Huitlacoche (ustilago maydis) as a food source — biology,composition, and production

Huitlacoche is the ethnic name applied to the young fruiting bodies (galls) of the fungus Ustilago maydis, which causes common smut of maize (Zea mays L). Biologists and agronomists have historically used U. maydis as a model to study a wide array of genetic, physiological, ecological, and phytopathological phenomena. In Mexico and other Latin American countries, huitlacoche has been used traditionally as human food, being highly regarded as an interesting dish or condiment. The food potential of huitlacoche is described here in terms of its chemical composition, which includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. In addition, essential amino acids (especially lysine) and fatty acids (linoleate) are present in huitlacoche in considerable levels, adding to its nutritional attributes. The feasibility of growing U. maydis in submerged agitated culture has yielded a variety of fermentation products, including essential amino acids, proteins, vitamins, and flavorings, among others. Recent interest in developing huitlacoche as a cash crop has come from increasing acceptance by the North American public, who prize it as a new delicacy. However, research efforts are still needed to determine the biological factors involved in the establishment of U. maydis as a pathogen on the maize plant. This review deals with the role of huitlacoche as a food source, implicating the biological components that will determine the development of technologies for large scale production.     

Evaluation of an air quality model for the size and composition of source-oriented particle classes

Air quality model predictions of the size and composition of atmospheric particle classes are evaluated by comparison with aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ATOFMS) measurements of single-particle size and composition at Long Beach and Riverside, CA, during September 1996. The air quality model tracks the physical diameter, chemical composition, and atmospheric concentration of thousands of representative particles from different emissions classes as they are transported from sources to receptors while undergoing atmospheric chemical reactions. In the model, each representative particle interacts with a common gas phase but otherwise evolves separately from all other particles. The model calculations yield an aerosol population, in which particles of a given size may exhibit different chemical compositions. ATOFMS data are adjusted according to the known particle detection efficiencies of the ATOFMS instruments, and model predictions are modified to simulate the chemical sensitivities and compositional detection limits of the ATOFMS instruments. This permits a direct, semiquantitative comparison between the air quality model predictions and the single-particle ATOFMS measurements to be made. The air quality model accurately predicts the fraction of atmospheric particles containing sodium, ammonium, nitrate, carbon, and mineral dust, across all particle sizes measured by ATOFMS at the Long Beach site, and in the coarse particle size range (Da > or = 1.8 microm) atthe Riverside site. Given thatthis model evaluation is very likely the most stringent test of any aerosol air quality model to date, the model predictions show impressive agreement with the single-particle ATOFMS measurements.     

Aquatic Training after Joint Immobilization in Rats Promotes Adaptations in Myotendinous Junctions

The myotendinous junction (MTJ) is the muscle-tendon interface and constitutes an integrated mechanical unit to force transmission. Joint immobilization promotes muscle atrophy via disuse, while physical exercise can be used as an adaptative stimulus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the components of the MTJ and their adaptations and the associated elements triggered with aquatic training after joint immobilization. Forty-four male Wistar rats were divided into sedentary (SD), aquatic training (AT), immobilization (IM), and immobilization/aquatic training (IMAT) groups. The samples were processed to measure fiber area, nuclear fractal dimension, MTJ nuclear density, identification of telocytes, sarcomeres, and MTJ perimeter length. In the AT group, the maintenance of ultrastructure and elements in the MTJ region were observed; the IM group presented muscle atrophy effects with reduced MTJ perimeter; the IMAT group demonstrated that aquatic training after joint immobilization promotes benefits in the muscle fiber area and fractal dimension, in the MTJ region shows longer sarcomeres and MTJ perimeter. We identified the presence of telocytes in the MTJ region in all experimental groups. We concluded that aquatic training is an effective rehabilitation method after joint immobilization due to reduced muscle atrophy and regeneration effects on MTJ in rats.     

Effect of photoperiod on flavonoid pathway activity in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) leaves

Compared with those of major commercial leafy vegetables, leaves of sweet potato have higher contents of flavonoids and phenolic acids, which provide significant health benefits and may be used as natural colourants. We have analysed the expression of key flavonoid biosynthesis genes using RT-PCR and the accumulation of polyphenolic compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a photodiode-array detector, during the development of leaves of sweet potato plants growing under either long day or short day photoperiods. A massive induction of flavonoid pathway gene expression, correlating with a dramatic increase in the content of an anthocyanin, catechins, flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids and hydroxybenzoic acids, was observed during sweet potato leaf exposure to a long day photoperiod. These results provide further support for the protective role of flavonoids and phenolic acids against enhanced light exposure in plants.     

CD26 Deficiency Controls Macrophage Polarization Markers and Signal Transducers during Colitis Development and Resolution

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a multifactorial condition characterized by a destructive immune response that failed to be attenuated by common regulatory mechanisms which reduce inflammation and promote mucosa healing. The inhibition of CD26, a multifunctional glycoprotein that controls the immune response via its dipeptidyl peptidase (DP) 4 enzyme activity, was proven to have beneficial effects in various autoimmune inflammatory diseases. The polarization of macrophages into either pro-inflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory M2 subclass is a key intersection that mediates the immune-inflammatory process in UC. Hence, we hypothesized that the deficiency of CD26 affects that process in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced model of UC. We found that mRNA expression of M2 markers arginase 1 and Fizz were increased, while the expression of M1 marker inducible NO synthase was downregulated in CD26^−/− mice. Decreased STAT1 mRNA, as well as upregulated pSTAT6 and pSTAT3, additionally support the demonstrated activation of M2 macrophages under CD26 deficiency. Finally, we investigated DP8 and DP9, proteins with DP4-like activity, and found that CD26 deficiency is not a key factor for the noted upregulation of their expression in UC. In conclusion, we demonstrate that CD26 deficiency regulates macrophage polarization toward the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, which is driven by STAT6/STAT3 signaling pathways. This process is additionally enhanced by the reduction of M1 differentiation via the suppression of proinflammatory STAT1. Therefore, further studies should investigate the clinical potential of CD26 inhibitors in the treatment of UC.     

Engineering model transformations with transML

Model transformation is one of the pillars of model-driven engineering (MDE). The increasing complexity of systems and modelling languages has dramatically raised the complexity and size of model transformations as well. Even though many transformation languages and tools have been proposed in the last few years, most of them are directed to the implementation phase of transformation development. In this way, even though transformations should be built using sound engineering principles—just like any other kind of software—there is currently a lack of cohesive support for the other phases of the transformation development, like requirements, analysis, design and testing. In this paper, we propose a unified family of languages to cover the life cycle of transformation development enabling the engineering of transformations. Moreover, following an MDE approach, we provide tools to partially automate the progressive refinement of models between the different phases and the generation of code for several transformation implementation languages.     

Circular Sponge against miR-21 Enhances the Antitumor Activity of Doxorubicin against Breast Cancer Cells

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, with chemotherapy being the main strategy. However, its effectiveness is reduced by drug resistance mechanisms. miR-21 is upregulated in breast cancer that has been linked to drug resistance and carcinogenic processes. Our aim was to capture miR-21 with a circular sponge (Circ-21) and thus inhibit the carcinogenic processes and drug resistance mechanisms in which it participates. Proliferation, migration, colony formation, cell cycle, and poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) detection assays were performed with MCF7 breast cancer cells and MCF10A non-tumor cells. In addition, doxorubicin resistance tests and detection of drug resistance gene expression were performed in MCF7 cells. Reduction in proliferation, as well as migration and colony formation, increased PARP-1 expression, inhibition of VEGF expression and cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase were displayed in the Circ-21 MCF7, which were not observed in the MCF10A cells. Furthermore, in the MCF7 cells, the Circ-21 enhanced the antitumor activity of doxorubicin and decreased the expression of resistance genes: ABCA1, ABCC4, and ABCC5. Based on these results, the use of Circ-21 can be considered a first step for the establishment of an effective gene therapy in the treatment of breast cancer.     

River fragmentation in the northern Sandomierz Basin (SE Poland)

River fragmentation is a process highly detrimental for fish survival by impeding their migrations. Although fragmentation by big dams has been studied, there is still a big deficiency of data related to small barriers. This study was designed as a detailed, local-scale analysis of several chosen river stretches in the Sandomierz Basin, Poland. It aimed to: (1) map all natural and artificial barriers in the study area, (2) assess the impacts of these barriers on fish migration, (3) compare findings to existing databases, and (4) make recommendations for improved barrier management. Ten lowland rivers covering a total 424 km length were surveyed by river walkovers and kayak surveys, with all the barriers mapped and all the artificial structures assessed for fish migration using the ICE protocol protocol for ecological continuity. There were 67 beaver dams and 89 artificial barriers recorded, with only 24% of the latter being included in national databases. The average artificial barrier density in all the surveyed rivers was 0.2 barriers/km and varied from 0.75 barriers/km in first order streams to 0.01 barriers/km in sixth order river. The findings revealed that 18% of the barriers were passable for all fish species, with 35% totally impassable. The analysis of specific barrier parameters indicated that water depth at the barrier had a greater influence on fish passability than the barrier height. Several barriers were proposed for removal to specifically improve the potential for fish migration.     

Guest editorial for the theme section on modeling language engineering

Software and Systems Modeling -     

结构设计的社会价值——若昂·维拉诺瓦·阿蒂加斯承重结构设计中的人性维度

若昂·维拉诺瓦·阿蒂加斯(1915-1985)[1][2]身为巴西20世纪最具影响力的建筑师之一,其独特的建筑作品最近才受到国际上的广泛关注和认可.阿蒂加斯相信人性内容应寓于形式探索,唯有将之融入结构设计,才能赋予其意义.力倡和平与民主但又政治激进的阿蒂加斯,在自己的设计实践中认知到了将结构升格为社会隐喻的永恒潜力.从...