Cell suppression problem: A genetic-based approach

Cell suppression is one of the most frequently used techniques to prevent the disclosure of sensitive data in statistical tables. Finding the minimum cost set of nonsensitive entries to suppress, along with the sensitive ones, in order to make a table safe for publication, is a NP-hard problem, denoted the cell suppression problem (CSP). In this paper, we present GenSup, a new heuristic for the CSP, which combines the general features of genetic algorithms with safety conditions derived by several authors. The safety conditions are used to develop fast procedures to generate multiple initial solutions and also to recombine, to perturb and to repair solutions in order to improve their quality. The results obtained for 300 tables, with up to more than 90,000 entries, show that GenSup is very effective at finding low-cost sets of complementary suppressions to protect confidential data in two-dimensional tables.(2008).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Placing land cover pattern preferences on the map. Bridging methodological approaches of landscape preferences surveys and spatial pattern analysis

This paper presents an innovative methodological framework – Landscape Preferences Spatial Framework (LPSF) – which is able to translate landscape preferences, as expressed by various users, concerning possible land cover pattern compositions into land cover pattern preference maps. The innovative potential of the contribution lies in the exploration of a comprehensive methodical framework that facilitates the spatial representations of landscape demands by relevant user groups thus bridging the gap between landscape preference research and landscape planning. The LPSF developed here goes beyond the state of the art in translating local scale preference by people into regional scale planning settings. Throughout the paper the development and testing of the LPSF is described and explained. Although the paper focuses on the conceptual framework of the method, it also shows the results of its application in a case study

Antimicrobial activity of in-situ bacterial nanocellulose-zinc oxide composites for food packaging

Active substances such as zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) have been extensively explored due to their antimicrobial properties, low cost and scalability. Yet, their effectiveness is highly dependent on their morphology and specific surface area. Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a suitable carrier due to its ability to transport and deliver active substances. In the case of nanocellulose-ZnO composites, conclusions drawn from antimicrobial studies are often based on only a few representatives of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. A more comprehensive study using different species and strains, and different methods to assess antimicrobial activity is required. Therefore, in this work, the antimicrobial activity of ZnO suspensions and BNCZnO films was assessed against a wide range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria using disc diffusion and viable cell count assays. Regarding the results of the disc diffusion assay, the increase of ZnO content (21–27% mZn/mBNCZnO) (in both ZnO suspensions and BNCZnO films), increased antimicrobial activity against all Gram-negative bacteria tested and some Gram-positive bacteria. In the viable cell count assay, BNCZnO films were effective against Escherichia coli (3 log reduction) and Listeria monocytogenes (1–3 log reduction) after 24 h. Low temperatures reduced the antimicrobial activity of BNCZnO.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Lean Safety - assessment of the impact of 5S and Visual Management on safety

This study was developed in a furniture company and aimed to implement some Lean tools, such as 5S and Visual Management to reduce waste, by improving the production process. To carry out this analysis an observation plan was used, having the Spaghetti diagram as a reference as well as the value-added analysis of the operations. The implementation of 5S's allowed the improvement of the visual management and the organization through a reorganization of the layout, as well as normalization of the production process. With this, a reduction of 40% was achieved in terms of waste related to activities that did not add value to the product, such as unnecessary movements, waiting times and even movement of materials, having achieved a level of productivity of 74% and 87% in the finishing and joinery sections, respectively. In addition to improvements in the production process, the impact of the measures at the safety level (lean safety) was assessed. For this purpose, a questionnaire was prepared to assess the opinion of the employees, in which 40% considered that the implementation of the tools provided a greater motivation to develop their work activities safelyinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Manipulating Eryptosis of Human Red Blood Cells: A Novel Antimalarial Strategy?

Malaria is a major global health burden, affecting over 200 million people worldwide. Resistance against all currently available antimalarial drugs is a growing threat, and represents a major and long-standing obstacle to malaria eradication. Like many intracellular pathogens, Plasmodium parasites manipulate host cell signaling pathways, in particular programmed cell death pathways. Interference with apoptotic pathways by malaria parasites is documented in the mosquito and human liver stages of infection, but little is known about this phenomenon in the erythrocytic stages. Although mature erythrocytes have lost all organelles, they display a form of programmed cell death termed eryptosis. Numerous features of eryptosis resemble those of nucleated cell apoptosis, including surface exposure of phosphatidylserine, cell shrinkage and membrane ruffling. Upon invasion, Plasmodium parasites induce significant stress to the host erythrocyte, while delaying the onset of eryptosis. Many eryptotic inducers appear to have a beneficial effect on the course of malaria infection in murine models, but major gaps remain in our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. All currently available antimalarial drugs have parasite-encoded targets, which facilitates the emergence of resistance through selection of mutations that prevent drug-target binding. Identifying host cell factors that play a key role in parasite survival will provide new perspectives for host-directed anti-malarial chemotherapy. This review focuses on the interrelationship between Plasmodium falciparum and the eryptosis of its host erythrocyte. We summarize the current knowledge in this area, highlight the different schools of thoughts and existing gaps in knowledge, and discuss future perspectives for host-directed therapies in the context of antimalarial drug discovery

Performance of bacterial nanocellulose packaging film functionalised in situ with zinc oxide: migration onto chicken skin and antimicrobial activity

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) are cost-effective antimicrobial agents with great potential for the active packaging industry. Bacterial NanoCellulose (BNC) features a porous fibre network, with high absorption capacity, flexible and with good mechanical properties, suitable as a carrier of active agents. In this work, BNCZnO films were developed and optimized regarding the particle size and ZnO concentration. The NaOH dropwise addition to BNC membranes immersed in Zn(CH3COO)2-PVOH enabled the production of ZnO nanoparticles with an z-average of 144 nm and a low polydispersity index. High ZnO incorporation (∼27%mZn/mBNCZnO) was obtained, with uniform distribution all over the BNC membranes. These composites were then characterized and evaluated for Zn migration using food simulants (10%, 20%, and 50% ethanol) with results lower than the limit. Migration into chicken skin, as a real food model, was low at 4 °C but exceeded the migration limit at 10 and 22 °C. Zn migration was also found to be temperature and pH dependent. When applied to chicken skin, BNCZnO was effective against E. coli, Salmonella (0.5–1.0 log reduction), and Campylobacter spp. (2.0 log reduction), indicating its potential for active packaging applications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessment of a protease inhibitor peptide for anti-ageing

Ageing and skin exposure to UV radiation induces production and activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and human neutrophil elastase (HNE). These enzymes are known to break down the extracellular matrix (ECM) which leads to wrinkle formation. Here, we demonstrated the potential of a solid-in-oil nanodispersion containing a competitive inhibitor peptide of HNE mixed with hyaluronic acid (HA), displaying 158 nm of mean diameter, to protect the skin against the ageing effects. Western blot analysis demonstrated that activation of MMP-1 in fibroblasts by HNE treatment is inhibited by the solid-in-oil nanodispersion containing the peptide and HA. The results clearly demonstrate that solid-in-oil nanodispersion containing the HNE inhibitor peptide is a promising strategy for anti-ageing effects. This effect can be seen particularly by ECM regulation by affecting fibroblasts. The formulation also enhances the formation of thicker bundles of actin filaments.We thank Matadouro - Central Carnes de Entre Douro e Minho, Lda for their support on pig samples. The histological studies were supported by the Department of Histology from Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho. The authors thank the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia the strategic funding of ID/BIO/04469/ 2013 unit

Performance of bacterial nanocellulose packaging film functionalised in situ with zinc oxide: Migration onto chicken skin and antimicrobial activity

Supplementary data associated with this article can be found in the online version at doi:10.1016/j.fpsl.2023.101140.Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) are cost-effective antimicrobial agents with great potential for the active packaging industry. Bacterial NanoCellulose (BNC) features a porous fibre network, with high absorption capacity, flexible and with good mechanical properties, suitable as a carrier of active agents. In this work, BNCZnO films were developed and optimized regarding the particle size and ZnO concentration. The NaOH dropwise addition to BNC membranes immersed in Zn(CH3COO)2-PVOH enabled the production of ZnO nanoparticles with an z-average of 144 nm and a low polydispersity index. High ZnO incorporation (27%mZn/mBNCZnO) was obtained, with uniform distribution all over the BNC membranes. These composites were then characterized and evaluated for Zn migration using food simulants (10%, 20%, and 50% ethanol) with results lower than the limit. Migration into chicken skin, as a real food model, was low at 4 °C but exceeded the migration limit at 10 and 22 °C. Zn migration was also found to be temperature and pH dependent. When applied to chicken skin, BNCZnO was effective against E. coli, Salmonella (0.51.0 log reduction), and Campylobacter spp. (2.0 log reduction), indicating its potential for active packaging applications.The authors appreciate the technical support from CINATE team, especially Susana Teixeira for the assistance in atomic absorption spectroscopy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

crystallization and structure determination using soft X-rays

Superoxide reductase is a 14 kDa metalloprotein containing a catalytic nonhaem iron centre [Fe(His)4Cys]. It is involved in defence mechanisms against oxygen toxicity, scavenging superoxide radicals from the cell. The oxidized form of Treponema pallidum superoxide reductase was crystallized in the presence of polyethylene glycol and magnesium chloride. Two crystal forms were obtained depending on the oxidizing agents used after purification: crystals grown in the presence of K3Fe(CN)6 belonged to space group P21 (unit-cell parameters a = 60.3, b = 59.9, c = 64.8 A ° , = 106.9 ) and diffracted beyond 1.60 A ° resolution, while crystals grown in the presence of Na2IrCl6 belonged to space group C2 (a = 119.4, b = 60.1, c = 65.6 A ° , = 104.9 ) and diffracted beyond 1.55 A ° . A highly redundant X-ray diffraction data set from the C2 crystal form collected on a copper rotating-anode generator ( = 1.542 A ° ) clearly defined the positions of the four Fe atoms present in the asymmetric unit by SAD methods. A MAD experiment at the iron absorption edge confirmed the positions of the previously determined iron sites and provided better phases for model building and refinement. Molecular replacement using the P21 data set was successful using a preliminary trace as a search model. A similar arrangement of the four protein molecules could be observed

Serosurveillance and Molecular Investigation of Wild Deer in Australia Reveals Seroprevalence of Pestivirus Infection

Since deer were introduced into Australia in the mid-1800s, their wild populations have increased in size and distribution, posing a potential risk to the livestock industry, through their role in pathogen transmission cycles. In comparison to livestock, there are limited data on viral infections in all wildlife, including deer. The aim of this study was to assess blood samples from wild Australian deer for serological evidence of exposure to relevant viral livestock diseases. Blood samples collected across eastern Australia were tested by ELISA to detect antigens and antibodies against Pestivirus and antibodies against bovine herpesvirus 1. A subset of samples was also assessed by RT-PCR for Pestivirus, Simbu serogroup, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus and bovine ephemeral fever virus. Our findings demonstrated a very low seroprevalence (3%) for ruminant Pestivirus, and none of the other viruses tested were detected. These results suggest that wild deer may currently be an incidental spill-over host (rather than a reservoir host) for Pestivirus. However, deer could be a future source of viral infections for domestic animals in Australia. Further investigations are needed to monitor pathogen activity and quantify possible future infectious disease impacts of wild deer on the Australian livestock industry