Application of selected edible and medicinal mushrooms extracts in the production of dehydrated soups as functional food

Циљ овог истраживања био је да се утврди утицај лиофилизованих водених и етанолних екстраката јестиве гљиве Suillus granulatus и медицинских гљива Coriolus versicolor и Fuscoporia torulosa гљива, сакупљених из природних станишта, на квалитет и биолошку активност дехидрираних супа, без додавања мононатријум глутамината. У циљу побољшања сензорних својстава, три најбоље супе произведене су уз додатак мононатријум глутамината у 50% мањој количини. Реализација планираних истраживања извршена је кроз десет варијанти дехидрираних супа. Код све три врсте испитиване гљиве, утврђен је повољан хемијски састав у свежем и сушеном стању. Добијени водени и етанолни екстракти испитиваних гљива имали су сложен хемијски састав и високу биолошку активност. Лиофилизовани екстракти показали су високу антиоксидативну и антимикробну активност. Додавање лиофилизованих водених и етанолних екстраката испитиваних гљива у индустријски произведеној дехидрираној супи са поврћем, показало је позитиван ефекат у погледу побољшања хемијског састава и биолошке вредности. Лиофилизовани водени и етанолни екстракти испитиваних гљива су погодни за примену у дехидрираним супама, што резултира производом без примене или са делимичном применом адитива. На овај начин добијен је нови, функционалан производ са повећаном биолошком вредношћу који је поред побољшаних нутритивних својстава потпуно безбедан за конзумирање међу свим врстама потрошачких група, а са друге стране има одређене позитивне ефекте на здравље потрошача. Због великог значаја коришћења гљива из природних станишта, која представљају важан биолошки ресурс природе, као и због чињенице да нису потребни посебни услови за индустријску производњу, овај производ може имати велики потенцијал на тржишту у поређењу са конвенционалним производима. Све то доприноси светским трендовима и технолошким поступцима, где се правилном употребом екстраката гљива могу постићи жељена својства одређеног производа уз потпуну или делимичну замену употребе појединих адитива у одређеним сегментима прехрамбене индустрије.The aim of this study was to determine the effect of lyophilized aqueous and ethanolic extracts from the edible mushroom Suillus granulatus and medicinal mushrooms Coriolus versicolor and Fuscoporia torulosa, collected from natural habitats, on the quality and biological activity of dehydrated soups, without the addition of monosodium glutamate. In order to improve the sensory properties, the three best soups were also produced by adding 50% less monosodium glutamate. The realization of the planned research was done through ten variants of dehydrated soup. In all three types of examined mushrooms, a favorable chemical composition was found in fresh as well as in dried state. The obtained aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the tested mushrooms had a rich chemical composition and high biological activities. Moreover, lyophilized extracts have shown high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The addition of both lyophilized aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the tested mushrooms in industrially produced dehydrated vegetable soup showed a positive effect in terms of improving the chemical composition in one hand, and biological activity on the other hand. Lyophilized aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the tested mushrooms were suitable for use in dehydrated soups, resulting in a product without using or partial using of food additives. In this way, a new, functional product with increased biological value was obtained, which, in addition to improved nutritional properties, is completely safe for consumption among all types of consumer groups, and on the other hand has certain positive effects on consumer health. Due to the great importance of using mushrooms from natural habitats that represent an important biological resource of nature, as well as due to the fact that no special conditions are required for industrial production, this product can have great potential in the market compared to conventional products. All this contributes to global trends and technological processes, where with the proper use of mushroom extracts, the desired properties of a particular product can be achieved, which would be a complete or partial replacement of the use of some additives in certain segments of the food industry

THE INFLUENCE OF FOLIAR FERTILIZATION WITH ORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON THE YIELD AND THE CHEMICAL CONTENT OF POTATOES GROWN IN STRUMICA REGION

The effect of foliar fertilization with organic fertilizers on the yield and the chemical content of potatoes grown in Strumica region were studied, in the period from the year of 2011-2012. The experiment was set in four variants and three repetitions. The variants in the experiment were: Control (no-fertilizing variant); Humusil (organic matter 1.86%; organic carbon 1.08%; humin acids 0.14%; N 224 mg/L; P2O5 71 mg/L; K2O 1024 mg/L; CaO 180 mg/L); Humustim (organic matter 58.63 %; dry matter 12.38 %; humin acids 20.40 %; fulvo acids 2.15%; N 3%; P2O5 1.02%; K2O 7.92%; Ca 3.70 %; Mg 1.03%); Ingrasamant foliar (N 0 %; P2O5 130 g/L; K2O 130 g/L; ME in helate form and plant extracts 0.005 g/L). The experiment was arranged in 12 rows and in each variant and repetition was involved 100 plants, total in all experiment were involved 1200 plants. The planting was made in rows at a distance of 60 cm row by row and 20 cm in the rows. The row’s length was 20 m. Three foliar treatments were applied with given above fertilizers at a concentration of 0.4%. The soil where the experiment was carried had a good fertility with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The foliar fertilization had a positive influence on potatoes yield in all of the variants treated with different organic fertilizers. The highest potatoes yield of 54.62 t ha-1 was established in variant 4. The foliar fertilization had a positive influence on the chemical content of tubers potato, too. In three variants treated with different fertilizers, higher content of all tested parameters was found, compared to the control untreated variant. The highest average content of vitamin C (2.60 mg/100g), phosphorus (0.90 %), and potassium (1.30 %) was determined in the tubers potato in variant 3

Corruption as a form of Organized Crime

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of the corruption as a form of organized crime with special emphasis in th

Survival of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in soil

The dynamics of the pseudotuberculous microbes population number in the soil was monitored with the use of bacteriological method. The number of this microbe increased during the first week to 106 -5x106 CFU/ml, after which it stabilized until the third week at level 106, after which there is a continuous decline in the number of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis until the end of the second month, when their growth stops

Synchronizing inventory and transport within supply chain management

The problem considers synchronized optimization of inventory and transport, and focuses on producer-distributor relations. Particular attention is paid to developing a mathematical model and an optimization problem that can be used to minimize the overall distribution cost by an appropriate placement of warehouses and cross-docking points. Solutions to this problem are explored using genetic algorithms and ideas from graph/network theory. Note: there are three separate reports contained within the uploaded .pdf file

Pharmacodynamic approach for proving equivalence of two ophtalmic solutions containing Brimonidine Tartarate 0.2% in healthy volunteers

Introduction: Bromonidine tartarate ophthalmic solution (CAS registry-number: 70359- 46-5) is a relatively selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, indicated for the lowering of intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Aim: The purpose of the present phase-1 clinical trial was to assess the pharmacodynamic equivalence of two ophtalmic solutions containing brimonidine tartarate 0,2% in healthy volunteers. Methods: The study was performed as a single center, randomized, single-dose, observer-blinded, single period trial in 36 healthy volunteers. Each volunteer received successively and in a random way a single dose of 1 drop of the test or the reference product in the conjunctival sac of the right and left eye, respectively. Measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) of both eyes was performed at screening examination, pre-dose and 2 hours post dosing and at final examination by means of a Goldmann applanation tonometer. The primary target parameter for proving pharmacodynamic equivalence was defined as the absolute decrease in IOP 2 hours post dose. The 95% confidence interval was calculated for the difference (test-reference) of the primary target parameter and compared with the predefined equivalence range of ±1.5 mmHg. Results: A decrease in the IOP of 4.60±1.26 mmHg and 4.40±0.89 mmHg was observed after administration of the test and reference formulation, respectively. The mean difference was +0.197 mmHg with a 95% confidence interval between -0.275 and 0.670 mmHg and thus entirely within the predefined equivalence range. Both products showed a very good local safety profile and similar tolerability. Conclusion: Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution 0.2% was pharmacodynamically equivalent to the reference preparation (Alphagan®) with respect both to efficacy and safety

Psychotropic drug concentrations and clinical outcomes in children and adolescents: a systematic review

Introduction: The use of psychotropic drugs in children and adolescents is widespread but associated with suboptimal treatment effects. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can improve safety of psychotropic drugs in children and adolescents but is not routinely performed. A major reason is that the relationship between drug concentrations and effects is not well known. Areas covered: This systematic review evaluated studies assessing the relationship between psychotropic drug concentrations and clinical outcomes in children and adolescents, including antipsychotics, psychostimulants, alpha-agonists, antidepressants, and mood-stabilizers. PRISMA guidelines were used and a quality assessment of the retrieved studies was performed. Sixty-seven eligible studies involving 24 psychotropic drugs were identified from 9,298 records. The findings were generally heterogeneous and the majority of all retrieved studies were not of sufficient quality. For 11 psychotropic drugs, a relationship between drug concentrations and side-effects and/or effectiveness was evidenced in reasonably reported and executed studies, but these findings were barely replicated. Expert opinion: In order to better support routine TDM in child- and adolescent psychiatry, future work must improve in aspects of study design, execution and reporting to demonstrate drug concentration-effect relationships. The quality criteria proposed in this work can guide future TDM research. Systematic review protocol and registration PROSPERO CRD42018084159

Control of Stochastic Gene Expression by Host Factors at the HIV Promoter

The HIV promoter within the viral long terminal repeat (LTR) orchestrates many aspects of the viral life cycle, from the dynamics of viral gene expression and replication to the establishment of a latent state. In particular, after viral integration into the host genome, stochastic fluctuations in viral gene expression amplified by the Tat positive feedback loop can contribute to the formation of either a productive, transactivated state or an inactive state. In a significant fraction of cells harboring an integrated copy of the HIV-1 model provirus (LTR-GFP-IRES-Tat), this bimodal gene expression profile is dynamic, as cells spontaneously and continuously flip between active (Bright) and inactive (Off) expression modes. Furthermore, these switching dynamics may contribute to the establishment and maintenance of proviral latency, because after viral integration long delays in gene expression can occur before viral transactivation. The HIV-1 promoter contains cis-acting Sp1 and NF-κB elements that regulate gene expression via the recruitment of both activating and repressing complexes. We hypothesized that interplay in the recruitment of such positive and negative factors could modulate the stability of the Bright and Off modes and thereby alter the sensitivity of viral gene expression to stochastic fluctuations in the Tat feedback loop. Using model lentivirus variants with mutations introduced in the Sp1 and NF-κB elements, we employed flow cytometry, mRNA quantification, pharmacological perturbations, and chromatin immunoprecipitation to reveal significant functional differences in contributions of each site to viral gene regulation. Specifically, the Sp1 sites apparently stabilize both the Bright and the Off states, such that their mutation promotes noisy gene expression and reduction in the regulation of histone acetylation and deacetylation. Furthermore, the NF-κB sites exhibit distinct properties, with κB site I serving a stronger activating role than κB site II. Moreover, Sp1 site III plays a particularly important role in the recruitment of both p300 and RelA to the promoter. Finally, analysis of 362 clonal cell populations infected with the viral variants revealed that mutations in any of the Sp1 sites yield a 6-fold higher frequency of clonal bifurcation compared to that of the wild-type promoter. Thus, each Sp1 and NF-κB site differentially contributes to the regulation of viral gene expression, and Sp1 sites functionally “dampen” transcriptional noise and thereby modulate the frequency and maintenance of this model of viral latency. These results may have biomedical implications for the treatment of HIV latency

Within-individual phenotypic plasticity in flowers fosters pollination niche shift

Authors thank Raquel Sánchez, Angel Caravante, Isabel Sánchez Almazo, Tatiana López Pérez, Samuel Cantarero, María José Jorquera and Germán Fernández for helping us during several phases of the study and Iván Rodríguez Arós for drawing the insect silhouettes. This research is supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (CGL2015-71634-P, CGL2015-63827-P, CGL2017-86626-C2-1-P, CGL2017- 86626-C2-2-P, UNGR15-CE-3315, including EU FEDER funds), Junta de Andalucía (P18- FR-3641), Xunta de Galicia (CITACA), BBVA Foundation (PR17_ECO_0021), and a contract grant to C.A. from the former Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (RYC-2012-12277). This is a contribution to the Research Unit Modeling Nature, funded by the Consejería de Economía, Conocimiento, Empresas y Universidad, and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), reference SOMM17/6109/UGR.Phenotypic plasticity, the ability of a genotype of producing different phenotypes when exposed to different environments, may impact ecological interactions. We study here how within-individual plasticity in Moricandia arvensis flowers modifies its pollination niche. During spring, this plant produces large, cross-shaped, UV-reflecting lilac flowers attracting mostly long-tongued large bees. However, unlike most co-occurring species, M. arvensis keeps flowering during the hot, dry summer due to its plasticity in key vegetative traits. Changes in temperature and photoperiod in summer trigger changes in gene expression and the production of small, rounded, UV-absorbing white flowers that attract a different assemblage of generalist pollinators. This shift in pollination niche potentially allows successful reproduction in harsh conditions, facilitating M. arvensis to face anthropogenic perturbations and climate change. Floral phenotypes impact interactions between plants and pollinators. Here, the authors show that Moricandia arvensis displays discrete seasonal plasticity in floral phenotype, with large, lilac flowers attracting long-tongued bees in spring and small, rounded, white flowers attracting generalist pollinators in summer.Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (EU FEDER funds) CGL2015-71634-P CGL2015-63827-P CGL2017-86626-C2-1-P CGL2017-86626-C2-2-P UNGR15-CE-3315Junta de Andalucia P18-FR-3641Xunta de GaliciaBBVA Foundation PR17_ECO_0021Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness RYC-2012-12277Consejeria de Economia, Conocimiento, Empresas y Universidad SOMM17/6109/UGREuropean Union (EU) SOMM17/6109/UG

Molecular control of HIV-1 postintegration latency: implications for the development of new therapeutic strategies

The persistence of HIV-1 latent reservoirs represents a major barrier to virus eradication in infected patients under HAART since interruption of the treatment inevitably leads to a rebound of plasma viremia. Latency establishes early after infection notably (but not only) in resting memory CD4+ T cells and involves numerous host and viral trans-acting proteins, as well as processes such as transcriptional interference, RNA silencing, epigenetic modifications and chromatin organization. In order to eliminate latent reservoirs, new strategies are envisaged and consist of reactivating HIV-1 transcription in latently-infected cells, while maintaining HAART in order to prevent de novo infection. The difficulty lies in the fact that a single residual latently-infected cell can in theory rekindle the infection. Here, we review our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the establishment and maintenance of HIV-1 latency and in the transcriptional reactivation from latency. We highlight the potential of new therapeutic strategies based on this understanding of latency. Combinations of various compounds used simultaneously allow for the targeting of transcriptional repression at multiple levels and can facilitate the escape from latency and the clearance of viral reservoirs. We describe the current advantages and limitations of immune T-cell activators, inducers of the NF-κB signaling pathway, and inhibitors of deacetylases and histone- and DNA- methyltransferases, used alone or in combinations. While a solution will not be achieved by tomorrow, the battle against HIV-1 latent reservoirs is well- underway