Cultivation Systems of Microalgae for the Production of Biofuels

As reported in the study, the high-oil/ha-year productivity of microalgae has raised a lot of interest in their use as a source of raw materials for biofuels. However, the high costs of production and maintenance of closed culture systems (photobioreactor type) and the problems of contamination that lead to lower productivity of open systems (of the “open-pond” type) have become important limitations in evaluating the sustainability of producing biofuels from microalgae.In the view of the favorable prospects of employing microalgae as an economically viable source of raw materials for the production of biofuels, this chapter outlines the different ways microalgae are cultivated, the required nutritional conditions and the main procedures used for increasing their scale. Additionally, those more commonly used on a large scale are described and their advantages and disadvantages are pointed out. This analysis results in a proposal of a new type of photobioreactor, of the cylindrical container type, constructed of polyethylene, a non-transparent material that is cheaper and more durable than the ones that are commonly used (polycarbonate, glass or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)). Internal illumination of the photobioreactor is provided by a beam from plastic optical fibers that receive sunlight focused at the extremity of the beam

Acute Hormonal Responses to Multi-Joint Resistance Exercises with Blood Flow Restriction

The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of multi-joint resistance exercises (MJRE) with blood flow restriction on hormonal responses. Ten men participated in the study and underwent two experimental protocols in random order: four sets (30, 15, 15, and 15 reps, respectively) of MJRE (half squat and horizontal chest press) were performed with 20% of 1RM and a rest time between sets of 30 s, combined with intermittent blood flow restriction (LI + BFR protocol); and four sets (8, 8, 8, 20 reps, respectively) of the same MJRE performed with 75% of 1RM load (HI protocol), with a 90 s rest between the first three sets and 30 s between the third to the fourth set. Blood samples were collected before (PRE), immediately after (POST), and 15 min after the performance of MJRE (POST15). A time effect was observed for growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like-growth-factor-1-binding-protein-3 (IGFPB-3), but no protocol effects or interactions between protocol and times were observed (p > 0.05). There was no effect of either protocol or time (p > 0.05) on total testosterone, free testosterone, or cortisol concentrations. However, significant (p < 0.05) increases were observed in the GH serum concentrations of 2072.73% and 2278.5%, HI, and LI + BFR protocols, respectively, from the PRE to POST15 test. In addition, there was an increase of 15.30% and 13.29% in the IGFPB-3 concentrations (p < 0.05) from PRE to POST0 times for HI and LI + BFR protocols, respectively. Furthermore, there was a decrease of 6.17% and 11.54%, p = 0.00, between the times POST0 to POST15 in the IGFPB-3 for the HI and LI + BFR protocols, respectively. It is concluded that multi-joint resistance exercises combined with intermittent blood flow restriction seemed to promote acute hormonal responses in a manner similar to traditional exercise with high loads. Future studies may investigate whether chronic use of LI + BFR with MJRE may promote muscle hypertrophy

Silver(I) and Copper(II) Complexes of 1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-Dione Against Phialophora Verrucosa: A Focus on the Interaction With Human Macrophages and Galleria Mellonella Larvae

Phialophora verrucosa is a dematiaceous fungus that causes mainly chromoblastomycosis, but also disseminated infections such as phaeohyphomycosis and mycetoma. These diseases are extremely hard to treat and often refractory to current antifungal therapies. In this work, we have evaluated the effect of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione) and its metal-based complexes, [Ag (phendione)2]ClO4 and [Cu(phendione)3](ClO4)2.4H2O, against P. verrucosa, focusing on (i) conidial viability when combined with amphotericin B (AmB); (ii) biofilm formation and disarticulation events; (iii) in vitro interaction with human macrophages; and (iv) in vivo infection of Galleria mellonella larvae. The combination of AmB with each of the test compounds promoted the additive inhibition of P. verrucosa growth, as judged by the checkerboard assay. During the biofilm formation process over polystyrene surface, sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of phendione and its silver(I) and copper(II) complexes were able to reduce biomass and extracellular matrix production. Moreover, a mature biofilm treated with high concentrations of the test compounds diminished biofilm viability in a concentration-dependent manner. Pre-treatment of conidial cells with the test compounds did not alter the percentage of infected THP-1 macrophages; however, [Ag(phendione)2]ClO4 caused a significant reduction in the number of intracellular fungal cells compared to the untreated system. In addition, the killing process was significantly enhanced by post-treatment of infected macrophages with the test compounds. P. verrucosa induced a typically cell density-dependent effect on G. mellonella larvae death after 7 days of infection. Interestingly, exposure to the silver(I) complex protected the larvae from P. verrucosa infection. Collectively, the results corroborate the promising therapeutic potential of phendione-based drugs against fungal infections, including those caused by P. verrucosa

Diversidad de razas caprinas criollas en Argentina

Se estima que el 90% de los casi cinco millones de caprinos en Argentina se pueden asignar a poblaciones locales tradicionalmente llamadas Criollos. Se denomina así a un colectivo indefinido, menospreciado en sus atributos fenotípicos y productivos característicos, originados a partir de selección por diferentes etnias y en general adaptados a ambientes disímiles y hostiles de crianza. Con el objetivo de determinar las características diferenciales de razas locales o biotipos dentro de las Criollas contribuyendo a su valoración como recurso genético, se recuperaron trabajos de caracterización fenotípica realizados desde el año 2000 hasta el 2013. Se construyó una base datos a partir de las originales, con 19 variables cualitativas y cuantitativas de 2170 hembras de 6 poblaciones locales: Criollas de Formosa (FOR), Córdoba (CBA), La Rioja (LRI), San Luis (SLU), Neuquén (NQN) y Colorada Pampeana (LPA). Se analizó en forma descriptiva y multivariada para detectar diferencias y similitudes entre ellas. Los resultados mostraron rasgos compartidos (perfil recto; orejas horizontales) y divergentes (tipo de pelaje, perímetro de la caña). Los conglomerados formados en base al análisis factorial de datos mixtos muestran una clara diferenciación para FOR, LPA y NQN. CBA muestra rasgos de cruzamientos con Anglo Nubian, LRI y SLU se muestran dispersas. Se formaron 4 clústeres con buena definición para FOR, LPA, CBA y NQN. Se concluye que las razas Criolla Formoseña, Neuquina y Colorada Pampeana alcanzan un grado de diferenciación fenotípico significativo. LRI y SLU no muestran clara diferenciación y la CBA evidencia signos de cruzamientos con razas comerciales y riesgo de erosión genética.It is estimated that 90% of the almost five million goats in Argentina are local populations traditionally called Criollo. This designation refers to goats whose phenotypic and productive attributes are neglected. These populations have different origins and were selected by diverse rural communities; however, they share some common characteristics, such as being adapted to harsh environmental conditions and being bred in arid areas. In order to determine the differential traits of local breeds within Criollo and contribute to their assessment as a local genetic resource, phenotypic characterization research carried out in the last decades were recovered. A database was built, with 19 qualitative and quantitative variables of 2170 females from 6 local populations: Criolla de Formosa (FOR), Córdoba (CBA), La Rioja (LRI), San Luis (SLU), Neuquén (NQN) and Colorada Pampeana (LPA). They were analysed descriptively and by multivariate analysis in order to define differences and similarities among them. The results showed shared (straight profile, horizontal ears) and divergent (type of coat, shin circumference) features. The conglomerates formed on the basis of the mixed data factor analysis showed a clear differentiation for FOR, LPA and NQN. CBA showed evidence of crossing with Anglo Nubian, while LRI and SLU were scattered. Four Clusters with good definition were formed for FOR, LPA, CBA and NQN. It is concluded that FOR, NQN and LPA populations have achieved a significant degree of phenotypic differentiation. The LRI and SLU did not show a clear differentiation and the CBA showed signs of crossing with commercial breeds and risk of genetic erosion.Estación Experimental Agropecuaria BarilocheFil: Lanari, María Rosa. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Giovannini, Nicolas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Maizon, Daniel Omar. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Deza, Maria C.V. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Bedotti, Daniel Osvaldo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: de la Rosa-Carbajal, Sebastian Arnoldo. Centro de Validacion Laguna Yema; ArgentinaFil: Vera, Tomas Anibal. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Agricultura Familiar. Región NOA; ArgentinaFil: Ricarte, Ramon Armando. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Rioja; ArgentinaFil: Mezzadra, Carlos Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentin

Plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein is raised in progranulin-associated frontotemporal dementia

Background There are few validated fluid biomarkers in frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a measure of astrogliosis, a known pathological process of FTD, but has yet to be explored as potential biomarker. Methods Plasma GFAP and neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentration were measured in 469 individuals enrolled in the Genetic FTD Initiative: 114 C9orf72 expansion carriers (74 presymptomatic, 40 symptomatic), 119 GRN mutation carriers (88 presymptomatic, 31 symptomatic), 53 MAPT mutation carriers (34 presymptomatic, 19 symptomatic) and 183 non-carrier controls. Biomarker measures were compared between groups using linear regression models adjusted for age and sex with family membership included as random effect. Participants underwent standardised clinical assessments including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration-C linical Dementia Rating scale and MRI. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship of plasma GFAP to clinical and imaging measures. Results Plasma GFAP concentration was significantly increased in symptomatic GRN mutation carriers (adjusted mean difference from controls 192.3 pg/mL, 95% CI 126.5 to 445.6), but not in those with C9orf72 expansions (9.0, -61.3 to 54.6), MAPT mutations (12.7, -33.3 to 90.4) or the presymptomatic groups. GFAP concentration was significantly positively correlated with age in both controls and the majority of the disease groups, as well as with NfL concentration. In the presymptomatic period, higher GFAP concentrations were correlated with a lower cognitive score (MMSE) and lower brain volume, while in the symptomatic period, higher concentrations were associated with faster rates of atrophy in the temporal lobe. Conclusions Raised GFAP concentrations appear to be unique to GRN-related FTD, with levels potentially increasing just prior to symptom onset, suggesting that GFAP may be an important marker of proximity to onset, and helpful for forthcoming therapeutic prevention trials