Hepatocytes and IL-15: A Favorable Microenvironment for T Cell Survival and CD8+ T Cell Differentiation

Human intrahepatic lymphocytes are enriched in CD1d-unrestricted T cells coexpressing NKR. Although the origin of this population remains controversial, it is possible to speculate that the hepatic microenvironment, namely epithelial cells or the cytokine milieu, may play a role in its shaping. IL-15 is constitutively expressed in the liver and has a key role in activation and survival of innate and tissue-associated immune cells. In this in vitro study, we examined whether hepatocyte cell lines and/or IL-15 could play a role in the generation of NK-like T cells. The results show that both HepG2 cells and a human immortalized hepatocyte cell line increase survival and drive basal proliferation of T cells. In addition, IL-15 was capable of inducing Ag-independent up-regulation of NKR, including NKG2A, Ig-like receptors, and de novo expression of CD56 and NKp46 in CD8(+)CD56(-) T cells. In conclusion, our study suggests that hepatocytes and IL-15 create a favorable microenvironment for T cells to growth and survive. It can be proposed that the increased percentage of intrahepatic nonclassical NKT cells could be in part due to a local CD8(+) T cell differentiation.This work was supported by grants from the American Portuguese Biomedical Research Fund (Inova Grant) and from ISCSN-CESPU (Grants CESPU 1F/05/2005 and CESPU 2F/03/2006). M.P.C. was supported by a fellowship from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (SFRH/BD/24396/2005)

Electric field-based technologies for valorization of bioresources

This review provides an overview of recent research on electrotechnologies applied to the valorization of bioresources. Following a comprehensive summary of the current status of the application of well-known electric-based processing technologies, such as pulsed electric fields (PEF) and high voltage electrical discharges (HVED), the application of moderate electric fields (MEF) as an extraction or valorization technology will be considered in detail. MEF, known by its improved energy efficiency and claimed electroporation effects (allowing enhanced extraction yields), may also originate high heating rates ohmic heating (OH) effect allowing thermal stabilization of waste stream for other added-value applications. MEF is a simple technology that mostly makes use of green solvents (mainly water) and that can be used on functionalization of compounds of biological origin broadening their application range. The substantial increase of MEF-based plants installed in industries worldwide suggests its straightforward application for waste recovery.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/ BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER006684) and by BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 – Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. Pedro Santos is recipient of a fellowship supported by a doctoral advanced training (call NORTE-69-2015-15), funded by the European Social Fund under the scope of Norte2020 – Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. Zlatina Genisheva, Rui Rodrigues and Ricardo Pereira are recipient of a fellowship supported by FCT (SFRH/BPD/ 108868/2015, SFRH/BD/110723/2015 and SFRH/BPD/81887/2011, respectively).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Optimization and characterization of biosurfactant production by Bacillus subtilis isolates towards Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery applications

Biosurfactant production by three Bacillus subtilis strains (#309, #311 and #573) isolated from Brazilian crude oils was optimized based on different carbon and nitrogen sources. The lowest surface tension values were obtained using sucrose containing media for the three isolates. Biosurfactants produced by each strain were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR), and Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionizationtime of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). The chemical characterization showed that the three isolates produced very similar mixtures, containing C13-, C14- and C15-surfactin, although in different proportions. The structure of surfactins produced by the three strains was shown to be in good agreement with their surface-activities. The interfacial-activities of the biosurfactants were characterized and compared with chemical surfactants. Furthermore, the application of biosurfactants and chemical surfactants in oil recovery was evaluated. The results obtained showed that biosurfactants have better interfacial-activity and oil recovery efficiency than common chemical surfactants, thus being more attractive to be applied in Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery.This work was supported by PARTEX OIL AND GAS. Jorge F.B. Pereira acknowledges the financial support from Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia through doctoral research grant SFRH/BD/60228/2009. Rui Vitorino acknowledges the financial support from QOPNA and RNEM by the Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia

Designing whey protein-based architectures under application of moderate electric fields

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

On the nature of the (de)coupling of the magnetostructural transition in Er5_5Si4_4

In this report, a successful thermodynamical model was employed to understand the structural transition in Er$_5$Si$_4$, able to explain the decoupling of the magnetic and structural transition. This was achieved by the DFT calculations which were used to determine the energy differences at 0 K, using a LSDA+U approximation. It was found that the M structure as the stable phase at low temperatures as verified experimentally with a $\Delta F_0 = -$0.262 eV. Finally, it was achieved a variation of Seebeck coefficient ($\sim$ 6 $\mu$V) at the structural transition which allow to conclude that the electronic entropy variation is negligible in the transition.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl

Elasmobranch responses to experimental warming, acidification, and oxygen loss—a meta-analysis

Despite the long evolutionary history of this group, the challenges brought by the Anthropocene have been inflicting an extensive pressure over sharks and their relatives. Overexploitation has been driving a worldwide decline in elasmobranch populations, and rapid environmental change, triggered by anthropogenic activities, may further test this group's resilience. In this context, we searched the literature for peer-reviewed studies featuring a sustained (>24 h) and controlled exposure of elasmobranch species to warming, acidification, and/or deoxygenation: three of the most pressing symptoms of change in the ocean. In a standardized comparative framework, we conducted an array of mixed-model meta-analyses (based on 368 control-treatment contrasts from 53 studies) to evaluate the effects of these factors and their combination as experimental treatments. We further compared these effects across different attributes (lineages, climates, lifestyles, reproductive modes, and life stages) and assessed the direction of impact over a comprehensive set of biological responses (survival, development, growth, aerobic metabolism, anaerobic metabolism, oxygen transport, feeding, behavior, acid-base status, thermal tolerance, hypoxia tolerance, and cell stress). Based on the present findings, warming appears as the most influential factor, with clear directional effects, namely decreasing development time and increasing aerobic metabolism, feeding, and thermal tolerance. While warming influence was pervasive across attributes, acidification effects appear to be more context-specific, with no perceivable directional trends across biological responses apart from the necessary to achieve acid-base balance. Meanwhile, despite its potential for steep impacts, deoxygenation has been the most neglected factor, with data paucity ultimately precluding sound conclusions. Likewise, the implementation of multi-factor treatments has been mostly restricted to the combination of warming and acidification, with effects approximately matching those of warming. Despite considerable progress over recent years, research regarding the impact of these drivers on elasmobranchs lags behind other taxa, with more research required to disentangle many of the observed effects. Given the current levels of extinction risk and the quick pace of global change, it is further crucial that we integrate the knowledge accumulated through different scientific approaches into a holistic perspective to better understand how this group may fare in a changing ocean

Valorisation of cork by-products for the treatment of vegetal and animal oil containing wastewaters

In this study, cork granules, which are by-products of the cork processing industry, were used as biosorbents for the removal of vegetable and animal oils from water. Simple oil-in-water emulsions were created by ultrasonic emulsification and batch adsorption tests were performed by contacting cork with these emulsions for a defined period of time. A mass transfer model was able to predict adequately the kinetic data, using a Linear Driving Force approximation for intraparticle diffusion and equilibrium described by the Langmuir-Freundlich equation. Maximum sorption capacities for vegetable and animal oil, as calculated by the Langmuir-Freundlich model, were 5 ± 4 and 2.3 ± 0.9 g g-1, respectively. Therefore, expanded cork granules proved to be an efficient, low-cost sorbent for both vegetable and animal oilsThis work is supported by project HIDROCORK “Utilization of Cork Wastes and By-Products for Elimination of Oils and Fats from Waters”, supported by QREN (National Strategic Reference Framework). This work is also partially supported by project PEst-C/EQB/LA0020/2011, financed by FEDER through COMPETE -Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade and by FCT -Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Studies on sorption and regeneration of granulated cork for oil and grease removal

The aim of this work is to develop a method to recover sorbed oil and grease from granulated cork, in order to promote biomass regeneration. Experimental procedure involved biomass saturation with oil, followed by chemical regeneration. Oil removal by elution was tested using HNO3 and NaOH solutions, cationic and anionic surfactants and organic solvents, namely carbon tetrachloride and n-hexane. Chemical desorption efficiency using organic solvents achieved values of 90 ± 6 % and 72 ± 6 % for CCl4 and n-hexane, respectively. Although the use of organic solvents proved to be an efficient process, it involves high costs and a negative environmental impact. Physical regeneration could be an alternative to the use of solvents for oil removal from granulated cork.This work is supported by project HIDROCORK “Utilization of Cork Wastes and By-Products for Elimination of Oils and Fats from Waters”, financed by QREN (National Strategic Reference Framework). This work is also partially supported by project PEst-C/EQB/LA0020/2011, financed by FEDER through COMPETE - Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade and by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. A. Pintor also acknowledges her PhD fellowship by FCT (SFRH / BD / 70142 / 2010)

Treatment of wastewater containing mineral oil by sorption onto granulated cork

The aim of this work is the development of a new method to remove oils from wastewaters, namely hydrocarbons. These contaminants, when present in high concentrations, are efficiently removed by physical and chemical processes, such as gravity separators, flocculation and flotation processes; however for low concentrations, these methods are not applicable [1]. Moreover, advanced separation processes such as membrane separation [2] and activated carbon adsorption [3] are expensive options for the treatment of oil-containing wastewaters. This new technique is based on oil and hydrocarbons’ sorption on cork granules.This work is supported by project HIDROCORK "Utilization of Cork Wastes and By-Products for Elimination of Oils and Fats from Waters", financed by QREN (National Strategic Reference Framework). This work is also partially supported by project PEst-C/EQBILA0020/2011, financed by FEDER through COMPETE_ Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade and by FCT -Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Whole-genome enrichment provides deep insights into Vibrio cholerae metagenome from an African river

The detection and typing of Vibrio cholerae in natural aquatic environments encounter major methodological challenges related to the fact that the bacterium is often present in environmental matrices at very low abundance in nonculturable state. This study applied, for the first time to our knowledge, a whole-genome enrichment (WGE) and next generation sequencing (NGS) approach for direct genotyping and metagenomic analysis of low abundant V. cholerae DNA (<50 genome unit/L) from natural water collected in the Morogoro river (Tanzania). The protocol is based on the use of biotinylated RNA baits for target enrichment of V. cholerae metagenomic DNA via hybridization. An enriched V. cholerae metagenome library was generated and sequenced on a Illumina MiSeq platform. Up to 1.8X107 bp (4.5x mean read depth) were found to map against V. cholerae reference genome sequences representing an increase of about 2500 times in target DNA coverage compared to theoretical calculations of performance for shotgun metagenomics. Analysis of metagenomic data revealed the presence of several V. cholerae virulence and virulence associated genes in river water including major virulence regions (e.g. CTX prophage and Vibrio pathogenicity island-1) and genetic markers of epidemic strains (e.g. O1-antigen biosynthesis gene cluster) that were not detectable by standard culture and molecular techniques. Overall, besides providing a powerful tool for direct genotyping of V. cholerae in complex environmental matrices this study provides a \u201cproof of concept\u201d on the methodological gap that might currently preclude a more comprehensive understanding of toxigenic V. cholerae emergence from natural aquatic environments