Genome-wide diversity and global migration patterns in dromedaries follow ancient caravan routes

Dromedaries have been essential for the prosperity of civilizations in arid environments and the dispersal of humans, goods and cultures along ancient, cross-continental trading routes. With increasing desertification their importance as livestock species is rising rapidly, but little is known about their genome-wide diversity and demographic history. As previous studies using few nuclear markers found weak phylogeographic structure, here we detected fine-scale population differentiation in dromedaries across Asia and Africa by adopting a genome-wide approach. Global patterns of effective migration rates revealed pathways of dispersal after domestication, following historic caravan routes like the Silk and Incense Roads. Our results show that a Pleistocene bottleneck and Medieval expansions during the rise of the Ottoman empire have shaped genome-wide diversity in modern dromedaries. By understanding subtle population structure we recognize the value of small, locally adapted populations and appeal for securing genomic diversity for a sustainable utilization of this key desert species

Improved THETA-1 for light olefins oligomerization to diesel: Influence of textural and acidic properties

The increase in diesel demand, especially in Europe, and the need for high fuel quality requirements are forcing refiners to move into additional processes for production of high cetane diesel in order to meet the present market trends. Oligomerization of light olefins into middle distillate range products is a viable option. The fuel produced through this technology is environmentally friendly, free of sulfur and aromatics, and the adequate choice of the heterogeneous catalyst will direct the selectivity towards low branched oligomers, which will result in a high quality product. In this work we show the benefits of combining basic desilication treatments for generation of additional mesoporosity in mono-directional Theta-1 zeolite, with selective acid dealumination steps that restore not only the microporosity to values close to those of the parent samples, but also the total and strong Bronsted acidity. These modified Theta-1 zeolites present an outstanding catalytic behavior for oligomerization of propene, with a largely increased initial activity, a much higher resistance to deactivation with time on stream, and an improved selectivity to products in the diesel fraction, as compared to the original microporous Theta-1.The authors thank BP Products of North America for their financial support and permission to publish this work, and Consolider Ingenio 2010-Multicat, the "Severo Ochoa Program", and MAT2012-31657 for financial support. R. Sanchis is acknowledged for technical support.Martínez, C.; Doskocil, EJ.; Corma Canós, A. (2014). Improved THETA-1 for light olefins oligomerization to diesel: Influence of textural and acidic properties. Topics in Catalysis. 57(6-9):668-682. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11244-013-0224-xS668682576-9Bellussi G, Mizia F, Calemma V, Pollesel P, Millini R (2012) Microporous Mesoporous Mater 164:127–134Bellussi G, Carati A, Millini R (2010) In: Cejka J, Corma A, Zones S (eds) Zeolites and Catalysis. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co., Weinheim, pp 449–491Martinez C, Corma A (2011) Coord Chem Rev 255:1558–1580de Klerk A (2005) Ind Eng Chem Res 44:3887–3893de Klerk A (2006) Energy Fuels 20:439–445de Klerk A (2006) Energy Fuels 20:1799–1805Egloff G (1936) Ind Eng Chem Res 28:1461–1467Degnan TF Jr, Smith CM, Venkat CR (2001) Appl Catal A Gen 221:283–294Apelian MR, Boulton JR, Fung AS (1994) US5284989, to Mobil OilQuann RJ, Green LA, Tabak SA, Krambeck FJ (1988) Ind Eng Chem Res 27:565–570Tabak SA, Krambeck FJ, Garwood WE (1986) AIChE J 32:1526–1531Corma A, Martínez C, Doskocil EJ (2013) J Catal 300:183–196Martens JA, Ravishankar R, Mishin IE, Jacobs PE (2000) Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 39:4376–4379Martens JA, Verrelst WH, Mathys GM, Brown SH, Jacobs PA (2005) Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 117(5833–583):6Pater JPG, Jacobs PA, Martens JA (1998) J Catal 179:477–482Tabak SA (1981) US4254295, to Mobil OilOccelli ML, Hsu JT, Galya LG (1985) J Mol Catal A: Chem 32:377–390Tabak SA (1984) US4504693, to Mobil Oil CorpKholer E, Schmidt F, Wernicke HJ, Pontes MD, Roberts HL (1995, Summer) Hydrocarbon Technology InternationalMartens JA, Verduijn JP (1995) WO95/19945, to Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.Verrelst WH (1995) Martens LRM, WO95/22516, to Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.Verrelst WH, Martens LRM (2000) US6143942, to Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.Verrelst WH, Martens LRM, Verduijn JP (2006) US6013851, to Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.Dakka JM, Mathys GMK, Puttemans MPH (2003) WO03/035583 to Exxon-Mobil Chemical LimitedMatias P, Sa CC, Graca I, Lopes JM, Carvalho AP, Ramoa RF, Guisnet M (2011) Appl Catal A 399:100–109Chal R, Gérardin C, Bulut M, van Donk S (2011) ChemCatChem 3:67–81Perez-Ramirez J, Christensen CH, Egeblad K, Groen JC (2008) Chem Soc Rev 37:2530–2542Verboekend D, Perez-Ramirez J (2011) Catal Sci Technol 1:879–890Serrano DP, Escola JM, Pizarro P (2013) Chem Soc Rev 42:4004–4035Verboekend D, Chabaneix AM, Thomas K, Gilson JP, Perez-Ramirez J (2011) Cryst Eng Comm 13:3408–3416Emeis CA (1993) J Catal 141:347–354Perego C, Peratello S (1999) Catal Today 52:133–145Abello S, Bonilla A, Perez-Ramirez J (2009) Appl Catal A Gen 364:191–198Corma A, Martinez C, Doskocil EJ, Yaluris G (2011) WO2011002631A2, to BP Oil International Limited. BP Corporation North America Inc., UKCorma A, Martinez C, Doskocil EJ, Yaluris G (2011) WO2011002630A2, to BP Oil International Limited. BP Corporation North America Inc, UKHan S, Heck RH, DiGuiseppi FT (1993) US5234875, to Mobil Oil CorporationPeratello S, Molinari M, Bellussi G, Perego C (1999) Catal Today 52:271–27

Recruiting College Student Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester ReStore

The Habitat for Humanity Worcester ReStore collects and sells donated housing materials. Proceeds are used to eliminate poverty housing. A reliable and sustainable volunteer base is vital for ReStore’s success. Potential volunteers are abundant on the college campuses in the region. This project delivered a directory of each school’s connections that expressed interest in assisting ReStore. Completion of this project required survey collections and interviews of ReStore staff and college student volunteers. Data analysis was conducted on surveys and interviews, and recommendations were made based on the findings. The recommendations consist of approaching schools differently for marketing materials, creating incentives for volunteers, and utilizing the directory for connection management

Effects of chlorogenic acid, epicatechin gallate, and quercetin on mucin expression and secretion in the Caco-2/HT29-MTX cell model

Mucins are a family of large glycoproteins that represent the major structural components of the mucus and are encoded by 20 different mucin genes. Mucin expression can be modulated by different stimuli. In this study, we analyzed four mucins (MUC2, MUC3, MUC13, and MUC17) in coculture of Caco-2/HT29-MTX cells to demonstrate the variation in gene expression in the presence of antioxidant compounds like chlorogenic acid, epicatechin gallate, and quercetin (apple, tea, and coffee polyphenols, respectively). Coculture of Caco-2/HT29-MTX cells was treated with polyphenols, and the expression of four mucins was determined by reverse-transcriptase PCR. In addition, the secretion levels of MUC2 were established by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) analysis. The results showed that each polyphenol compound induces different expression patterns of the mucin genes. Statistically significant up-regulation of MUC17 was observed following incubation with epicatechin gallate and quercetin. ELISA results did not prove any significant differences in protein levels of MUC2 after treatment by the polyphenol compounds. The polyphenols considered in this study may influence mucin secretion and act on diverse salivary substrates to change the barrier properties of mucins for mucus secretion in different way

Effects of selected dietary polyphenols on mucin expression in epithelial cells

Human epithelial tissues express more than 20 mucins. These glycoproteins serve as lubricants but may exhibit various other functions such as signalling or immune functions. They aretissue-specific and their expression in various tissues is tightly regulated. In the gut, their expression might be influenced by some nutrients and previously, this has been observed for some food bioactives such as milk peptides. In our study, we investigated how gene expression of four mucins is affected by the presence of three selected dietary plant polyphenols. These comprised of MUC 2, major secreted mucin, MUC 3 the most studied of adhering membrane mucin, and MUC 13 and MUC 17, the recently discovered mucins. For the study, epithelial Caco-2 and mucin-producing HT-29 cell culture seeded in 9:1 ratio were used. The cell lines were cultured in Dulbecco’s modified Eagles medium (DMEM) with 10% foetal bovine serum and supplements and incubated at 37°C in 5% CO2 until 80% confluence. Quercetin, epicatechin, chlorogenic acid (naturally occurring in apples, tea leaves and coffee) were added to the culture medium at concentration of 10 µM for 48 h. We analysed variation in mucin gene expression by Real-time RT PCR, related to polyphenols treatment. Our in vitro results indicate that the intake of these three polyphenols may play an important role in regulating mucin expression, which may also be related to cancer development. Several studies, in literature have demonstrated that MUC 2, MUC 13 and MUC 17 are frequently overexpressed in gastric cancer and intestinal metaplasia, instead MUC 3 is up-regulated during the same pathological condition. Level of MUC 2 expression remain more or less constant respect to control after treatments with quercetin and epicatechin, instead treatment with chlorogenic acid decrease MUC 2 expression. Concentrations were selected based on MTT assay results as nontoxic, although mild cytotoxic effect cannot be ruled out. In contrast, level of MUC 3, MUC 13 and MUC 17 expression increases significantly after epicatechin and chlorogenic acid treatments and although causal role has not been extablished, this is in line with evidence of anticancerogenic potential of polyphenols. For the first time, we have demonstrated that these polyphenols can modulate mucus expression and may contribute to the protection of intestinal cells against various stress factors. The ongoing reseach aims to investigate the effect of plant polyphenols on mucins in vivo