Beacon-Less Geographic Routing in Real Wireless Sensor Networks

Geographic Routing(GR)algorithms require nodes to periodically transmit HELLO messages to allow neigh- bors to know their positions(beaconing mechanism).Beacon-less routing algorithms have recently been proposed to reduce the control overheads due to these messages.However,existing beacon-less algorithms have not considered realistic physical layers.Therefore,those algorithms cannot work properly in realistic scenarios.In this paper we present a new beacon- less routing protocol called BOSS.Its design is based on the conclusions of our open-field experiments using Tmote-sky sensors.BOSS is adapted to error-prone networks and incorporates a new mechanism to reduce collisions and duplicate messages produced during the selection of the next forwarder node.We compare BOSS with Beacon-Less Routing(BLR) and Contention-Based Forwarding(CBF)algorithms through extensive simulations.The results show that our scheme is able to achieve almost perfect packet delivery ratio(like BLR)while having a low bandwidth consumption(even lower than CBF).Additionally,we carried out an empirical evaluation in a real testbed that shows the correctness of our simulation results.     

Improving the Management of Endometrial Cancer Patients through the Use of Liquid Biopsy Analyses: A Case Report

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the 4th most common neoplasm of the female genital tract, with 15–20% of patients being of high risk of recurrence which leads to a significant decrease in patient survival. Current therapeutic options for patients with EC are poor, being the combined therapy of carboplatin and paclitaxel the standard of care, with limited efficacy. Therefore, new therapeutic options and better monitoring tools are needed to improve the management of the disease. In the current case report, we showcase the value of liquid biopsy analyses in a microsatellite instability EC patient with initially good prognosis that however underwent rapid progression disease within 6 months post-surgery; through the study of plasma cfDNA/ctDNA dynamics to assess the tumour evolution during treatment, as well as the study of the uterine aspirate as a valuable sample that captures the intra-tumour heterogeneity that allows a comprehensive genomic profiling of the disease to identify potential therapeutic options. Furthermore, preclinical models were generated at the time of tumour progression to assess the efficacy of the identified targeted therapies.     

The Greatwall–Endosulfine Switch Accelerates Autophagic Flux during the Cell Divisions Leading to G1 Arrest and Entry into Quiescence in Fission Yeast

Entry into quiescence in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is induced by nitrogen starvation. In the absence of nitrogen, proliferating fission yeast cells divide twice without cell growth and undergo cell cycle arrest in G1 before becoming G0 quiescent cells. Under these conditions, autophagy is induced to produce enough nitrogen for the two successive cell divisions that take place before the G1 arrest. In parallel to the induction of autophagy, the Greatwall–Endosulfine switch is activated upon nitrogen starvation to down-regulate protein phosphatase PP2A/B55 activity, which is essential for cell cycle arrest in G1 and implementation of the quiescent program. Here we show that, although inactivation of PP2A/B55 by the Greatwall–Endosulfine switch is not required to promote autophagy initiation, it increases autophagic flux at least in part by upregulating the expression of a number of autophagy-related genes.     

Neuropathic Pain Induces Interleukin-1β Sensitive Bimodal Glycinergic Activity in the Central Amygdala

Neuropathic pain reduces GABA and glycine receptor (GlyR)-mediated activity in spinal and supraspinal regions associated with pain processing. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) alters Central Amygdala (CeA) excitability by reducing glycinergic inhibition in a mechanism that involves the auxiliary β-subunit of GlyR (βGlyR), which is highly expressed in this region. However, GlyR activity and its modulation by IL-1β in supraspinal brain regions under neuropathic pain have not been studied. We performed chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve in male Sprague Dawley rats, a procedure that induces hind paw plantar hyperalgesia and neuropathic pain. Ten days later, the rats were euthanized, and their brains were sliced. Glycinergic spontaneous inhibitory currents (sIPSCs) were recorded in the CeA slices. The sIPSCs from CeA neurons of CCI animals show a bimodal amplitude distribution, different from the normal distribution in Sham animals, with small and large amplitudes of similar decay constants. The perfusion of IL-1β (10 ng/mL) in these slices reduced the amplitudes within the first five minutes, with a pronounced effect on the largest amplitudes. Our data support a possible role for CeA GlyRs in pain processing and in the neuroimmune modulation of pain perception.     

Maternal Fluoride Exposure Exerts Different Toxicity Patterns in Parotid and Submandibular Glands of Offspring Rats

There is currently a controversial and heated debate about the safety and ethical aspects of fluoride (F) used for human consumption. Thus, this study assessed the effects of prenatal and postnatal F exposure of rats on the salivary glands of their offspring. Pregnant rats were exposed to 0, 10, or 50 mg F/L from the drinking water, from the first day of gestation until offspring weaning (42 days). The offspring rats were euthanized for the collection of the parotid (PA) and submandibular (SM) glands, to assess the oxidative biochemistry and to perform morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses. F exposure was associated with a decrease in the antioxidant competence of PA in the 10 mg F/L group, contrasting with the increase observed in the 50 mg F/L group. On the other hand, the antioxidant competence of the SM glands was decreased at both concentrations. Moreover, both 10 and 50 mg F/L groups showed lower anti-α-smooth muscle actin immunostaining area in SM, while exposure to 50 mg F/L was associated with changes in gland morphometry by increasing the duct area in both glands. These findings demonstrate a greater susceptibility of the SM glands of the offspring to F at high concentration in comparison to PA, reinforcing the need to adhere to the optimum F levels recommended by the regulatory agencies. Such findings must be interpreted with caution, especially considering their translational meaning.     

A comparative study of the purification of betanin

Betanin is a natural pigment with antioxidant properties used as a food colourant. This work describes the spectrophotometric and chromatographic quantification of betanin (2S/15S) and its epimer isobetanin (2S/15R) in fresh beetroot juice, food-grade beetroot powder and betanin standard diluted in dextrin. Absorption spectra of all three samples were deconvoluted using a mixed three-function model. Food-grade beetroot powder has the largest amount of violet-red impurities, probably formed during processing. The purification of betanin from these complex matrices was carried out by seven different methods. Ion exchange chromatography was the most efficient method for the purification of betanin from all samples; however, fractions contain high amounts of salt. Reversed-phase HPLC as well as reversed-phase column chromatography also produced good results at a much faster rate. The longer retention time of isobetanin when compared to betanin in reversed-phase conditions has been investigated by means of quantum-mechanical methods.     

Involvement of Clostridium gasigenes and C. algidicarnis in 'blown pack' spoilage of Brazilian vacuum-packed beef

The objectives of this study were to isolate psychrotrophic clostridia from Brazilian vacuum-packed beef cuts (spoiled or not) and to identify the isolates by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Anaerobic psychrotrophic microorganisms were also enumerated and samples were collected to verify the incidence of psychrotrophic clostridia in the abattoir environment. Vacuum-packed beef cuts (n = 8 grossly distended and n = 5 non-spoiled) and environmental samples were obtained from a beef packing plant located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Each sample was divided in three subsamples (exudate, beef surface and beef core) that were analyzed for vegetative forms, total spore-forming, and sulfide reducing spore-forming, both activated by alcohol and heat. Biochemical profiles of the isolates were obtained using API20A, with further identification using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The growth temperature and the pH range were also assessed. Populations of psychrotrophic anaerobic vegetative microorganisms of up to 10¹⁰ CFU/(g, mL or 100 cm²) were found in ‘blown pack’ samples, while in non-spoiled samples populations of 10⁵ CFU/(g, CFU/mL or CFU/100cm²) was found. Overall, a higher population of total spores and sulfide reducing spores activated by heat in spoiled samples was found. Clostridium gasigenes (n = 10) and C. algidicarnis (n = 2) were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Among the ten C. gasigenes isolates, six were from spoiled samples (C1, C2 and C9), two were isolated from non-spoiled samples (C4 and C5) and two were isolated from the hide and the abattoir corridor/beef cut conveyor belt. C. algidicarnis was recovered from spoiled beef packs (C2). Although some samples (C3, C7, C10 and C14) presented signs of ‘blown pack’ spoilage, Clostridium was not recovered. C. algidicarnis (n = 1) and C. gasigenes (n = 9) isolates have shown a psychrotrophic behavior, grew in the range 6.2-8.2. This is the first report on the isolation of psychrotrophic Clostridium (C. gasigenes and C. algidicarnis) in Brazil. This study shows that psychrotrophic Clostridium may pose a risk for the stability of vacuum-packed beef produced in tropical countries during shelf-life and highlights the need of adopting control measures to reduce their incidence in abattoir and the occurrence of ‘blown pack’ spoilage.     

Reducing prepartum urine pH by supplementing anionic feed ingredients: Effects on physiological and productive responses of Holstein × Gir cows

This study compared physiological and productive parameters in 3/4 Holstein × 1/4 Gir dairy cows receiving a prepartum concentrate containing ammonium chloride to reduce urine pH near 7.0 (CON; n = 17), or a commercial anionic supplement to reduce urine pH near 6.0 (SUPP; n = 17). Nonlactating, multiparous, pregnant cows were assigned to receive SUPP or CON beginning 21 d before expected date of calving. Cows were maintained in a single drylot pen with ad libitum access to corn silage, and individually received their prepartum concentrate once daily (0800 h) before calving. Cows from both treatments completely consumed their concentrate allocation within 30 min after feeding. Cow body weight and body condition score were recorded once weekly, urine pH measured every 3 d, and blood samples collected on d ?21, ?14, ?9, ?6, and ?3 relative to expected calving date. After calving (d 0), cows were moved to an adjacent drylot pen with ad libitum access to water and a total mixed ration, and were milked twice daily (0600 and 1700 h). Cow body weight and body condition score were recorded once weekly and individual milk production was recorded daily until 30 d in milk (DIM). Blood samples were collected before each milking during the first 5 DIM, as well as at 6, 9, 16, 23, and 30 DIM before the morning milking. Based on actual calving dates, cows received SUPP or CON for (mean ± standard error) 19.2 ± 1.2 and 19.0 ± 0.9 d before calving, respectively. Urine pH was less in SUPP versus CON cows during the last 15 d of gestation (6.12 vs. 7.15, respectively). Milk yield during the first 5 DIM and throughout the experimental period was greater in SUPP versus CON cows (by 20 and 14%, respectively), whereas serum Ca concentrations did not differ between treatments during the first 5 DIM. Serum concentrations of fatty acids were greater in SUPP versus CON cows 3 d before and at calving (by 52 and 22%, respectively), whereas SUPP cows had lower serum glucose and cortisol concentration at calving (by 23 and 27%, respectively). Hence, the SUPP treatment decreased prepartum urine pH near 6.0 in Holstein × Gir dairy cows without depressing concentrate intake compared with CON, although total dry matter intake was not evaluated to fully investigate feed intake responses. Moreover, the SUPP treatment transiently affected serum glucose, fatty acids, and cortisol concentrations near the time of calving, and resulted in greater milk yield during the initial 30 DIM compared with CON.     

Pig sire type and sex effects on carcass traits,meat quality and physicochemical and sensory characteristics of Serrano dry‐cured ham

This study demonstrates that improvements in animal line selection by breeding enterprises exert a strong effect on carcass traits, meat quality and sensory characteristics of Serrano dry‐cured ham. A total of 461 pigs from the offspring of a Duroc (DU) × Landrace (LD) sow mated with two DU boars and a DU × Large White (LW) boar from three breeding enterprises were evaluated. The two DU terminal sires were significantly different (P < 0.05) in carcass conformation, backfat thickness, ham and loin yields, raw ham traits, myoglobin concentration and total pigments formed during the curing process; in addition, the two lines provided different percentages of hams (54 vs 91%) with sufficient subcutaneous fat and weight to manufacture dry‐cured Serrano hams using a slow ripening process (11 months). The DU × LW sire had the best carcass and ham traits from an economic standpoint and obtained highest scores for sensory characteristics of Serrano ham evaluated by a trained panel test; furthermore, this line provided 84% of total hams suitable for manufacturing Serrano hams by a slow process. When the sex effect was analysed, carcass and ham traits of females were more favourable, but females presented a higher incidence of pale, soft and exudative (PSE) meat and a lower percentage of hams with sufficient subcutaneous fat and weight to produce Serrano hams using a slow ripening process (61% for females and 91% for castrates). On the other hand, castrates provided Serrano hams cured by a slow procedure with better organoleptic characteristics than females. Right and left hams were similar. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry