bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relating cellular signaling timescales to single-molecule kinetics: A first-passage time analysis of Ras activation by SOS
Authors: Huang William Y. C. , Alvarez Steven , Kondo Yasushi , Kuriyan John , Groves Jay T.
Published: November 2021

Son of Sevenless (SOS) is a Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that plays a central role in numerous cellular signaling pathways. Like many other signaling molecules, SOS is autoinhibited in the cytosol and activates only after recruitment to the membrane. The mean activation time of individual SOS molecules has recently been measured to be ∼60 s, which is unexpectedly long and seemingly contradictory with cellular signaling timescales, which have been measured to be as fast as several seconds. Here, we rectify this discrepancy using a first-passage time analysis to reconstruct the effective signaling timescale of multiple SOS molecules from their single-molecule activation kinetics. Along with corresponding experimental measurements, this analysis reveals how the functional response time, comprised of many slowly activating molecules, can become substantially faster than the average molecular kinetics. This consequence stems from the enzymatic processivity of SOS in a highly out-of-equilibrium reaction cycle during receptor triggering. Ultimately, rare, early activation events dominate the macroscopic reaction dynamics.
Multispecific targeting of glioblastoma with tumor microenvironment-responsive multifunctional engineered NK cells
Authors: Wang Jiao , Toregrosa-Allen Sandra , Elzey Bennett D. , Utturkar Sagar , Lanman Nadia Atallah , Bernal-Crespo Victor , Behymer Matthew M. , Knipp Gregory T. , Yun Yeonhee , Veronesi Michael C. , Sinn Anthony L. , Pollok Karen E. , Brutkiewicz Randy R. , Nevel Kathryn S. , Matosevic Sandro
Published: November 2021

Significance

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive brain cancer and highly resistant to therapy, including immunotherapies. It is able to escape immune recognition due to its high heterogeneity, active immunometabolic suppression, and antigen escape mechanisms. Here, we describe an immunotherapy centered around human natural killer (NK) cells engineered to simultaneously target these pathways of immune resistance. These engineered NK cells are able to block adenosine signaling in GBM via CD73 while avoiding antigen escape. We also uncover the functional cooperation between these cells’ intratumoral infiltration and impaired autophagy in GBM as a powerful approach to traffick NK cells into the GBM niche. This NK cell–based immunotherapy provides opportunities to broaden the breadth and versatility of current therapeutic regimens for GBM.
Steady agronomic and genetic interventions are essential for sustaining productivity in intensive rice cropping
Authors: Ladha Jagdish K. , Radanielson Ando M. , Rutkoski Jessica Elaine , Buresh Roland J. , Dobermann Achim , Angeles Olivyn , Pabuayon Irish Lorraine B. , Santos-Medellín Christian , Fritsche-Neto Roberto , Chivenge Pauline , Kohli Ajay
Published: November 2021

Significance

Steady agronomic and genetic interventions helped sustain high annual rice production in an intensive irrigated monoculture system under a changing climate. However, the system did not achieve the increases in yield required to keep pace with the growing global demand for rice because annual yield potential was stagnant, and apparent biotic constraints limited yield in the wet season.
Mixed computation
Authors: Krivochen Diego Gabriel
Published: November 2021

Proof-theoretic models of grammar are based on the view that an explicit characterization of a language comes in the form of the recursive enumeration of strings in that language. That recursive enumeration is carried out by a procedure which strongly generates a set of structural descriptions Σ and weakly generates a set of strings S; a grammar is thus a function that pairs an element of Σ with elements of S. Structural descriptions are obtained by means of Context-Free phrase structure rules or via recursive combinatorics and structure is assumed to beuniform: binary branching trees all the way down. In this work we will analyse natural language constructions for which such a rigid conception of phrase structure is descriptively inadequate and propose a solution for the problem of phrase structure grammars assigning too much or too little structure to natural language strings: we propose that the grammar can oscillate between levels of computational complexity in local domains, which correspond to elementary trees in a lexicalised Tree Adjoining Grammar.
Evaluating selection criteria for optimized excitation coils in magnetorelaxometry imaging
Authors: Schier P , Coene A , Jaufenthaler A , Baumgarten D
Published: November 2021

Objective. Magnetorelaxometry imaging (MRXI) is an experimental imaging technique applicable for noninvasive, qualitative and quantitative imaging of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Accurate reconstructions of nanoparticle distributions are crucial for several novel treatment methods employing MNPs such as magnetic drug targeting or magnetic hyperthermia therapy. Hence, it is desirable to design MRXI setups such that the reconstruction accuracy is maximized for a given set of design parameters. Several attempts exist in literature that focus on the improvement of MRXI and other related linear inverse problems with respect to various figures of merit. However, to date it remains unclear, which approach leads to the largest benefit for the reconstruction accuracy. Thus, the aim of this study is to compare the different figures of merit, thereby determining the most reliable and effective optimization approach for magnetorelaxometry setups. Approach. In the present simulation study, we translate these figures of merit to various cost functions, allowing us to optimize the electromagnetic coil positions and radii of two distinct MRXI setups with an adapted tabu search algorithm. Multiple artificial MNP phantoms are reconstructed employing the optimized setups and the resulting imaging qualities are subsequently compared. Main results. The extensive amount of generated synthetic data unprecedented in previous MRXI studies identifies the condition number as the most reliable indicator for good imaging results. This is the case for both the qualitative as well as the quantitative reconstruction accuracies. Significance. The results of this study show that optimized coil configurations increase the reconstruction quality compared to the state-of-the-art. The insights obtained here can also be extended to other design parameters of MRXI setups, thus enabling more reliable reconstructions of MNP ensembles which will ultimately render the aforementioned treatment methods safer and more efficient.
Monitoring of stress variation of strands in prestressed concrete by second harmonic generation measurements based on piezoelectric sensors
Authors: Chen Jun , Wan Xiaohan , Guo Quanquan
Published: November 2021

The stress loss of prestressed concrete may cause the ultimate failure of structures and the monitoring of stress variation of prestressed structures is therefore important to ensure the service safety. This paper developed a nondestructive evaluation method of nonlinear ultrasonic second harmonic generation (SHG) based on piezoelectric (PZT) sensors and applied for the distinction of different stress level of post-tensioned steel strands in concrete. The nonlinear ultrasonic behavior of both free strand and embedded strand having different length is studied with the developed SHG technique and a defined nonlinear parameter is introduced in SHG experiments to correlate with the tension stress in the strand. It is found that the nonlinear parameter has a negative correlation with the increasing stress of strand in both free and embedded case, indicating the nonlinear ultrasonic behavior is getting weak corresponding to the increasing contact force among strand wires. In addition, the decreasing ratio of nonlinear parameter is very close to each other regardless of the length of steel strand, indicating the possibility of replacing the large-scale on-site testing with scaled down samples in laboratory. The experimental results of this research demonstrate that the SHG technique based on PZT sensors could be useful for the stress monitoring of prestressed reinforced concrete with consideration of the relatively high sensitivity of nonlinear parameter to the variation of contact force of strand wires.
Investigation of vortex arms in electron vortices by counter-rotating elliptically polarized attosecond laser pulses
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Zhen Qi , Sun Yue , Chen Jia-He , Liu Xue-Shen
Published: November 2021

We theoretically investigate the vortex patterns in photoelectron momentum distributions of He+ driven by counter-rotating elliptically polarized, time delayed attosecond laser pulses by numerically solving the two-dimensional time-dependent Schrödinger equation. It is found that the number of vortex arms is extremely sensitive to the ellipticity and wavelength of counter-rotating elliptically polarized laser pulses, which is illustrated by the attosecond perturbation ionization models. In addition, the effect of different time delays between two pulses on the interference patterns is also investigated and the corresponding physical mechanism is demonstrated. Since the wavelength, ellipticity and time delay have a significant effect on the vortex interference patterns, this may be a new method for laser field detection.
Tungsten–carbon surface evolution and erosion modeling for a small angle slot divertor in DIII-D
Authors: Brooks J.N. , Sizyuk T. , Sinclair G. , Hassanein A.
Published: November 2021

We modeled tungsten–carbon mixed surface evolution, sputtering erosion, and transport for the tungsten coated region of a small angle slot (SAS) divertor design for the DIII-D tokamak. This divertor concept aims to achieve a closed slot dissipative plasma to minimize heat load and surface erosion, and to study high-Z material performance. Our advanced simulations use coupled ITMC-DYN material mixing/response and 3D full kinetic REDEP/WBC erosion/redeposition code packages, with divertor plasma solution from the SOLPS-ITER package with 4 MW power input. The SAS design geometry and resulting in-slot plasma parameters cause significant differences in predicted sputter/transport from a conventional divertor. For 2% C/D incident plasma ratio, an equilibrium mixed C/W surface is attained at ∼30 s of discharge, from wall sputtered carbon transported to the 10 cm long tungsten divertor region. Tungsten remains exposed to the plasma, but the evolved surface composition varies with different C/D ratios. Tungsten is primarily sputtered from the mixed surface by impinging carbon ions in the +1 to +4 charge states, with some self-sputtering. Redeposition of sputtered tungsten to the divertor is significant, ∼80% along the higher plasma temperature attached plasma SAS entrance region, but this is less than the typically near-unity values for a conventional divertor. Plasma-incident carbon is highly backscattered (∼50%) from the mixed surface, with little redeposition (<10%); this helps maintain tungsten in the surface sputter zone. Carbon is mainly sputtered from the mixed surface by D+ ions, also with low redeposition (∼10%–30%). Finally, the modeling shows non-zero but low sputtered tungsten current from the divertor to the core plasma direction. These results appear favorable for effective testing of a tungsten-containing SAS divertor in DIII-D, and extrapolation of mixed-material evolution/response findings to the analogous low-Z/high-Z, Be/W, ITER plasma facing system.
A Novel coarse-to-fine Localization Algorithm for Automated Vickers Hardness Measurement
Authors: Zexian Li , Feng Yin
Published: November 2021

Vickers hardness testing is one of the most useful methods to determine the hardness of materials. To calculate the hardness of materials, the key is to measure the diagonal length of the Vickers indentation on the surface accurately. However, since this length is extremely minuscule, there are many challenges to achieve accurate measurement. Especially, when the indentation corner is cracked, the precise position of the corner cannot be obtained by conventional methods. In this paper, we proposed a method of coarse-to-fine localization to accurately locate the indentation corner. The coarse localization process can be used to determine the position and size of the indentation. During fine localization, the linear equations of the indentation edges are calculated by the line fitting method. The capabilities of the proposed method are compared to manual measurement and results are presented.
Liquid argon characterization of the X-ARAPUCA with alpha particles, gamma rays and cosmic muons
Authors: Souza H.V. , Segreto E. , Machado A.A. , Sarmento R.R. , Bazetto M.C.Q. , Paulucci L. , Marinho F. , Pimentel V.L. , Demolin F.L. , de Souza G. , Fauth A.C. , Ayala-Torres M.A.
Published: November 2021

The X-ARAPUCA device is the baseline choice for the photon
detection system of the first far detector module of the DUNE
experiment. We present the results of the first complete
characterization of a small scale X-ARAPUCA prototype, which is a
slice of a full DUNE module. Its total detection efficiency in
liquid argon was measured with three different ionizing radiations:
α particles, γ's and muons and resulted to be
∼2.2% when the active silicon photomultipliers were biased at
+5.0 V
of over voltage, corresponding to a Photon Detection
Efficiency around 50% at room temperature. This value comfortably
satisfies the requirements of the first DUNE far detector module
(detection efficiency >2.0%) and allows to achieve an energy
resolution comparable to the one achievable with the Time Projection
Chambers for energies below 10 MeV, which is the region relevant
for Supernova neutrino detection.
Multipacting suppression of the HOM-damped 166.6-MHz β=1 quarter-wave superconducting cavities at HEPS
Authors: Guo L. , Zhang P. , Zhang X. , Zheng H. , Meng F. , Li Z.
Published: November 2021

A higher-order-mode (HOM) damped 166.6-MHz β=1
quarter-wave superconducting cavity has been designed for the High
Energy Photon Source project. Dangerous multipacting barriers have
to be removed by geometry optimizations in superconducting cavity
design while retaining favorable radiofrequency and mechanical
properties as well as sufficient HOM damping. Multipacting analysis
has been conducted on the cavity by using coupled simulation codes
comprising electromagnetic calculations and particle tracking. A
circular transition structure between the cavity and the beam pipe
was proposed to remove the high-field multipacting band by
eliminating the local minimum of the electric field thus preventing
the field-induced electrons from being trapped into the potential
well. The impacts of the geometric change on the cavities'
electromagnetic and mechanical properties as well as HOM damping
were examined. The deteriorated impedance of the first monopole HOM
can be recovered by a slightly enlarged beam pipe, while the total
loss factor has little change. The compact footprint of the cavity
module was maintained as required for a limited straight section
with a fixed length. Mechanical properties of the cavity were also
retained with an improved tuning sensitivity and frequency
stability. These constitute a first HOM-damped 166.6 MHz β=1
quarter-wave superconducting cavity with multipacting suppressed.
Development of a High Throughput PCIe Card for DAQ System in the ATLAS and DUNE Experiments
Authors: Chen K. , Tang S. , Chen H. , Schreuder F.
Published: November 2021

In the Run 3 upgrade of ATLAS experiment, the FELIX
(Front-End LInk eXchange) system has been prepared as the interface
between front-end electronics and common Data Acquisition (DAQ)
systems. Based on a PCIe card hosted in commodity server, FELIX's
flexibilty makes it has also been adopted by other experiments, such
as the Single-Phase ProtoDUNE (Prototype for the Deep Underground
Neutrino Experiment), sPHENIX and CBM experiments. The same PCIe
based architecture is proposed for use in the ATLAS HL-LHC (High
Luminosity Large Hadron Collider) upgrade and the DUNE
experiment. To this end, the next generation of FELIX I/O card
FLX-801 has been developed. It supports 25+ Gbps high speed fiber
optical links and 16-lane Gen4 PCIe interface. There is an on-card
DDR4 module to buffer event data for DUNE experiment. This paper
reports on the test results for the demonstrator of this next
generation card, with which main functions have been successfully
evaluated.
Zonal shift in the cold airmass stream of the East Asian winter monsoon
Authors: Liu Qian , Chen Guixing
Published: November 2021

The East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) exhibits long-term variations in intensity and spatial pattern, though the latter one is less understood. To investigate the long-term spatial variations of the EAWM and their possible causes, we propose a new position index of the EAWM by quantifying the low-level East Asian stream (EAS) of cold airmass in the Lagrangian sense. Based on the new-defined index, we find that the EAS undergoes an evident zonal shift between two channels over the land and coast. At interdecadal timescale, the peak location of the EAS is displaced eastward, with an increasing southward cold airmass flux at the coast since the mid-1960s. The interannual shift of the EAS presents not only the zonal oscillation of peak location between two channels but also the width changes of coastal channel over the northwestern Pacific. These shifts in the EAS are related to the strength changes of two source cold airmass streams from Siberia or Bering Sea, which are associated with the phase changes in the upper-tropospheric atmospheric teleconnections. At interdecadal timescale, the phase change in the North Atlantic Oscillation modulates the zonal shift in the EAS via the East Atlantic-West Russia teleconnection. At interannual timescale, the Pacific/North American teleconnection becomes the dominant factor altering the zonal shift and width change of the EAS.
Reservoir regulation affects droughts and floods at local and regional scales
Authors: Brunner Manuela I
Published: November 2021

Hydrological extremes can be particularly impactful in catchments with high human presence where they are modulated by human intervention such as reservoir regulation. Still, we know little about how reservoir operation affects droughts and floods, particularly at a regional scale. Here, I present a large data set of natural and regulated catchment pairs in the United States and assess how reservoir regulation affects local and regional drought and flood characteristics. My results show that (1) reservoir regulation affects drought and flood hazard at a local scale by reducing severity (i.e. intensity/magnitude and deficit/volume) but increasing duration; (2) regulation affects regional hazard by reducing spatial flood connectedness (i.e. number of catchments a catchment co-experiences flood events with) in winter and by increasing spatial drought connectedness in summer; (3) the local alleviation effect is only weakly affected by reservoir purpose for both droughts and floods. I conclude that both local and regional flood and drought characteristics are substantially modulated by reservoir regulation, an aspect that should neither be neglected in hazard nor climate impact assessments.
Tetrahedron maps, Yang–Baxter maps, and partial linearisations
Authors: Igonin S , Kolesov V , Konstantinou-Rizos S , Preobrazhenskaia M M
Published: November 2021

We study tetrahedron maps, which are set-theoretical solutions to the Zamolodchikov tetrahedron equation, and Yang–Baxter maps, which are set-theoretical solutions to the quantum Yang–Baxter equation. In particular, we clarify the structure of the nonlinear algebraic relations which define linear (parametric) tetrahedron maps (with nonlinear dependence on parameters), and we present several transformations which allow one to obtain new such maps from known ones. Furthermore, we prove that the differential of a (nonlinear) tetrahedron map on a manifold is a tetrahedron map as well. Similar results on the differentials of Yang–Baxter and entwining Yang–Baxter maps are also presented. Using the obtained general results, we construct new examples of (parametric) Yang–Baxter and tetrahedron maps. The considered examples include maps associated with integrable systems and matrix groups. In particular, we obtain a parametric family of new linear tetrahedron maps, which are linear approximations for the nonlinear tetrahedron map constructed by Dimakis and Müller-Hoissen (2019 Lett. Math. Phys.
109 799–827) in a study of soliton solutions of vector Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equations. Also, we present invariants for this nonlinear tetrahedron map.
Adaptation of the two-dimensional electrophoresis method for canned meat
Authors: Krylova V B , Gustova V T , Akhremko A G
Published: November 2021

Studies of the qualitative indicators of canned meat in accordance with regulatory documents are carried out on average samples of specimens, but when studying by proteomic methods, such sampling does not allow high-quality separation of protein components due to the high fat content in the product. When two-dimensional electrophoresis was carried out on an average sample, fragments of the main muscle and connective tissue proteins of beef were found in small quantities, but the electrophoretogram was not very informative. A significantly better separation was achieved after removing the fat fraction from the product. When studying broth from canned meat, the largest amount of intensely coloured high-molecular-weight protein fractions with a mass of more than 50 kDa was revealed. The electrophoretogram of the meat pieces showed a wide range of proteins across the entire molecular weight range of the polyacrylamide gel, including major muscle proteins. The study of broth together with meat pieces but after fat removal is optimal for the primary screening of the protein component of canned meat.
Obtaining plant growth biostimulants by hydrolysis of animal raw materials
Authors: Baburina M , Nasonova V , Gorbunova N , Kurzova A , Ivankin A
Published: November 2021

This paper describes the process of obtaining and using complex biostimulants for plant growth, based on enzyme-mediated and acid-mediated hydrolysates of animal raw materials. Animal blood at slaughter was enzymatically hydrolyzed with a substance that contains up to 35% of free amino acids. The effect of biostimulants on development of agricultural crops and forest plants grown from seed after long dormancy was studied. The changes in enzymatic activity of the system were assessed. The prominent positive effect of the biostimulants on the rate of seed germination and formation of green biomass was established.
Toxoplasma gondii in pork and pigs in Serbia – a real food safety hazard
Authors: Betic N , Klun I , Djordjevic V , Brankovic Lazic I , Baltic T , Vasilev D , Karabasil N
Published: November 2021

Infection with the apicomplexan protozoon Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most prevalent parasitic zoonotic infections globally, with existing seroprevalences varying between continents, countries, and even within countries and between individual communities. It is estimated that one third of the world’s human population is infected with T. gondii, with many studies showing that the dominant mode of infection is consumption of undercooked meat harbouring T. gondii tissue cysts. Prevalences of infection in food animals in different countries range from 0 to 93%. Because of the absence of clinical symptoms in infected animals, and the unfeasibility of rapid and unequivocal detection of microscopic tissue cysts in pork, infected pigs remain unrecognized, and their meat becomes an essential source of infection for humans. The data on T. gondii infection in pigs in Serbia from several studies, as well as on the detection of the parasite in different food categories, from fresh pork to heat-treated products, are discussed.
Protective effects of honeybee products against COVID-19: a review
Authors: Ciric J , Djordjevic V , Baltic T , Brankovic Lazic I , Petronijevic R , Spiric D , Trbovic D
Published: November 2021

According to the World Health Organization, coronavirus disease (COVID-19-global pandemic) is defined as highly contagious viral infection that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2). This disease is very rapidly transmitted among humans. To date, 30 May 2021, at least 170,689,920 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported while global deaths reached 3,550,093 (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/). In Serbia (to date 30 May 2021) at least 712,046 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported, while deaths reached 6,844 and recovered 694,492. Also, Serbia is at the top of the list of country vaccination rates against COVID-19. New concerns regarding vaccine safety and efficacy are coming with the mutated strains of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Natural products of known antiviral activity can be used for various therapeutic purposes. Honey, propolis, pollen, bee bread, bee venom and royal jelly might potentiate the immune system of patients and reduce their susceptibility to COVID-19 infection.
Effects of handling procedure during unloading on welfare and meat quality of market-weight pigs
Authors: Cobanovic N , Radojicic M , Suvajdzic B , Vasilev D , Karabasil N
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to examine the effects of handling procedure during unloading on blood glucose level, carcass lesions and meat quality of market-weight pigs. Rough handling during unloading was related to higher blood glucose level and frequency of slipping and falling. In contrast, gentle handling during unloading was related to the lower blood glucose level and frequency of slipping and falling, but the higher frequency of reluctance to move and turning back. Rough handling during unloading resulted in a higher carcass lesion score, and the higher tendency towards lesions on the middle part of the carcass and handling-type carcass lesions. Pigs subjected to rough handling during unloading had a higher meat temperature 45 minutes after slaughter, lower meat pH value 45 minutes and 24 hours postmortem, higher drip and cooking loss, higher L* and b* values and lower sensory colour score, and consequently, produced a higher prevalence of pale, soft and exudative meat. In contrast, pigs exposed to gentle handling during unloading produced a lower percentage of pale, soft and exudative meat, but a higher percentage of pale, firm, and nonexudative. In conclusion, gentle handling during unloading resulted in improved animal welfare, decreased stress intensity, and increased pork quality.
Antioxidative properties and antigenotoxic potential of Gentiana lutea extracts against the heterocyclic aromatic amine 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine, PhIP
Authors: Cvetkovic S , Nastasijevic B , Mitic-Culafic D , Djukanovic S , Nikolic B
Published: November 2021

Lipid oxidation that occurs in different types of food can cause alterations in nutritional qualities, flavour, texture and shelf life of foods. Furthermore, high temperature cooking of protein-rich food can lead to formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines capable of compromising the integrity of DNA molecules. To reduce these harmful effects, research has been focused on investigating plants as a source of potential natural food additives and preservatives. Thus, the aim of this study was to estimate antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities of 50% ethanolic-aqueous root and leaf extracts of the medicinal plant, Gentiana lutea. Antioxidative effect was investigated using the DPPH assay, while antigenotoxicity against the mutagen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) was determined using Salmonella Typhimurium TA 1535 in the SOS/umuC assay. Leaf extract showed high antioxidative effect with the ability to neutralize up to 87% of free radicals at 400 µg mL-1. Antigenotoxicity testing revealed that both extracts exhibited remarkable genoprotective activity against PhIP-induced DNA damage, with the highest inhibition levels being 70% and 85% for root and leaf extracts, respectively. Results obtained are encouraging and suggest further research of G. lutea extracts as potential food preservatives and additives in improving food quality and human health.
How do food safety tools support the animal origin food supply chain?
Authors: Djekic Ilija , Tomasevic Igor
Published: November 2021

This study gives on overview of food safety tools that have been developed recently through the perspective of the animal origin food supply chain. It introduced some expected food safety legal issues, new technological outbreaks, food safety culture outlined in latest versions of food safety management system standards and tools applicable for the entire supply chains. Finally, the paper briefly shows some incentives associated with food safety and Covid-19 as well as the role of UN Sustainable Development Goals in animal origin food.
Potential of Frangula alnus to contribute to food safety: antibiofilm effect against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Djukanovic S , Cvetkovic S , Ganic T , Nikolic B , Mitic-Culafic D
Published: November 2021

Contamination by numerous food-borne pathogens is a major challenge facing the food industry daily. Even though there are many strategies in the fight against contamination, pathogens able to attach to different surfaces and form biofilms are the biggest concern. Staphylococcus aureus is a common food-borne pathogen capable of forming biofilms on foods and food contact surfaces. The prevalence of multidrug resistant S. aureus is high in raw products, high-protein foods and processed products. Bearing in mind S. aureus resistance to numerous antibacterial agents, the aim of this study was to investigate antibiofilm activity of an ethyl-acetate extract of the medicinal plant, Frangula alnus, against S. aureus ATCC 25923 and S. aureus ATCC 43300. It was demonstrated that extract reduced survival of both tested strains by up to 67%. Furthermore, quantification of biofilm biomass showed that extract possesses the extraordinary ability to inhibit biofilm formation of both tested strains (up to 91%). On the other hand, the effect on preformed biofilm was less pronounced and measured only for S. aureus ATCC 43300, wherein about 28% of preformed biofilm was eradicated. The results obtained in this study encourage further investigation of F. alnus as a novel antibiofilm agent or preservative in the food industry.
Lactic acid bacteria: from food preservation to active packaging
Authors: Djukic-Vuković A , Mladenovic D , Lakicevic B , Mojovic L
Published: November 2021

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have acted in food fermentations through the ages due to their safety and resilience to specific harsh conditions of high salinity or low pH present in food and gut where they live. Their interaction with human technological development started in food but goes beyond, as some LAB contribute to the health of humans and animals as probiotics. The stress tolerance of LAB also makes them excellent, robust industrial microorganisms for production of lactic acid and other chemicals. The lactic acid market has had a high growth rate in the last decade mainly due to expansion of poly-lactide production. Poly-lactides are biocompatible, thermostable and biodegradable polymers of lactic acid, suitable for use in food packaging or in medicine, as scaffolds, implants or delivery systems. The ability of LAB to grow on complex waste substrates but efficiently produce selected isomers of lactic acid has positioned them at the core of bio-based packaging production, and this field is expected to grow in the future. Therefore, LAB are important for food - for preservation, flavour and packaging, but also beyond food – as probiotics, paraprobiotics and postbiotics. Recent trends in these fields of LAB application are analysed in this work.
Selected physicochemical, technological, and hygienic characteristics of artisanal and sausages produced with functional starter culture
Authors: Dučić M , Barcenilla C , Alvarez-Ordoñez A , Prieto M
Published: November 2021

Fast acidification is one of the main factors of microbial stability of dry fermented sausages. Development of functional starter cultures for improving safety of sausages without altering their quality is under way. This study compared aspects of physicochemical, technological, hygienic and instrumental quality of sausages produced with or without functional starter culture. Finished sausages with starter had lower water activity and lower levels of enterobacteria and lactic acid bacteria, compared to artisanal ones. During most of the ripening, pH was lower in sausages with starter, but in the final products, the same pH was observed in both groups of sausages. In sausages with starter lower redness was determined than in artisanal sausages, while other parameters, colour and chewiness, did not differ significantly. Use of starter culture improved physicochemical, technological and hygienic characteristics of the final products.
Establishing enhanced Listeria control: Coupling environmental monitoring with risk-based product testing
Authors: Gummalla S
Published: November 2021

Prevention and control of Listeria monocytogenes remains a challenge in food manufacturing facilities and methods adopted vary across different production systems and food categories. Regulatory policies also vary from region to region, although there is a convergence across the world towards risk-based approaches. Given these inconsistencies, the objective of this commentary is to reiterate two fundamentally critical components of Listeria control and prevention, and the potential benefits of actively coupling food contact surface testing and risk-based product testing programs.
Resistance of Salmonella spp. isolated from poultry meat to antimicrobial drugs
Authors: Kalaba V , Ilic T , Golic B , Kalaba D , Sladojevic Z
Published: November 2021

Uncontrolled use of antimicrobials in the prophylaxis and treatment of human and animal diseases leads to the appearance of residues in the environment and food. The use of antimicrobials as growth promoters in breeding affirms the importance of their residual finding in foods of animal origin. Bacteria of the genus Salmonella are one of the most common causes of food poisoning. All species of this genus are pathogenic to humans and cause various diseases known as salmonellosis. Humans can become infected through the faecal-oral route by consuming contaminated food and water or by direct contact with an animal. Salmonella that are resistant to antimicrobial drugs can transfer resistance genes to other microorganisms. In this work, the resistance of 10 Salmonella isolates from poultry meat to 8 different antimicrobial substances was examined by the disk diffusion method. All Salmonella isolates were sensitive to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol. All isolates were resistant to amoxicillin and significant percentages were resistant to other antimicrobial drugs. Also, multi-drug resistance of Salmonella isolates was found. The best prevention of salmonellosis in humans is constant and comprehensive control of this hazard in food products during production, processing, storage, and sale.
The influence of savory on colour, odour and taste of frankfurters
Authors: Karan D , Lukic M , Djordjevic V , Parunovic N , Babic Milijasevic J , Jovanovic J , Nikolic A
Published: November 2021

The aim of this paper was to assess the influence of savory on colour, odour and taste of vacuum-packed frankfurters during 28 days of storage. Powdered, dried savory (0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5%) was added to frankfurters, while control frankfurters were produced without herbs or spices. Assessment of colour, odour and taste acceptability of the frankfurters was performed by a panel of five assessors using a quantitative descriptive test, and the results of the ranking test were analysed statistically. When used at the levels of 0.1% and 0.3% in the sausages, savory did not have a negative influence on frankfurter colour, while quantities of 0.5% adversely affected frankfurter colour. Savory in the smaller amounts of 0.1% and 0.3% stimulated development of a pleasant odour and taste in the frankfurters, while 0.5% savory had an undesirable effect on these sensory attributes.
Detection of unlabelled gluten in meat products and gluten-free flour by PCR and ELISA methods
Authors: Kryuchenko E V , Chernukha I M , Kuzlyakina Yu A , Zamula V S
Published: November 2021

Over the past decade, there has been an increase in the prevalence of gluten intolerance. Since wheat protein is widely used in the food industry, in particular in the meat industry, consumers prone to gluten intolerance should be aware of its presence in food products through the information on the label. Often, however, unintentional contamination of gluten-free products occurs. The aim of this study was to study the prevalence and level of gluten contamination of meat products and gluten-free flour used for the production of Russian-made meat products, which do not contain ingredients containing gluten. To determine gluten, PCR and ELISA methods were used. In four of the nine tested samples, gluten was found at a level exceeding 20 mg/kg.
Spore-forming bacteria in the dairy chain
Authors: Ledina T , Djordjevic J , Bulajic S
Published: November 2021

Spore-forming bacteria form the most diverse and most complex group of bacteria in terms of their elimination from the dairy chain, due to their ability to form highly resistant spores. As ubiquitous microorganisms, spore-formers can enter the product along the milk-processing continuum from different sources, and subsequently cause spoilage in various types of dairy products. The most important classes of spore-forming bacteria relevant to the dairy industry are Bacilli and Clostridia. Bacilli are responsible mainly for the spoilage and decreased shelf-life of fluid milk, while Clostridia cause late gas blowing in cheese. Spore-forming microorganisms contaminate raw milk primarily at the farm level, with potential for recontamination to occur at various points along the dairy production continuum. The most effective measure in reducing spore load at the farm level is adequate pre-milking teat preparation, while at the dairy plant level, bactofugation and microfiltration are applied. Understanding the ecology of spore-formers can improve application of systematic approaches for controlling the spoilage bacteria in dairy processing systems. Also, novel technologies, such as high-pressure processing, ultrasound treatment, irradiation etc., could provide the dairy industry with the powerful tools to eliminate these bacteria from the dairy chain.
Preservation of meat products with natural antioxidants from rosemary
Authors: Lorenzo J M , Munekata P E S , Pateiro M , Domínguez R , Abdulrazzaq Alaghbari Mohammed , Tomasevic Igor
Published: November 2021

Oxidative reactions can reduce the quality of meat products. Synthetic antioxidants can delay the formation of oxidation products but their use in muscle foods has been reconsidered among modern consumers willing to purchase clean label products. Rosemary is a relevant source of antioxidants that can be explored as natural additive in muscle foods. This review aims to provide an overview of the protective effect of rosemary active against the oxidative decay in meat products. The use of rosemary essential oil or extract can slow the progression of oxidative reactions and preserve redness, reduce the accumulation of primary and secondary lipid oxidation and protein oxidation products, and slow the increase of perceived rancidity in sensory analysis. These effects were reported during the storage of patties, burgers, meatballs, sausages, and nuggets. In this sense, rosemary extracts and essential oil can be explored as natural antioxidant in meat products.
The feasibility of animal source foods’ color measurement using CVS
Authors: Milovanovic Bojana
Published: November 2021

Color assessment of animal source foods was investigated using a computer vision system (CVS) and a traditional colorimeter. With the same measurement conditions, color readings varied between these two approaches. The color measured by CVS was highly similar to the actual color of animal source foods, and ranged from 75.0%-100.0% of actual colors, whereas colors read by a Minolta colorimeter showed non-typical appearances. The CVS-obtained colors were more similar to the color of food visualized on the monitor, compared to colorimeter-generated color chips. Considering these results, it could be concluded that the CVS is a superior alternative for replacing traditional devices by providing better accuracy.
Effect of α-tocopherol, rosemary extract and their combination on lipid and protein oxidation in beef sausages
Authors: Nacak B , Kavuşan H S , Serdaroğlu M
Published: November 2021

This study focuses on the oxidative changes in lipids and proteins of beef sausages with incorporated a-tocopherol, rosemary extract or their combination during 3 months’ storage at 4°C. For this purpose, sausages were formulated with no antioxidant (Control, C), 200 ppm a-tocopherol (T), 200 ppm rosemary extract (R), and 100 ppm a-tocopherol + 100 ppm rosemary extract (TR). To observe oxidative changes in lipids; peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and total oxidation value (TOTOX), in proteins; sulfhydryl and carbonyl contents were measured. Use of antioxidants and storage time significantly affected oxidative stability of sausages (P<0.05). Antioxidants, individually or in combination, retarded lipid peroxidation and improve the oxidative stability of sausage during storage. The antioxidant combination showed synergistic effect on protein oxidation, as the lowest carbonyl contents were found in TR samples. As a result, a combination of antioxidants with different effect mechanisms could be the better option to prevent oxidative changes in meat products.
Influence of polyphenols on sensory properties of fermented sausages
Authors: Nikolic A , Grkovic N , Djuric S , Jovanovic J , Djordjevic V , Trbovic D , Vasilev D
Published: November 2021

In the current research, the use of polyphenols in the production of fermented sausages as a natural preservative and their influence on the sensory characteristics of these products were investigated. Polyphenols could have antimicrobial and antioxidant roles in meat products, but also a range of positive biological effects on consumers. The results of the research showed that the addition of polyphenols did not significantly affect the sensory properties (colour, cross-section appearance, consistency, odour and flavour) of the three groups of sausages (control fermented sausage and two sausage variants, one with nitrite and one without nitrite), and that sausages were highly rated during most of the storage period. In addition, all tested sausages were evaluated as acceptable until the end of the entire storage period, i.e., throughout the 280-day period after sausage production.
Can yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) be useful in protection against foodborne mutagens and food contaminants?
Authors: Nikolic B , Mitic-Culafic D , Cvetkovic S
Published: November 2021

Gentiana lutea is a wellknown and respected medicinal plant that is used in many pharmacopoeias, mainly against different gastrointestinal disorders. The plant is under protection regimes in its natural habitats and for that reason is grown on plantations. In addition, it could be cultivated in vitro. The plants grown on plantation and in in vitro conditions were used to prepare methanolic and 50% ethanolic extracts of root and leaf/shoot, which were tested for antigenotoxic and antibacterial properties, against foodborne mutagens (heterocyclic aromatic amines PhIP and IQ) and food contaminants, respectively. The results obtained pointed out the excellent genoprotective effect (up to 78% inhibition of PhIP/IQ genotoxicity) based mostly on the antioxidative potential. The antibacterial effect was mainly weak; only the extracts of in vitro grown plant induced moderate activity against Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus (MICs ranged 0.15-5 mg/ml). In addition, the extracts’ potential to prevent biofilm formation by L. monocytogenes was very high (up to 90% inhibition). Taken together, the results obtained encourage further research that would be directed to the formulation of potent antigenotoxic and antibiofilm agents based on G. lutea.
The potential of the application of Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius and Craterellus cornucopioides in frankfurters: a review
Authors: Novakovic Sasa
Published: November 2021

Today, there is increasing demand for the meat industry to produce sausages with partial or complete replacement of commercial antioxidants by natural ones, with minimal or no impact on the quality characteristics. One of the natural additives that are recognized as highly nutritious and rich in antioxidants is mushroom. The three most commonly consumed mushrooms in Serbia are Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, and Craterellus cornucopioides. This review provides information on the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of these three mushrooms in vitro, and the feasibility of their application in frankfurters. The benefits, limits, and accomplished effects of the addition of mushrooms on lipid peroxidation reduction, microbial inactivation, colour, texture, and sensorial traits are presented with regard to their implementation on the industrial level.
Use of linseed and coconut flours in chicken patties as gluten free extenders
Authors: Sharefiabadi E , Nacak B , Serdaroğlu M
Published: November 2021

Patties were extended with gluten free flours (linseed flour: LF, coconut flour: CF and their combination: LC) at a level of 5%. Control sample (B) was formulated with the same level of breadcrumbs. Using gluten free extenders did not change the water holding capacity (WHC); however, improved cooking yield resulted (P<0.05). Similarly, LF, CF and LC patties had lower diameter reduction and thickness change compared to the control sample (P<0.05). Due to color differences between breadcrumbs and gluten-free flours, color values of patties were affected significantly by the extender type (P<0.05). LF patties had the lowest L* and b*, the highest a* values within all patty groups. Different trends were observed in TBARS values of patties during storage, but in any case, all patties had TBARS values lower than 2.0 mg MA/kg throughout the storage. No significant differences were observed in patties’ sensory properties.
Contribution of veterinary profession to the response to COVID-19 pandemic conveyed through experiences of the Veterinary Faculty Sarajevo
Authors: Smajlovic M , Serić-Haracic S , Fejzic N , Omeragic J , Goletic T
Published: November 2021

The International Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), from the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, promoted One Health in global and national responses. The OIE accentuated the role of the veterinary profession due to testing capacity of animal health laboratories and expertise. Veterinary Faculty Sarajevo through its Veterinary Institute participates in the national veterinary service with diagnostic and advisory roles. It has proactively enhanced the scope and quality of laboratories, including strengthening the interdisciplinarity and internationality. Development achieved through earlier pandemic threats resulted in having laboratory and technical facilities for molecular SARS-CoV-2 detection in the wake of the unveiling COVID-19 pandemic (early 2020). From confirmation of the first COVID-19 cases in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), our staff participated in crisis response teams and, so far, held over sixty media addresses promoting public awareness and science based information. Our laboratories were included in the official detection system and were the first to sequence SARS-CoV-2, then to establish the Alpha COVID-19 variant in BiH human samples and to substantiate one-way virus transmission from humans to pets. The aim of this paper is to describe our activities as a participant in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside faced challenges and gained experiences.