Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
N and P Cycling Coupled by Grazers' Activities: Food Quality and Nutrient Release by Zooplankton

In order to clarify the role of zooplankton in the cycling of elements and its subsequent effect on algal populations, food elimination and nutrient release rates by zooplankton in a small pond dominated by daphnids were estimated for nitrogen and phosphorus from April to September. Comparison of the elemental contents of food and zooplankton showed that N was the element in shortest supply in the food sources utilized by zooplankton. The net clearance rate of the zooplankton was higher for N than for P and C throughout the study period, indicating that these organisms can eliminate the scarcest element from the food pool with a higher efficiency. Soluble N and P released by the zooplankton consisted mainly of ammonium nitrogen and soluble reactive phosphorus, and on a dry mass basis N release ranged from 0.27 to 1.05 tig mg-I h-I and P release from 0.045 to 0.30 jig mg-I h-i. Statistical analysis revealed that the N release rate was most affected by food abundance, whereas the P release rate and N: P release ratio were affected by the N: P ratio of the food. The net production rate of the zooplankton, estimated from the difference between elimination and release rates, showed a quite similar N: P ratio to that of the body tissue, indicating that zooplankton can keep their elemental composition roughly constant even if the N: P ratio of their food supply varies. Thus, the N and P release rates of zooplankton are linked through processes maintaining the elemental composition of body tissues. The present results indicate that the cycling rate of an element in pelagic systems depends highly on the grazer's requirements as well as the relative abundances of other elements. Zooplankton can modify the nutritional environment for algae through accumulation and regeneration processes, as suggested by recent theoretical models.
Breakage Susceptibility of Wheat and Triticale Seeds Related to Moisture Content and Impact Energy

Abstract Mechanical damage of seeds due to harvest, handling and other process is an important factor that affects the quality and quantity of seeds. Seed damage result in lower grain value, storability problem, and reduced seed germination and seedling vigor and subsequent yield of crops. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of moisture content and impact energy on the breakage susceptibility of wheat and triticale seeds. The experiments were conducted at five moisture contents of 7.5, 12, 17, 22 and 27% w.b. and at the impact energies of 0.05 and 0.1 J. The percentage of breakage of both wheat and triticale seeds increased as impact energy increased. The analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference between breakage susceptibility of wheat and triticale seeds at the 1% probability level. Triticale seeds had more breakage than wheat seeds. For both wheat and triticale seeds as the moisture content of the seeds increased, the amount of the percentage breakage of seeds decreased as a polynomial. The average values of percentage breakage of wheat seeds decreased from 43.81 to 19.88% as the moisture content increased from 7.5 to 27%. Over this same moisture content range the percentage breakage of triticale seeds varied from 81.34 to 37.77%. Below the moisture contents of 17% for the wheat and 22% for the triticale the percentage breakage of seeds increased dramatically.
Catfish Special Edition: Thermal Inactivation of Non-O157:H7 Shiga Toxin Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) on Catfish Fillets

Non-O157:H7 shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (non-O157 STEC) strains have emerged as food borne pathogens which have been involved in numerous food borne illness outbreaks worldwide. Seafood (fish) consumption has increased in recent years: it could become more common that STEC outbreaks may be associated with the non-O157 serovars. However, there is a lack of data on thermal inactivation of non-O157 STECs in fish muscle (e.g. catfish). Catfish fillets were inoculated with a six-isolate cocktail of non-O157 STEC serovars, i.e. O26:H11, O45:H2, O103:H2, O111:NM, O121H19, and O145:RM (the Big 6), to determine the impact of thermal treatment (heat) on their survival or thermal inactivation kinetics. The inoculated catfish fillet samples (108-9 cfu/g) were subjected to isothermal heating at 55, 60, and 65°C. The D- and z- values were determined by using linear regression of the survival data. The D- values were found to be 712 sec (R2 = 0.88), 38.8 sec (R2 = 0.97) and 3.6 sec (R2 = 0.91) at 55, 60 and 65°C, respectively. The z-value was 4.4°C, consistent with reported values for STECs in other food systems. The results of this study showed that the thermal inactivation effect of non-O157 STECs is not the same as of O157 strains in catfish meat, especially at lower temperature (e.g. 55°C), but becomes similar as temperature increases. The findings will assist risk assessors in providing safer finfish products to consumers.
Effect of Zn, Mn, and Fe on Cd accumulation in phytoplankton: Implications for oceanic Cd cycling

Cd and phosphate concentrations in seawater are closely related, suggesting that Cd distributions, like those of PO4, are controlled by algal uptake and regeneration. But the factors that control Cd levels in phytoplankton and their influence on oceanic Cd versus PO4 relationships are poorly known. We examined the effect of important controlling factors (free ion concentrations of Cd, Zn, and Mn and Fe limitation of growth rate) on Cd accumulation by an oceanic diatom (Thalassiosira oceanica). More limited comparative experiments were also conducted with a coastal diatom (T. weissflogii) and an oceanic coccolithophore (Emiliania huxleyi). Cellular Cd:C ratios increased with increasing Cd ion concentrations and decreasing Zn ion concentrations in all species and with decreasing ionic Mn in the diatoms. The effects of Mn and Zn apparently are related to the uptake of Cd by the cells' Mn and Cd/Co transport systems, which are under negative feedback regulation by cellular Mn and Zn. Cd:C ratios were determined in the oceanic diatom as functions of free ion concentrations of Cd, Zn, and Mn over the oceanic range of these metal ions. The data were combined with estimates of free ion concentrations of these metals in seawater to construct models of Cd:C and Cd:P ratios in oceanic phytoplankton. The modeled Cd:P ratios showed good agreement with slopes of Cd versus P relationships in different oceanic regimes. The models suggest that the high Cd versus phosphate slopes found in iron‐depleted waters of the Southern Ocean and subarctic Pacific result from unusually high levels of zinc depletion in these waters. The resulting low zinc ion concentrations induce high levels of Cd uptake by phytoplankton, yielding high algal Cd:P ratios. The heavy depletion of zinc may be linked to elevated Zn:C and Zn:P ratios in iron‐limited diatoms, as observed in experiments we conducted with T. oceanica.
Investigating the source separation rate of municipal solid waste and economical and social determinance in Iran (2017)

Background: Municipal solid waste is a serious environmental issue in human societies. The source separation is a necessity for efficient municipal waste management (MSW). Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the source separation rate of MSW in several Iranian cities, as well as to identify the determinance of the participation level in source separation. Methods: In this study, the source separation rate of waste in 12 cities of Iran was evaluated by information from waste management organizations and the economical and social determinance were reviewed. Data were analyzed by Excel. Findings: In some cities, despite the coverage of about 90% of the training plans, the rate of source separation of MSW was less than 40%, and the average of source separation for all studied cities was 13.46%. The value of dry solid waste in all studied cities was estimated 705/000 tons per year which about 610/000 tons are collected as the mix with other wastes. Awareness and education as the cultural factors and social trust, economic issues, and the continuity of the source separation plan as the social factors have been effective in people's participation in these projects. Conclusion: Higher source separation rate in the wastes at the urban area requires consideration of all determinance in the planning and policy of WMS.
CARD4/Nod1 mediates NF‐κB and JNK activation by invasive Shigella flexneri

Epithelial cells are refractory to extracellular lipopolysaccharide (LPS), yet when presented inside the cell, it is capable of initiating an inflammatory response. Using invasive Shigella flexneri to deliver LPS into the cytosol, we examined how this factor, once intracellular, activates both NF‐κB and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK). Surprisingly, the mode of activation is distinct from that induced by toll‐like receptors (TLRs), which mediate LPS responsiveness from the outside‐in. Instead, our findings demonstrate that this response is mediated by a cytosolic, plant disease resistance‐like protein called CARD4/Nod1. Biochemical studies reveal enhanced oligomerization of CARD4 upon S. flexneri infection, an event necessary for NF‐κB induction. Dominant‐negative versions of CARD4 block activation of NF‐κB and JNK by S. flexneri as well as microinjected LPS. Finally, we showed that invasive S. flexneri triggers the formation of a transient complex involving CARD4, RICK and the IKK complex. This study demonstrates that in addition to the extracellular LPS sensing system mediated by TLRs, mammalian cells also possess a cytoplasmic means of LPS detection via a molecule that is related to plant disease‐resistance proteins.
Antioxidant Activities of Extracts Prepared from Sweet Potatoes with Different Flesh Colors

육질색에 따른 일반고구마(WF), 주황색고구마(OF), 자색고구마(PF)를 동결건조 후 에탄올 농도를 달리하여 추출물을 제조하고 분석하였다. 고구마 육질색과 에탄올 농도에 따른 추출 수율은 매우 유사하였다. 에탄올의 농도가 0%에서 70%까지 증가됨에 따라 추출 수율이 서서히 감소되었으며, 에탄올 100%에서 매우 낮은 추출 수율(2~3%)을 보였다. 총 폴리페놀 화합물 함량은 PF가 WF, OF보다 2~5배 높은 값을 보였다. 총 폴리페놀 화합물 함량이 가장 높은 70% 에탄올 추출물에서 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl 유리 radical 소거활성의 $EC_{50}$ 은 WF 2.030 mg/mL, OF 2.127 mg/mL, PF 0.179 mg/mL, 환원력의 $EC_{50}$ 은 WF 1.587 mg/mL, OF 1.524 mg/mL, PF 0.236 mg/mL이었다. 추출물의 항산화 활성은 총 폴리페놀 함량과 상관관계를 갖는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서, PF의 황산화 활성은 WF와 OF에 비하여 radical 소거활성은 10배, 환원력은 6배 이상 우수하였다. 【Antioxidant activities of ethanol extracts from three types of sweet potatoes with distinctive flesh color (white, orange, and purple) were investigated. Total phenolic content of purple-fleshed sweet potato (PF) was always 2- to 5-fold higher than those of white-fleshed (WF) and orange-fleshed sweet potato (OF). 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl free radical scavenging activity of 70% ethanol extracts was highest ( $EC_{50}$ = 0.179 m 0.179 mg/mL) for PF and lowest ( $EC_{50}$ = 2.127 m 2.127 mg/mL) for OF. And then, reducing power was also highest ( $EC_{50}$ = 0.236 m 0.236 mg/mL) for PF and lowest ( $EC_{50}$ = 1.587 m 1.587 mg/mL) for WF. Antioxidant activities of 70% ethanol extracts were closely related to the amount of total phenolics. These results imply that antioxidant activity of PF is 6.7 to 11.9 times higher than those of WF and OF. 】
Proteomic and Bioinformatic Investigations of Heat-Treated Anisakis simplex Third-Stage Larvae

Anisakis simplex third-stage larvae are the main source of hidden allergens in marine fish products. Some Anisakis allergens are thermostable and, even highly processed, could cause hypersensitivity reactions. However, Anisakis proteome has not been studied under autoclaving conditions of 121 °C for 60 min, which is an important process in the food industry. The aim of the study was the identification and characterization of allergens, potential allergens, and other proteins of heat-treated A. simplex larvae. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to identify 470 proteins, including allergens—Ani s 1, Ani s 2, Ani s 3, Ani s 4, Ani s 5—and 13 potential allergens that were mainly homologs of Anisakis spp. , Ascaris spp. , and Acari allergens. Ani s 2, Ani s 3, Ani s 5, and three possible allergens were found among the top 25 most abundant proteins. The computational analysis allowed us to detect allergen epitopes, assign protein families, and domains as well as to annotate the localization of proteins. The predicted 3D models of proteins revealed similarities between potential allergens and homologous allergens. Despite the partial degradation of heated A. simplex antigens, their immunoreactivity with anti-A. simplex IgG antibodies was confirmed using a Western blot. In conclusion, identified epitopes of allergenic peptides highlighted that the occurrence of Anisakis proteins in thermally processed fish products could be a potential allergic hazard. Further studies are necessary to confirm the IgE immunoreactivity and thermostability of identified proteins.
Peptide Profiling and Biological Activities of 12-Month Ripened Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese

Proteolysis degree, biological activities, and water-soluble peptide patterns were evaluated in 12 month-ripened Parmigiano Reggiano (PR) cheeses collected in different dairy farms and showing different salt and fat content. Samples classified in high-salt and high-fat group (HH) generally showed lower proteolysis degree than samples having low-salt and low-fat content (LL). This positive correlation between salt/fat reduction and proteolysis was also confirmed by the analysis of biological activities, as the LL group showed higher average values of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory and antioxidant activities. UHPLC/HR-MS allowed the identification of 805 unique peptides: LL and HH groups shared 59.3% of these peptides, while 20.9% and 19.9% were LL and HH specific, respectively. Frequency analysis of peptides identified a core of 183 peptides typical of 12-month ripened PR cheeses (corresponding to the 22.7% of total peptides), but no significant differences were detected in peptide patterns between LL and HH groups. Forty bioactive peptides, including 18 ACE-inhibitors and 12 anti-microbial peptides, were identified, of which 25 firstly found in PR cheese. Globally, this work contributed to unraveling the potentially healthy benefits of peptides fraction in PR cheese and provided prior evidence that PR with reduced fat/salt content showed the highest antihypertensive and antioxidant activities.
Alien and native plants show contrasting responses to climate and land use in Europe

Aim We tested whether the distribution and cover of alien plant species in Europe was related to human disturbance and microclimate. Location Surveys were conducted at 13 sites across Europe, each containing a pair of landscapes with different land-use intensities. Methods Sampling locations were chosen based on land use and microclimate at two scales: land use was characterized at the patch and landscape scale; climate was expressed as regional and local temperature. The slope of each sample location was derived from a digital elevation model. Cover of plant species was measured using point counts and analysed using mixed effect models. Species were classified as native, archaeophytes and neophytes (pre- versus post-ad 1500 immigrants). Due to the zero inflation observed in the alien groups, their cover was analysed conditional on their presence. Results Anthropogenic disturbance was a significant explanatory variable, increasing the presence and cover of alien species and decreasing the cover of native species. Alien presence was increased in sites under agricultural management, while their cover responded to land use at both local and landscape scales (and to their interaction), such that only natural habitats in semi-natural landscapes had low alien cover. Microclimate was important for neophytes, with presence concentrated around mesic conditions. Slope was relevant for archaeophytes and native species, suppressing the former group and promoting the latter one. Main conclusions We found that, at the European scale, the distribution of alien plants is related to anthropogenic disturbance more than to microclimatic differences. The presence of neophytes, however, was influenced by climate at local and regional scales, with the highest incidence under mesic conditions. The different patterns observed for the presence and cover of alien species suggest different mechanisms acting during their establishment and spread. They also suggest that to counteract the expansion of alien species natural habitats may need to be maintained at landscape scales.
Short-chain fatty acids act as antiinflammatory mediators by regulating prostaglandin E2 and cytokines.

AIM: To investigate the effect of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cytokines and chemokines in human monocytes. METHODS: Human neutrophils and monocytes were isolated from human whole blood by using 1-Step Polymorph and RosetteSep Human Monocyte Enrichment Cocktail, respectively. Human GPR41 and GPR43 mRNA expression was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The calcium flux assay was used to examine the biological activities of SCFAs in human neutrophils and monocytes. The effect of SCFAs on human monocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was studied by measuring PGE2, cytokines and chemokines in the supernatant. The effect of SCFAs in vivo was examined by intraplantar injection into rat paws. RESULTS: Human GPR43 is highly expressed in human neutrophils and monocytes. SCFAs induce robust calcium flux in human neutrophils, but not in human monocytes. In this study, we show that SCFAs can induce human monocyte release of PGE2 and that this effect can be enhanced in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, we demonstrate that PGE2 production induced by SCFA was inhibited by pertussis toxin, suggesting the involvement of a receptor-mediated mechanism. Furthermore, SCFAs can specifically inhibit constitutive monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) production and LPS-induced interleukin-10 (IL-10) production in human monocytes without affecting the secretion of other cytokines and chemokines examined. Similar activities were observed in human PBMC for the release of PGE2, MCP-1 and IL-10 after SCFA treatment. In addition, SCFAs inhibit LPS-induced production of tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ in human PBMC. Finally, we show that SCFAs and LPS can induce PGE2 production in vivo by intraplantar injection into rat paws (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: SCFAs can have distinct antiinflammatory activities due to their regulation of PGE2, cytokine and chemokine release from human immune cells.
Phthalates Implications in the Cardiovascular System

Today’s sedentary lifestyle and eating habits have been implicated as some of the causes of the increased incidence of several diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. However, environmental pollutants have also been identified as another possible cause for this increase in recent decades. The constant human exposure to plastics has been raising attention regarding human health, particularly when it comes to phthalates. These are plasticizers used in the manufacture of industrial and consumer products, such as PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) plastics and personal care products, with endocrine-disrupting properties, as they can bind molecular targets in the body and interfere with hormonal function. Since these compounds are not covalently bound to the plastic, they are easily released into the environment during their manufacture, use, or disposal, leading to increased human exposure and enhancing health risks. In fact, some studies have related phthalate exposure with cardiovascular health, having already shown a positive association with the development of hypertension and atherosclerosis in adults and some cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents. Therefore, the main purpose of this review is to present and relate the most recent studies concerning the implications of phthalates effects on the cardiovascular system.
Collaborative Solutions for Interference Management in GNSS-Based Aircraft Navigation

Nowadays, the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) technology is not the primary means of navigation for civil aviation and Air Traffic Control, but its role is increasing. Consequently, the vulnerabilities of GNSSs to Radio Frequency Interference, including the dangerous intentional sources of interference (i.e., jamming and spoofing), raise concerns and special attention also in the aviation field. This panorama urges for figuring out effective solutions able to cope with GNSS interference and preserve safety of operations. In the frame of a Single European Sky Air traffic management Research (SESAR) Exploratory Research initiative, a novel, effective, and affordable concept of GNSS interference management for civil aviation has been developed. This new interference management concept is able to raise early warnings to the on-board navigation system about the detection of interfering signals and their classification, and then to estimate the Direction of Arrival (DoA) of the source of interference allowing the adoption of appropriate countermeasures against the individuated source. This paper describes the interference management concept and presents the on-field tests which allowed for assessing the reached level of performance and confirmed the applicability of this approach to the aviation applications.
Genomic Alterations and Their Implications on Survival in Nonmetastatic Colorectal Cancer: Status Quo and Future Perspectives

The selection of treatment according to genomic alterations is a standard approach in metastatic colorectal cancer but is only starting to have an impact in the earlier stages of the disease. The status if genes like KRAS, BRAF, and MMR has substantial survival implications, and concerted research efforts have revolutionized treatment towards precision oncology. In contrast, a genomic-based approach has not changed the adjuvant setting after curative tumor-resection in the daily routine so far. This review focuses on the current knowledge regarding prognostic and predictive genomic biomarkers in patients with locally advanced nonmetastasized colorectal cancer. Furthermore, we provide an outlook on future challenges for a personalized adjuvant treatment approach in patients with colorectal cancer.
PVR and ICAM-1 on Blast Crisis CML Stem and Progenitor Cells with TKI Resistance Confer Susceptibility to NK Cells

The BCR-ABL1 fusion gene generating an oncogenic tyrosine kinase is a hallmark of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), which can be successfully targeted by BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, treatment-free remission has been achieved in a minority of patients due to evolving TKI resistance and intolerance. Primary or acquired resistance to the approved TKIs and progression to blast crisis (BC), thus, remain a major clinical challenge that requires alternative therapeutic strategies. Here, we first demonstrate that donor natural killer (NK) cells prepared using a protocol adopted in clinical trials can efficiently eliminate CML-BC blasts, with TKI resistance regardless of BCR-ABL1 mutations, and preferentially target CD34+CD38− leukemic stem cells (LSC), a potential source of disease relapse. Mechanistically, the predominant expression of PVR, a ligand for the NK cell-activating DNAM-1 receptor, in concert with ICAM-1, a ligand for NK cell adhesion, confer this susceptibility to NK cells, despite the lack of ligands for NKG2D, a principal NK cell activating receptor, as an immune evasion mechanism. With these mechanistic insights, our findings provide a proof-of-concept that donor NK cell-based therapy is a viable strategy for overcoming TKI resistance in CML, particularly the advanced, multi-TKI-resistant CML with dismal outcome.