Energy Efficiency and GHG Emissions: Prospective Scenarios for the Aluminium Industry

This study examines the possibilities for energy efficiency and GHG emission improvements in the European aluminium industry. The first part of the study presents the status quo of the industry in the EU28 and Iceland by compiling a database of existing plants with their production characteristics and the best available and innovative technologies (BATs/ITs). A model EU is then developed to simulate the trend in each plant towards 2050. The use of the model in different scenarios allows the analysis of the cost-effectiveness of investments in BATs/ITs. The results show that in absolute terms, for the whole industry the energy consumption and direct GHG emissions can decrease from 2010 to 2050 by 21% and 66%, respectively. And, in almost all scenarios, for the primary aluminium production there is a convergence in the reduction of specific energy consumption and direct GHG emissions of 23% and 72%, respectively. Since most of the savings come from technologies that are in early stages of research, there is a clear need of a decided push and of creating the right conditions to make these potential savings happen.JRC.F.6-Energy Technology Policy Outloo

Effect of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice on glucose tolerance, lipid metabolism, and obesity in a rat model of metabolic syndrome

Abstract Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a serious health condition. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of polyphenol-rich Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice (AMFJ) on glucose tolerance, triglyceride levels, and adipose tissue in rats with MS induced by high-fat high-fructose (HFHF) diet. Fifty rats were allocated in 5 groups: control, MS, MS+AMFJ2.5, MS+AMFJ5, and MS+AMFJ10. In the course of 10 weeks, the control group was on a regular rat diet while the other groups received HFHF diet. During the experiment, control and MS groups were treated daily orally with distilled water (10.0 mL kg−1) and the other three groups – with AMFJ at doses of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mL kg−1, respectively. In MS rats, glucose intolerance, hypertriglyceridemia, visceral obesity, and increased adipocyte size were observed. In AMFJ-treated groups, the serum glucose and triglycerides, as well as visceral fat and adipocyte size decreased significantly and did not differ from those of the control group. AMFJ at doses 2.5 and 5.0 mL kg−1 showed an anti-apoptotic activity in adipocytes, while at the dose of 10 mL kg−1 a pro-apoptotic effect was detected. In conclusion, AMFJ could antagonise most of the negative consequences of HFHF diet on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in a rat MS model

Polymorphism of CLE gene sequences in potato

CLE (CLV3/ESR) is one of the most important groups of peptide phytohormones: its members regulate the development of various plant organs and tissues, as well as interaction with some parasites and symbionts and response to environmental factors. In this regard, the identification and study of the CLE genes encoding the peptides of this group in cultivated plants are of great practical interest. Relatively little is known about the functions of CLE peptides in potato, since the CLE genes of the potato Solanum phureja Juz. et Buk. were characterized only in 2021. At the same time, potato includes plenty of tuberous species of the genus Solanum L., both wild and cultivated, and the diversity of its forms may depend on differences in the sequences of CLE genes. In this work, we performed a search for and analysis of the CLE gene sequences in three wild potato species (S. bukasovii Juz., S. verrucosum Schltdl., S. commersonii Dunal) and four cultivated species (S. chaucha Juz. et Buk., S. curtilobum Juz. et Buk., S. juzepczukii Juz. et Buk., S. ajanhuiri Juz. et Buk.). In total, we identified 332 CLE genes in the analyzed potato species: from 40 to 43 genes of this family for each potato species. All potato species taken for analysis had homologues of previously identified S. phureja CLE genes; at the same time, the CLE42 gene, which is absent from the S. phureja genome, is present in all other analyzed potato species. Polymorphism of CLE proteins of S. commersonii is significantly higher than that of other analyzed potato species, due to the fact that S. commersonii grows in places outside the growing areas of other potato species and this potato is probably not one of the ancestors of cultivated potato. We also found examples of polymorphism of domains of CLE proteins that carried different functions. Further study of potato CLE proteins will reveal their role in development, including regulation of productivity in this important agricultural crop

Targeting malaria parasites with novel derivatives of azithromycin

Introduction: The spread of artemisinin resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites is of global concern and highlights the need to identify new antimalarials for future treatments. Azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic used clinically against malaria, kills parasites via two mechanisms: ‘delayed death’ by inhibiting the bacterium-like ribosomes of the apicoplast, and ‘quick-killing’ that kills rapidly across the entire blood stage development. Methods: Here, 22 azithromycin analogues were explored for delayed death and quick-killing activities against P. falciparum (the most virulent human malaria) and P. knowlesi (a monkey parasite that frequently infects humans). Results: Seventeen analogues showed improved quick-killing against both Plasmodium species, with up to 38 to 20-fold higher potency over azithromycin after less than 48 or 28 hours of treatment for P. falciparum and P. knowlesi, respectively. Quick-killing analogues maintained activity throughout the blood stage lifecycle, including ring stages of P. falciparum parasites (5-fold more selective against P. falciparum than human cells. Isopentenyl pyrophosphate supplemented parasites that lacked an apicoplast were equally sensitive to quick-killing analogues, confirming that the quick killing activity of these drugs was not directed at the apicoplast. Further, activity against the related apicoplast containing parasite Toxoplasma gondii and the gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae did not show improvement over azithromycin, highlighting the specific improvement in antimalarial quick-killing activity. Metabolomic profiling of parasites subjected to the most potent compound showed a build-up of non-haemoglobin derived peptides that was similar to chloroquine, while also exhibiting accumulation of haemoglobin-derived peptides that was absent for chloroquine treatment. Discussion: The azithromycin analogues characterised in this study expand the structural diversity over previously reported quick-killing compounds and provide new starting points to develop azithromycin analogues with quickkilling antimalarial activity.Amy L. Burns, Brad E. Sleebs, Maria Gancheva, Kimberley T. McLean, Ghizal Siddiqui, Henrietta Venter, James G. Beeson, Ryan O, Handley, Darren J. Creek, Shutao Ma, Sonja Frölich, Christopher D. Goodman, Geoffrey I. McFadden, and Danny W. Wilso

Sulfonylpiperazine compounds prevent Plasmodium falciparum invasion of red blood cells through interference with actin-1/profilin dynamics

Published: April 13, 2023With emerging resistance to frontline treatments, it is vital that new antimalarial drugs are identified to target Plasmodium falciparum. We have recently described a compound, MMV020291, as a specific inhibitor of red blood cell (RBC) invasion, and have generated analogues with improved potency. Here, we generated resistance to MMV020291 and performed whole genome sequencing of 3 MMV020291-resistant populations. This revealed 3 nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in 2 genes; 2 in profilin (N154Y, K124N) and a third one in actin-1 (M356L). Using CRISPR-Cas9, we engineered these mutations into wild-type parasites, which rendered them resistant to MMV020291. We demonstrate that MMV020291 reduces actin polymerisation that is required by the merozoite stage parasites to invade RBCs. Additionally, the series inhibits the actin-1-dependent process of apicoplast segregation, leading to a delayed death phenotype. In vitro cosedimentation experiments using recombinant P. falciparum proteins indicate that potent MMV020291 analogues disrupt the formation of filamentous actin in the presence of profilin. Altogether, this study identifies the first compound series interfering with the actin-1/profilin interaction in P. falciparum and paves the way for future antimalarial development against the highly dynamic process of actin polymerisation.Madeline G. Dans, Henni Piirainen, William Nguyen, Sachin Khurana, Somya Mehra, Zahra Razook, Niall D. Geoghegan, Aurelie T. Dawson, Sujaan Das, Molly Parkyn Schneider, Thorey K. Jonsdottir, Mikha Gabriela, Maria R. Gancheva, Christopher J. Tonkin, Vanessa Mollard, Christopher Dean Goodman, Geoffrey I. McFadden, Danny W. Wilson, Kelly L. Rogers, Alyssa E. Barry, Brendan S. Crabb, Tania F. de Koning-Ward, Brad E. Sleebs, Inari Kursula, Paul R. Gilso

International Consensus Based Review and Recommendations for Minimum Reporting Standards in Research on Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (Version 2020).

Given its non-invasive nature, there is increasing interest in the use of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) across basic, translational and clinical research. Contemporaneously, tVNS can be achieved by stimulating either the auricular branch or the cervical bundle of the vagus nerve, referred to as transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation(VNS) and transcutaneous cervical VNS, respectively. In order to advance the field in a systematic manner, studies using these technologies need to adequately report sufficient methodological detail to enable comparison of results between studies, replication of studies, as well as enhancing study participant safety. We systematically reviewed the existing tVNS literature to evaluate current reporting practices. Based on this review, and consensus among participating authors, we propose a set of minimal reporting items to guide future tVNS studies. The suggested items address specific technical aspects of the device and stimulation parameters. We also cover general recommendations including inclusion and exclusion criteria for participants, outcome parameters and the detailed reporting of side effects. Furthermore, we review strategies used to identify the optimal stimulation parameters for a given research setting and summarize ongoing developments in animal research with potential implications for the application of tVNS in humans. Finally, we discuss the potential of tVNS in future research as well as the associated challenges across several disciplines in research and clinical practice

HEALTH AND SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING THROUGH THE EYES OF YOUNG PEOPLE

The objective of this communication is to investigate the perceptions of health and subjective well-being by young people in contemporary Bulgarian society. A heterogeneous sample of young people was studied (n=100). The following indicators were considered: age (19-30 years), gender (50% male/50% female), employment (53% students/47% employed), education (60% secondary/40% higher), and familial status (74% single/26% married). A questionnaire containing 22 questions, of which 4 open and requiring the definition of the terms of ‘health‘ and ‘happiness` as well as indication of the factors associated with them was used. Alternative, graphical and correlation analyses were applied. Forty percent of the respondents associated health with the ‘absence of disease`, 38% - with the ‘greatest happiness` and the rest 22% - with the ‘resource for accomplishing your goals`. In 78% of the respondents the concepts of health and happiness (a component of subjective well-being) overlapped. Life satisfaction was related to personal achievements in 66% while happiness was more common thus summarizing emotional category refracted through individual paradigms, needs and circumstances of the individual. For young people, health is a fully functioning and self-realization rather than an absence of a disease, i. e. holistic health - physical, mental, social and spiritual, which, according to 78% of the respondents, is equivalent to happiness. For 84% of the respondents, happiness and life satisfaction are not identical concepts, hence subjective well-being should be considered a two-component construc

Патерн експресії ізоформ NOS в аркуатному ядрі гіпоталамуса при експериментальній артеріальній гіпертензії

In is known, that one of the main regulators of the blood pressure (BP) is hypothalamus. The efficiency of the BP regulation in a changeable environment is dependable on its coherence and coordination. This intrahypothalamic coordinator is an arcuate nucleus. One of the main conditions of the proper neuronal function is combination of their functional stability and plasticity, which is strictly dependable on adequate blood supply, metabolic and trophic processes. One of the key regulators of the above mentioned features is nitric oxide (NO).The purpose was to establish the pathogenetic link of NO synthases isoforms imbalance in Arc of hypothalamus with formation of hypertension in etiologically different models of essential hypertension (SHR) and endocrine-saline model (ESM).Materials and methods. Study was conducted on 48 mature male rats with weight of 250–270 gram and age of 13–14 months, which were allocated into 3 experimental groups of 16 animals: the 1st group was control with Wistar rats; the 2nd group comprised of Wistar rats with ESM and the 3rd was made of SHR.Results. Formation of the hypertension in ESM and SHR rats led to similar changes of the pattern of NOS isoforms expression. We found the significant increase of the IRM content to nNOS and iNOS, but decrease to eNOS. In the same time, the constitutive isoforms concentration (nNOS and eNOS) was significantly lower compared with control group, and iNOS concentration in both groups with hypertension was higher than in control group (6 % and 9 %, p < 0.05, respectively).Conclusions: In rats with normal BP in Arc, the most expressed NOS isoform was the endothelial one. We found the typical changes in the pattern of the NOS isoforms allocation. We also found the increase of the content of all isoforms with the decrease of the concentration of constitutional ones (nNOS and eNOS), but the increase of the iNOS concentration.Известно, что основным центральным регулятором артериального давления (АД) является гипоталамус и его ядра. От согласованности и скоординированности их действия будет зависеть эффективность регуляции АД в изменяющихся условиях. Таким внутригипоталамическим координатором является аркуатное ядро. Важным условием эффективности работы нейронов в структуре является сочетание функциональной стабильности с пластичностью нейрональных процессов, что обеспечивается адекватным кровоснабжением, обменными и трофическими процессами. Одним из ключевых регуляторов вышеописанных процессов в ЦНС является оксид азота (NO).Цель работы – установить патогенетическую связь дисбаланса изоформ NOS в АрЯ гипоталамуса с формированием артериальной гипертензии при этиологически разных её моделях – эссенциальной (крысы линии SHR) и эндокринно-солевой (ЭСГ).Материалы и методы. Исследование было проведено на 48 половозрелых крысах-самцах массой 250–270 г, возраст – 13–14 месяцев, которые были разделены на три экспериментальные группы по 16 животных в каждой: 1 контрольная – крысы линии Wistar, 2 – крысы линии Wistar с эндокринно-солевой моделью гипертензии; 3 – крысы линии SHR со спонтанной гипертензией.Результаты. Сформированная АГ у крыс линии SHR и с ЭСГ приводила к однотипным изменениям в паттерне экспрессии изоформ NOS. Наблюдалось достоверное увеличение содержания ИРМ к nNOS и iNOS, но снижение его к еNOS. При этом концентрации конститутивных изоформ фермента nNOS и еNOS становились достоверно ниже, чем контроль, а концентрация iNOS в обеих группах с АГ превысила значения крыс с нормальным АД на 9 % (p < 0,05) у SHR и у крыс с ЭСГ – на 6 % (p < 0,05).Выводы. У крыс с нормальным АД в АрЯ гипоталамуса наиболее представленной из изоформ является эндотелиальная форма фермента. При разных по этиологическому фактору АГ (эссенциальная или эндокринно-солевая) в АрЯ гипоталамуса наблюдаются однотипные изменения в паттерне распределения изоформ NOS. Характерно увеличение содержания в структуре ядра всех трёх форм фермента со снижением концентрации ИРМ к конститутивным изоформам nNOS и еNOS, но увеличением её к iNOS.Відомо, що основним центральним регулятором артеріального тиску (АТ) є гіпоталамус та його ядра. Від злагодженості та скоординованості їхніх дій буде залежати ефективність регуляції артеріального тиску в умовах, що змінюються. Таким внутрішньогіпоталамічним координатором є аркуатне ядро. Важливою умовою ефективності роботи нейронів у структурі є поєднання функціональної стабільності з пластичністю нейрональних процесів, що забезпечується адекватним кровопостачанням, обмінними та трофічними процесами. Одним із ключових регуляторів описаних вище процесів у ЦНС є оксид азоту (NO).Мета роботи – встановити патогенетичний зв'язок дисбалансу изоформ NOS в АрЯ гіпоталамуса з формуванням артеріальної гіпертензії при етіологічно різних її моделях – есенціальної (щури лінії SHR) та ендокринно-сольової (ЕСГ).Матеріали та методи. Дослідження здійснили на 48 статевозрілих щурах-самцях масою 250–270 г, віком 13–14 місяців, які були поділені на три експериментальні групи по 16 тварин у кожній: 1 контрольна – щури лінії Wistar, 2 – щури лінії Wistar з ендокринно-сольовою моделлю гіпертензії; 3 – щури лінії SHR зі спонтанною гіпертензією.Результати. Сформована АГ у щурів лінії SHR і з ЕСГ призводила до однакових змін у патерні експресії ізоформ NOS. Спостерігалося вірогідне збільшення вмісту ІРМ до nNOS та iNOS, але зниження його до еNOS. При цьому концентрації конститутивних ізоформ ферменту nNOS та еNOS ставали вірогідно нижчими, ніж у контролі, а концентрація iNOS в обох групах з АГ перевищила значення щурів із нормальним артеріальним тиском на 9 % (p < 0,05) у SHR і в щурів з ЕСГ – на 6 % (p < 0,05).Висновки. У щурів із нормальним артеріальним тиском в АрЯ гіпоталамуса найбільш представленою з ізоформ є ендотеліальна форма ферменту. При різних за етіологічним фактором АГ (есенціальна або ендокринно-сольова) в АрЯ гіпоталамуса спостерігаються однотипні зміни в патерні розподілу ізоформ NOS. Характерно збільшення вмісту у структурі ядра всіх трьох форм ферменту зі зниженням концентрації ІРМ до конститутивних ізоформ nNOS та еNOS, але збільшенням її до iNOS.