Partial characterization of enzymatic activities produced by a wild strain of <i>A. niger</i>

Aspergillus niger, isolated from decay citrus peels in the province of Misiones, was able to produce pectinases by submerged fermentation. The enzymatic extract exhibited polygalacturonase, pectinesterase and lyase activities. Others enzymes capable of degrading cell wall polymers were also detected in the enzymatic extract such as cellulases and xylanases. Polygalacturonase was an endo-polygalacturonase. The enzyme exhibited a maximal activity at pH range between 4.5 to 5.0, was stable in the pH range from 2.5 to 5.5 and remained unchanged when was incubated at temperatures lower than 50 ºC. The fungi produced three PG isoenzymes. The enzymatic extract was able to clarify apple juice. The results observed make the pectinolytic enzymes produced by A. niger appropriate for future application in fruit juice processing industries.Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriale

Partial characterization of enzymatic activities produced by a wild strain of <i>A. niger</i>

Aspergillus niger, isolated from decay citrus peels in the province of Misiones, was able to produce pectinases by submerged fermentation. The enzymatic extract exhibited polygalacturonase, pectinesterase and lyase activities. Others enzymes capable of degrading cell wall polymers were also detected in the enzymatic extract such as cellulases and xylanases. Polygalacturonase was an endo-polygalacturonase. The enzyme exhibited a maximal activity at pH range between 4.5 to 5.0, was stable in the pH range from 2.5 to 5.5 and remained unchanged when was incubated at temperatures lower than 50 ºC. The fungi produced three PG isoenzymes. The enzymatic extract was able to clarify apple juice. The results observed make the pectinolytic enzymes produced by A. niger appropriate for future application in fruit juice processing industries.Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriale

Partial characterization of enzymatic activities produced by a wild strain of <i>A. niger</i>

Aspergillus niger, isolated from decay citrus peels in the province of Misiones, was able to produce pectinases by submerged fermentation. The enzymatic extract exhibited polygalacturonase, pectinesterase and lyase activities. Others enzymes capable of degrading cell wall polymers were also detected in the enzymatic extract such as cellulases and xylanases. Polygalacturonase was an endo-polygalacturonase. The enzyme exhibited a maximal activity at pH range between 4.5 to 5.0, was stable in the pH range from 2.5 to 5.5 and remained unchanged when was incubated at temperatures lower than 50 ºC. The fungi produced three PG isoenzymes. The enzymatic extract was able to clarify apple juice. The results observed make the pectinolytic enzymes produced by A. niger appropriate for future application in fruit juice processing industries.Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriale

A multi- and mixed-method adaptation study of a patient-centered perioperative mental health intervention bundle

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression are common among older adults and can intensify during perioperative periods, but few mental health interventions are designed for older surgical patients\u27 unique needs. As part of the feasibility trial, we developed and adapted a perioperative mental health (PMH) bundle for older patients comprised of behavioral activation (BA) and medication optimization (MO) to ameliorate anxiety and depressive symptoms before, during, and after cardiac, orthopedic, and oncologic surgery. METHODS: We used mixed-methods including workshop studios with patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and interventionists; intervention refinement and reflection meetings; patient case review meetings; intervention session audio-recordings and documentation forms; and patient and caregiver semi-structured interviews. We used the results to refine our PMH bundle. We used multiple analytical approaches to report the nature of adaptations, including hybrid thematic analysis and content analysis informed by the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications - Expanded. RESULTS: Adaptations were categorized by content (intervention components), context (how the intervention is delivered, based on the study, target population, intervention format, intervention delivery mode, study setting, study personnel), training, and evaluation. Of 51 adaptations, 43.1% involved content, 41.2% involved context, and 15.7% involved training and evaluation. Several key adaptations were noted: (1) Intervention content was tailored to patient preferences and needs (e.g., rewording elements to prevent stigmatization of mental health needs; adjusting BA techniques and documentation forms to improve patient buy-in and motivation). (2) Cohort-specific adaptations were recommended based on differing patient needs. (3) Compassion was identified by patients as the most important element. CONCLUSIONS: We identified evidence-based mental health intervention components from other settings and adapted them to the perioperative setting for older adults. Informed by mixed-methods, we created an innovative and pragmatic patient-centered intervention bundle that is acceptable, feasible, and responsive to the needs of older surgical populations. This approach allowed us to identify implementation strategies to improve the reach, scalability, and sustainability of our bundle, and can guide future patient-centered intervention adaptations. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT05110690 (11/08/2021)

Advances in the description of the system of admission and tutorial accompaniment at the Faculty of Exact Chemical and Natural Sciences (Universidad Nacional de Misiones)

Fil: Acuña, Miriam Gladys. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Programa de Ingreso, Permanencia y Tutorías; Argentina.Fil: Medina, Gladis Edith. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Marchak, Griselda Marilú. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Baumann, Alicia Jeannette. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Medina, Gladis Edith. Consorcio Nacional de Grupos de Investigación de Educación en Ciencias; Argentina.Fil: Marchak, Griselda Marilú. Consorcio Nacional de Grupos de Investigación de Educación en Ciencias; Argentina.Fil: Baumann, Alicia Jeannette. Consorcio Nacional de Grupos de Investigación de Educación en Ciencias; Argentina.A partir de la promulgación de la Ley 27204/15 sobre las políticas educativas de ingreso en las universidades nacionales se consolidaron algunas prácticas o se restructuraron. En la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas de la Universidad Nacional de Misiones, anualmente se ajustan los contenidos a nivelar y los módulos y contenidos surgen mediante acuerdo con los directores de carrera. El programa de ingreso, permanencia y tutorías ejerce el rol de facilitador de la ambientación a la vida universitaria mediante la actuación de los tutores docentes y pares a partir del ingreso de los estudiantes. Aun así, los estudiantes revelan dificultades para insertarse y permanecer. Se presentan los avances del proyecto de investigación “Estudio del sistema de ingreso y del acompañamiento tutorial en la FCEQyN”, que busca contribuir a un mejoramiento de la calidad del ingreso.Since the promulgation of Law 27204/15 on educational policies for entry into national universities, some practices were consolidated or restructured. In the Faculty of Exact Sciences at the Universidad Nacional de Misiones, the contents to be leveled are adjusted annually and the modules and contents arise by agreement with the career directors. The program of admission, permanence and mentoring facilitates the setting to the university life through the performance of the tutors, teachers and peers from the entrance of the students. Even so, students have difficulty inserting and staying. The present work presents the advances of the investigation project “Estudio del sistema de ingreso y del acompañamiento tutorial en la FCEQyN”, which seeks to contribute to an improvement regards the quality of the access to the university

Description of teaching materials for laboratory experiences of chemistry. His influence on the construction of knowledge

Se describen y analizan las guías de trabajos prácticos delaboratorio de once asignaturas del campo disciplinar Química del ciclobásico de ocho carreras de grado y pregrado pertenecientes a la Facultad deCiencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales (FCEQyN) de la Universidad Nacional deMisiones (UNaM), considerando los contenidos, estructura, diseño y objetivos.Complementariamente, se encuestó a una muestra de estudiantes sobre lapotencialidad del material didáctico. El estudio mostró que el material didácticopropende a lograr entrenamiento técnico y necesitaría de algunos ajustespara propiciar un entrenamiento estratégico del estudiante; presentandosituaciones nuevas y abiertas que le demanden la toma de decisiones sobre losconceptos a aplicar, el cuándo y el cómo. Los estudiantes prefieren actividadesdonde perciben cambios visibles como aparición de precipitados o cambios decoloración. Requieren realizar más prácticas individuales desde el principio, seencuentran ávidos de adquirir destrezas y habilidades, ?hacerlo yo?.The practical laboratory guides of eleven subjects of the disciplinary field Chemistry of the basic cycle of eight undergraduate and undergraduate careers belonging to the Faculty of Exact Chemical and Natural Sciences (FCEQyN) of the National University of Misiones (UNaM) are described and analyzed, considering the contents, structure, design and objectives. In addition, a sample of students was surveyed about the potential of the teaching material. The study showed that the didactic material tends to achieve technical training and would need some adjustments to promote a strategic training of the student; presenting new and open situations that demand the decision making on the concepts to apply, when and how. Students prefer activities where they perceive visible changes such as appearance of precipitates or changes in coloration. They require more individual practices from the beginning, they are eager to acquire skills and abilities, “do it myself”.Fil: Acuña, Miriam Gladys. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Marchak, Griselda Marilu. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Medina, Gladis Edith. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Baumann, Alicia Jeannette. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Lorenzo, Maria Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Centro de Investigación y Apoyo a la Educación Científica; Argentin

Respuesta del cultivo de maíz a la fertilización nitrogenada en la pampa ondulada, campañas 1980-81 - 1983-84 : modelos predictivos y explicativos

p.65-84En función de las conclusiones obtenidas en la primera parte del trabajo, y con el objetivo de establecer modelos explicativos y predictivos del rendimiento del cultivo de maíz y su respuesta a la fertilización nitrogenada, se utilizaron procedimientos de regresión múltiple tomando en cuenta variables edáficas, meteorológicas y de manejo, las que fueron consideradas en su forma original y en sus transformadas logarítmica e inversa. Dichas variables fueron: contenido promedio de nitratos a tres profundidades (0-20; 0-40 y 0-60 cm) desde la siembra y a lo largo del cultivo; porcentaje de C orgánico total, porcentaje de C sobrenadante, porcentaje de N total, porcentaje de N hidrolizable, nitratos producidos por incubación durante 14 días, N potencialmente mineralizable (N°) de 2-4 semanas, 4-8 semanas y 2-8 semanas, precipitaciones durante el barbecho y desde 90 días pre-siembra, desde 90 días presiembra hasta 4-6 hojas, desde siembra a prefloración, de prefloración a grano formado y desde grano formado a madurez fisiológica. Las variables culturales fueron: años de agricultura, días de barbecho, densidad de plantas y fecha de siembra. La elaboración de los modelos predictivos de respuesta fue efectuada considerando a la variable dependiente en sus dos formas: rendimiento relativo (RR) y eficiencia de conversión para la primera dosis de N (E1D), la que correspondió a unos 44 kg-ha. En el primer caso la relación entre el rendimiento del tratamiento con fertilizante y el del testigo pudo ser explicada satisfactoriamente a través de un modelo integrado por la concentración de nitratos hasta 60 cm de profundidad a la siembra, contenido de carbono orgánico en capa arable, lluvias desde 90 días pre-siembra hasta 4-6 hojas y años de agricultura; el R2 alcanzó al 75 por ciento en este modelo, desarrollado para la población no soja. Una ecuación de estructura similar arrojó, en el caso de la eficiencia de conversión, un R2 de 80 por ciento. Los modelos explicativos de los rendimientos del tratamiento testigo (RT) incluyeron precipitaciones de prefloración a grano fondado, nitratos de 0-60 cm de profundidad a la siembra, potencial de producción de nitratos por incubación y años de agricultura. Los coeficientes de determinación llegaron en algunos casos al 80 por ciento

Comparison of radon mapping methods for the delineation of radon priority areas - an exercise

Background: Many different methods are applied for radon mapping depending on the purpose of the map and the data that are available. In addition, the definitions of radon priority areas (RPA) in EU Member States, as requested in the new European EURATOM BSS (1), are diverse. Objective: 1) Comparison of methods for mapping geogenic and indoor radon, 2) the possible transferability of a mapping method developed in one region to other regions and 3) the evaluation of the impact of different mapping methods on the delineation of RPAs. Design: Different mapping methods and several RPA definitions were applied to the same data sets from six municipalities in Austria and Cantabria, Spain. Results: Some mapping methods revealed a satisfying degree of agreement, but relevant differences were also observed. The chosen threshold for RPA classification has a major impact, depending on the level of radon concentration in the area. The resulting maps were compared regarding the spatial estimates and the delineation of RPAs. Conclusions: Not every mapping method is suitable for every available data set. Data robustness and harmonisation are the main requirements, especially if the used data set is not designed for a specific technique. Different mapping methods often deliver similar results in RPA classification. The definition of thresholds for the classification and delineation of RPAs is a guidance factor in the mapping process and is as relevant as harmonising mapping methods depending on the radon levels in the area.Funding: This work is supported by the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR), JRPContract 16ENV10 MetroRADON (www.euramet.com). The EMPIR initiative is co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the EMPIR Participating States

SETBP1 induces transcription of a network of development genes by acting as an epigenetic hub

SETBP1 variants occur as somatic mutations in several hematological malignancies such as atypical chronic myeloid leukemia and as de novo germline mutations in the Schinzel-Giedion syndrome. Here we show that SETBP1 binds to gDNA in AT-rich promoter regions, causing activation of gene expression through recruitment of a HCF1/KMT2A/PHF8 epigenetic complex. Deletion of two AT-hooks abrogates the binding of SETBP1 to gDNA and impairs target gene upregulation. Genes controlled by SETBP1 such as MECOM are significantly upregulated in leukemias containing SETBP1 mutations. Gene ontology analysis of deregulated SETBP1 target genes indicates that they are also key controllers of visceral organ development and brain morphogenesis. In line with these findings, in utero brain electroporation of mutated SETBP1 causes impairment of mouse neurogenesis with a profound delay in neuronal migration. In summary, this work unveils a SETBP1 function that directly affects gene transcription and clarifies the mechanism operating in myeloid malignancies and in the Schinzel- Giedion syndrome caused by SETBP1 mutations.Peer reviewe