are required for desmin collapse. This altered desmin architecture impairs mechanotransduction and compromises mitochondrial network stability priming mitochondria transport through microtubule-dependent trafficking with a mechanism that involves the Drp1-dependent regulation of kinesin-1 complex

Unjamming overcomes kinetic and proliferation arrest in terminally differentiated cells and promotes collective motility of carcinoma

During wound repair, branching morphogenesis and carcinoma dissemination, cellular rearrangements are fostered by a solid-to-liquid transition, known as unjamming. The biomolecular machinery behind unjamming and its pathophysiological relevance remain, however, unclear. Here, we study unjamming in a variety of normal and tumorigenic epithelial two-dimensional (2D) and 3D collectives. Biologically, the increased level of the small GTPase RAB5A sparks unjamming by promoting non-clathrin-dependent internalization of epidermal growth factor receptor that leads to hyperactivation of the kinase ERK1/2 and phosphorylation of the actin nucleator WAVE2. This cascade triggers collective motility effects with striking biophysical consequences. Specifically, unjamming in tumour spheroids is accompanied by persistent and coordinated rotations that progressively remodel the extracellular matrix, while simultaneously fluidizing cells at the periphery. This concurrent action results in collective invasion, supporting the concept that the endo-ERK1/2 pathway is a physicochemical switch to initiate collective invasion and dissemination of otherwise jammed carcinoma

PMT gain calibration and monitoring based on highly compressed hit information in KM3NeT

The cubic-kilometre neutrino telescope, consisting of large-scale 3D-arrays of photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) currently under construction on the Mediterranean seabed, relies on accurate calibration procedures in order to answer its science goals. These proceedings present an overview of a novel gain calibration method based on highly compressed PMT hit information. In particular, it is shown that the PMT gains can be tuned to within 2% of the nominal value, based on the measured time-over-threshold.Article signat per 297 autors/es: M.Ageron, S. Aiello, A. Albert, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, Z. Aly, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, G. Androulakis, M. Anghinolfi, M. Anguita, G. Anton, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, W. Assal, J. Aublin, C. Bagatelas, B. Baret, S. Basegmez du Pree, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati, E. Berbee, A. M. van den Berg, V. Bertin, S. Beurthey, V. van Beveren, S. Biagi, M. Billault, M. Bissinger, M. Boettcher, M. Bou Cabo, J. Boumaaza, M. Bouta, C. Boutonnet, G. Bouvet, M. Bouwhuis, C. Bozza, H.Brânzas, R. Bruijn, J. Brunner, R. Bruno, E. Buis, R. Buompane, J. Busto, B. Caiffi, L. Caillat, D. Calvo, S. Campion, A. Capone, H. Carduner, V. Carretero, P. Castaldi, S. Celli;, R. Cereseto, M. Chabab, C. Champion, N. Chau, A. Chen, S. Cherubini, V. Chiarella, T. Chiarusi, M. Circella, R. Cocimano, J. A. B. Coelho, A. Coleiro, M. Colomer Molla, S. Colonges, R. Coniglione, A. Cosquer, P. Coyle, M. Cresta, A. Creuso, A. Cruz, G. Cuttone, A. D’Amico, R. Dallier, B. De Martino, M. De Palma, I. Di Palma, A. F. Díaz, D. Diego- Tortosa, C. Distefano, A. Domi, C. Donzaud, D. Dornic, M. Dörr, D. Drouhin, T. Eberl, A. Eddyamoui, T. van Eeden, D. van Eijk, I. El Bojaddaini, H. Eljarrari, D. Elsaesser, A. Enzenhöfer, V. Espinosa, P. Fermani, G. Ferrara, M. D. Filipovic, F. Filippini, J. Fransen, L. A. Fusco, D. Gajanana, T. Gal, J. García Méndez, A. Garcia Soto, E. Garçon, F. Garufi, C. Gatius, N. Geißelbrecht, L. Gialanella, E. Giorgio, S. R. Gozzini, R. Gracia, K. Graf, G. Grella, D. Guderian, C. Guidi, B. Guillon, M. Gutiérrez, J. Haefner, S. Hallmann, H. Hamdaoui, H. van Haren, A. Heijboer, A. Hekalo, L. Hennig, S. Henry, J. J. Hernández-Rey, J. Hofestädt, F. Huang,W. Idrissi Ibnsalih, A. Ilioni, G. Illuminati, C.W. James, D. Janezashvili, P. Jansweijer, M. de Jong, P. de Jong, B. J. Jung, M. Kadler, P. Kalaczynski, O. Kalekin,U. F. Katz, F. Kayzel, P.Keller, N. R. Khan Chowdhury, G. Kistauri, F. van der Knaap, P. Kooijman, A. Kouchner, M. Kreter, V. Kulikovskiy, M. Labalme, P. Lagier, R. Lahmann, P. Lamare, M. Lamoureux, G. Larosa, C. Lastoria, J. Laurence, A. Lazo, R. Le Breton, E. Le Guirriec, S. Le Stum, G. Lehaut, O. Leonardi, F. Leone, E. Leonora, C. Lerouvillois, J. Lesrel, N. Lessing, G. Levi, M. Lincetto, M. Lindsey Clark, T. Lipreau, C. LLorens Alvarez, A. Lonardo, F. Longhitano, D. Lopez-Coto, N. Lumb, L. Maderer, J. Majumdar, J. Manczak, A. Margiotta, A. Marinelli, A. Marini, C. Markou, L. Martin, J. A. Martínez-Mora, A. Martini, F. Marzaioli, S. Mastroianni, K.W. Melis, G. Miele, P. Migliozzi, E. Migneco, P. Mijakowski, L. S. Miranda, C. M. Mollo, M. Mongelli, A. Moussa, R. Muller, P. Musico, M. Musumeci, L. Nauta, S. Navas, C. A. Nicolau, B. Nkosi, B. Ó Fearraigh, M. O’Sullivan, A. Orlando, G. Ottonello, S. Ottonello, J. Palacios González5, G. Papalashvili, R. Papaleo, C. Pastore, A. M. Paun, G. E. Pavalas, G. Pellegrini, C. Pellegrino, M. Perrin-Terrin, V. Pestel, P. Piattelli, C. Pieterse, O. Pisanti, C. Poirè, V. Popa, T. Pradier, F. Pratolongo, I. Probst, G. Pühlhofer, S. Pulvirenti, G. Quéméner, N. Randazzo, A. Rapicavoli, S. Razzaque, D. Real, S. Reck, G. Riccobene, L. Rigalleau, A. Romanov, A. Rovelli, J. Royon, F. Salesa Greus, D. F. E. Samtleben, A. Sánchez Losa, M. Sanguineti, A. Santangelo, D. Santonocito, P. Sapienza, J. Schmelling, J. Schnabel, M. F. Schneider, J. Schumann, H. M. Schutte, J. Seneca, I. Sgura, R. Shanidze, A. Sharma, A. Sinopoulou, B. Spisso, M. Spurio, D. Stavropoulos, J. Steijger, S. M. Stellacci, M. Taiuti, F. Tatone, Y. Tayalati, E. Tenllado, D. Tézier, T. Thakore, S. Theraube, H. Thiersen, P. Timmer, S. Tingay, S. Tsagkli, V. Tsourapis, E. Tzamariudaki, D. Tzanetatos, C. Valieri, V. Van Elewyck, G. Vasileiadis, F. Versari, S. Viola, D. Vivolo, G. de Wasseige, J.Wilms, R.Wojaczynski, E. deWolf, T. Yousfi, S. Zavatarelli, A. Zegarelli, D. Zito, J. D. Zornoza, J. Zúñiga, N. ZywuckaPostprint (published version