The Potential of Whey Protein in Food Packaging

Whey protein has great potential to produce biodegradable and edible packaging. A broader spectrum of properties, namely antioxidant and antimicrobial, can be achieved through the incorporation of substances, such as essential oils, intended to be released during food storage, as an active system.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The soil-transmitted helminths in Sri Lanka: a review of the recent literature

The major soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Necator americanus have been recognized as endemic in Sri Lanka for over a century. Although prevalence rates have declined drastically over this period because of mass deworming programmes and improved housing, these infections are still found in high risk communities with poor access to sanitation. The available scientific literature published on STH infections in Sri Lanka from around the year 2000 onwards is reviewed here in three broad areas: prevalence of STH infections and factors affecting transmission, impact of control activities on prevalence and drug resistance, and the impact of STH infections on the health of infected individuals. In conclusion, an overview of the current control strategy adopted by the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka is presented.  </p

The role of TcdB and TccC subunits in secretion of the photorhabdus Tcd toxin complex

The Toxin Complex (TC) is a large multi-subunit toxin encoded by a range of bacterial pathogens. The best-characterized examples are from the insect pathogens Photorhabdus, Xenorhabdus and Yersinia. They consist of three large protein subunits, designated A, B and C that assemble in a 5:1:1 stoichiometry. Oral toxicity to a range of insects means that some have the potential to be developed as pest control technology. The three subunit proteins do not encode any recognisable export sequences and as such little progress has been made in understanding their secretion. We have developed heterologous TC production and secretion models in E. coli and used them to ascribe functions to different domains of the crucial B+C sub-complex. We have determined that the B and C subunits use a secretion mechanism that is either encoded by the proteins themselves or employ an as yet undefined system common to laboratory strains of E. coli. We demonstrate that both the N-terminal domains of the B and C subunits are required for secretion of the whole complex. We propose a model whereby the N-terminus of the C-subunit toxin exports the B+C sub-complex across the inner membrane while that of the B-subunit allows passage across the outer membrane. We also demonstrate that even in the absence of the B-subunit, that the C-subunit can also facilitate secretion of the larger A-subunit. The recognition of this novel export system is likely to be of importance to future protein secretion studies. Finally, the identification of homologues of B and C subunits in diverse bacterial pathogens, including Burkholderia and Pseudomonas, suggests that these toxins are likely to be important in a range of different hosts, including man

Identifying Most Probable Negotiation Scenario in Bilateral Contracts with Reinforcement Learning

This paper proposes an adaptation of the Q-Learning reinforcement learning algorithm, for the identification of the most probable scenario that a player may face, under different contexts, when negotiating bilateral contracts. For that purpose, the proposed methodology is integrated in a Decision Support System that is capable to generate several different scenarios for each negotiation context. With this complement, the tool can also identify the most probable scenario for the identified negotiation context. A realistic case study is conducted, based on real contracts data, which confirms the learning capabilities of the proposed methodology. It is possible to identify the most probable scenario for each context over the learned period. Nonetheless, the identified scenario might not always be the real negotiation scenario, given the variable nature of such negotiations. However, this work greatly reduces the frequency of such unexpected scenarios, contributing to a greater success of the supported player over time.This work has received funding from National Funds through FCT (Fundaçao da Ciencia e Tecnologia) under the project SPET – 29165, call SAICT 2017.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 promotes T cell lymphoma development and dissemination

P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) is a membrane-bound glycoprotein expressed in lymphoid and myeloid cells. It is a ligand of P-, E- and L-selectin and is involved in T cell trafficking and homing to lymphoid tissues, among other functions. PSGL-1 expression has been implicated in different lymphoid malignancies, so here we aimed to evaluate the involvement of PSGL-1 in T cell lymphomagenesis and dissemination. PSGL-1 was highly expressed at the surface of human and mouse T cell leukemia and lymphoma cell lines. To assess its impact on T cell malignancies, we stably expressed human PSGL-1 (hPSGL-1) in a mouse thymic lymphoma cell line, which expresses low levels of endogenous PSGL-1 at the cell surface. hPSGL-1-expressing lymphoma cells developed subcutaneous tumors in athymic nude mice recipients faster than control empty vector or parental cells. Moreover, the kidneys, lungs and liver of tumor-bearing mice were infiltrated by hPSGL-1-expressing malignant T cells. To evaluate the role of PSGL-1 in lymphoma cell dissemination, we injected intravenously control and hPSGL-1-expressing lymphoma cells in athymic mice. Strikingly, PSGL-1 expression facilitated disease infiltration of the kidneys, as determined by histological analysis and anti-CD3 immunohistochemistry. Together, these results indicate that PSGL-1 expression promotes T cell lymphoma development and dissemination to different organs.We thank Roger McEver, José M Almendral, Hind Medyouf, João T Barata and Neil D Perkins for providing reagents and cells, André Mozes (CBMR Flow Cytometry Unit) for technical assistance and Sara Miranda and Nuno Bastos for immunohistochemistry technical assistance. This work was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portugal), European Social Fund , European Regional Development Fund ( PTDC/SAU-OBD/103336/2008 , PTDC/MED-ONC/32592/2017 , UID/BIM/04773/2013 , NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000029 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274 grants, IF/00056/2012 contract to NRdS and SFRH/BD/147979/2019 fellowship to JLP), and Gilead Sciences Portugal (Programa Gilead GÉNESE PGG/038/2017 grant). The authors acknowledge the support of the i3S Scientific Platform Histology and Electron Microscopy , member of the national infrastructure PPBI - Portuguese Platform of Bioimaging ( PPBI-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022122 ). We thank Roger McEver, Jos? M Almendral, Hind Medyouf, Jo?o T Barata and Neil D Perkins for providing reagents and cells, Andr? Mozes (CBMR Flow Cytometry Unit) for technical assistance and Sara Miranda and Nuno Bastos for immunohistochemistry technical assistance. This work was supported by Funda??o para a Ci?ncia e a Tecnologia (Portugal), European Social Fund, European Regional Development Fund (PTDC/SAU-OBD/103336/2008, PTDC/MED-ONC/32592/2017, UID/BIM/04773/2013, NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000029 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274 grants, IF/00056/2012 contract to NRdS and SFRH/BD/147979/2019 fellowship to JLP), and Gilead Sciences Portugal (Programa Gilead G?NESE PGG/038/2017 grant). The authors acknowledge the support of the i3S Scientific Platform Histology and Electron Microscopy, member of the national infrastructure PPBI - Portuguese Platform of Bioimaging (PPBI-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022122)

Tissue Localization and Extracellular Matrix Degradation by PI, PII and PIII Snake Venom Metalloproteinases: Clues on the Mechanisms of Venom-Induced Hemorrhage

20 páginas, 4 figuras, 3 tablas y 7 tablas en material suplementario.Snake venom hemorrhagic metalloproteinases (SVMPs) of the PI, PII and PIII classes were compared in terms of tissue localization and their ability to hydrolyze basement membrane components in vivo, as well as by a proteomics analysis of exudates collected in tissue injected with these enzymes. Immunohistochemical analyses of co-localization of these SVMPs with type IV collagen revealed that PII and PIII enzymes co-localized with type IV collagen in capillaries, arterioles and post-capillary venules to a higher extent than PI SVMP, which showed a more widespread distribution in the tissue. The patterns of hydrolysis by these three SVMPs of laminin, type VI collagen and nidogen in vivo greatly differ, whereas the three enzymes showed a similar pattern of degradation of type IV collagen, supporting the concept that hydrolysis of this component is critical for the destabilization of microvessel structure leading to hemorrhage. Proteomic analysis of wound exudate revealed similarities and differences between the action of the three SVMPs. Higher extent of proteolysis was observed for the PI enzyme regarding several extracellular matrix components and fibrinogen, whereas exudates from mice injected with PII and PIII SVMPs had higher amounts of some intracellular proteins. Our results provide novel clues for understanding the mechanisms by which SVMPs induce damage to the microvasculature and generate hemorrhage.This work was performed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the PhD degree for Cristina Herrera at Universidad de Costa Rica.Peer reviewe

Melt-present shear zones enable intracontinental orogenesis

Localized rheological weakening is required to initiate and sustain intracontinental orogenesis, but the reasons for weakening remain debated. The intracontinental Alice Springs orogen dominates the lithospheric architecture of central Australia and involved prolonged (450–300 Ma) but episodic mountain building. The mid-crustal core of the orogen is exposed at its eastern margin, where field relationships and microstructures demonstrate that deformation was accommodated in biotite-rich shear zones. Rheological weakening was caused by localized melt-present deformation coupled with melt-induced reaction softening. This interpretation is supported by the coeval and episodic nature of melt-present deformation, igneous activity, and sediment shed from the developing orogen. This study identifies localized melt availability as an important ingredient enabling intracontinental orogenesis

The SOS Pilot Study: a RCT of routine oxygen supplementation early after acute stroke—effect on recovery of neurological function at one week

Mild hypoxia is common after stroke and associated with poor long-term outcome. Oxygen supplementation could prevent hypoxia and improve recovery. A previous study of routine oxygen supplementation showed no significant benefit at 7 and 12 months. This pilot study reports the effects of routine oxygen supplementation for 72 hours on oxygen saturation and neurological outcomes at 1 week after a stroke

Pdl1 Is a Putative Lipase that Enhances Photorhabdus Toxin Complex Secretion

The Toxin Complex (TC) is a large multi-subunit toxin first characterized in the insect pathogens Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus, but now seen in a range of pathogens, including those of humans. These complexes comprise three protein subunits, A, B and C which in the Xenorhabdus toxin are found in a 4∶1∶1 stoichiometry. Some TCs have been demonstrated to exhibit oral toxicity to insects and have the potential to be developed as a pest control technology. The lack of recognisable signal sequences in the three large component proteins hinders an understanding of their mode of secretion. Nevertheless, we have shown the Photorhabdus luminescens (Pl) Tcd complex has been shown to associate with the bacteria's surface, although some strains can also release it into the surrounding milieu. The large number of tc gene homologues in Pl make study of the export process difficult and as such we have developed and validated a heterologous Escherichia coli expression model to study the release of these important toxins. In addition to this model, we have used comparative genomics between a strain that releases high levels of Tcd into the supernatant and one that retains the toxin on its surface, to identify a protein responsible for enhancing secretion and release of these toxins. This protein is a putative lipase (Pdl1) which is regulated by a small tightly linked antagonist protein (Orf53). The identification of homologues of these in other bacteria, linked to other virulence factor operons, such as type VI secretion systems, suggests that these genes represent a general and widespread mechanism for enhancing toxin release in Gram negative pathogens