Cold Atmospheric Plasma Does Not Affect Stellate Cells Phenotype in Pancreatic Cancer Tissue in Ovo

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a challenging neoplastic disease, mainly due to the development of resistance to radio- and chemotherapy. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is an alternative technology that can eliminate cancer cells through oxidative damage, as shown in vitro, in ovo, and in vivo. However, how CAP affects the pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), key players in the invasion and metastasis of PDAC, is poorly understood. This study aims to determine the effect of an anti-PDAC CAP treatment on PSCs tissue developed in ovo using mono- and co-cultures of RLT-PSC (PSCs) and Mia PaCa-2 cells (PDAC). We measured tissue reduction upon CAP treatment and mRNA expression of PSC activation markers and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling factors via qRT-PCR. Protein expression of selected markers was confirmed via immunohistochemistry. CAP inhibited growth in Mia PaCa-2 and co-cultured tissue, but its effectiveness was reduced in the latter, which correlates with reduced ki67 levels. CAP did not alter the mRNA expression of PSC activation and ECM remodelling markers. No changes in MMP2 and MMP9 expression were observed in RLT-PSCs, but small changes were observed in Mia PaCa-2 cells. Our findings support the ability of CAP to eliminate PDAC cells, without altering the PSCs.     

Bibliometric analysis of bibliographic behaviours in economic sciences

A bibliometric study based on the analysis of six Ph. D. thesis in economics. In this study the methodology is based on the distinction we made between two different information sources in each thesis:

Comparing learning ecologies of primary graphical programming: create or fix?

In the last few years, programming, computational thinking, and robotics are more frequently integrated into elementary education. This integration can be done in many different ways. However, it is still unclear which teaching methods work in which situations. To provide some clarity in this area, we compared two methods of integrating programming into a primary robotics workshop for learners aged ten to twelve. In one method, students create programs from scratch; in the other, they start with a faulty program they have to fix. These teaching methods were evaluated using the framework of learning ecology, which provides a holistic framework for assessing complex learning environments. We identified different indicators of learning ecology and assessed our workshops using a mixed-methods approach. Our results showed no difference between the groups on the intrinsic dimension of a learning ecology. However, on the experiential dimension, the learners in the create group scored better on all tests. Our results show the value of a multidimensional assessment of learning ecology to understand different teaching techniques. Additionally, the results provide us with important insights on how to integrate programming into a primary robotics curriculum enabling teachers to select better methods for teaching computing in their classroom.     

Dry heat stress stability evaluation of casein peptide mixture

During food processing, peptide-containing products often experience thermal stress, which can be voluntary heat treatments to prolong expiration date, or unwanted side-effects, e.g. local heating during powder compaction or milling. No information is currently available on the primary structure stability of peptides when heated in the dry state. Therefore, the short-term dry heat stress stability of casein hydrolysate was evaluated by exposure to temperatures of 100, 140 and 180 °C during 1, 3 and 5 min time intervals. Moreover, the impact of oxidising and reducing agents, as well as photolytic stability were assessed. Contrary to the general belief that peptides are heat-labile, based on degradation results in solution, all peptides remained stable up to 3 min at 180 °C. The influence of a reducing environment was found to be minimal, while the impact of an oxidising environment was significant. Our findings open perspectives for thermal peptide processing techniques.     

Housing Consumption and Financial Policy Instruments in the Netherlands

Reforming the system of financial instruments on the housing market is a recurring issue. This paper constructs a model explaining household behaviour, in particular the effects of prices and income on the tenure choice and the level of housing consumption. It analyses the effects that may be expected of fundamental changes of financial policy instruments in the Netherlands: (1) a conversion of below market rents to market rent levels; (2) a switch from the current fiscal system for owner-occupiers to a general lump sum tax reduction; and (3) a combination of these measures. The results indicate that the initial disadvantageous effects on the housing costs are large, but the behavioural response of households and the expected changes of price levels considerably reduce or even eliminate longrun effects. Since the effects may be substantial for individual households, a well-considered transition path, as is done in other countries, should be used.     

Publications from university-affiliated anaesthesiology departments: a look at Belgium,France and the Netherlands from 2001 to 2015

Scientometrics - Publication performance of academic departments hints at research activity and attractiveness for employees. The aim of this retrospective bibliographic study was to compare...     

Cultural differences in user groups: a multi-angle understanding of IT use in large organizations

In this paper, we analyze how differences between groups of end-users of the same technology (distributed within and across organizations) are reflected in specific breakdowns in the use of technology as well as in the interaction between these groups. In order to reach this goal, we consider as unit of analysis the occupational groups that are approached as reflecting a particular occupational culture. In addition, we analyze the effect of local subcultures on occupational groups. The two main aspects of culture on which we focused the study are language and values. Using this perspective, we carried out two case studies in two large organizations. The conclusions of this research show that the concept of occupational groups (with related occupational subcultures) is indeed a useful approach to explain differences in groups of end-users and the related breakdowns in use of technology and interaction among groups. The results of the study can inform design decisions and support action for improvements of interaction processes among groups of end-users of the same technology.

Expanded bed adsorption as a fast technique for the large-scale purification of the complete isoform pool of Ber e 1, the major allergen from Brazil nuts

A new, fast, large-scale purification method for Ber e 1, the major allergen from Brazil nuts, using expanded bed adsorption (EBA) chromatography, is presented. Using EBA, crude extracts can be applied to a fluidized column, which allows the unhindered passage of particulate impurities, thereby avoiding time-consuming centrifugation or filtration steps. With this new purification method, 2.8 g of Ber e 1 was obtained from 85 g defatted Brazil nut meal, essentially within 1 day. Various structural as well as immunochemical characteristics of the purified protein were determined, and compared to those of Ber e 1 purified using conventional chromatographic techniques. The complete pool of Ber e 1 isoforms was collected using EBA. The most abundant isoforms were observed to have pI around 8 and heterogeneity was observed in both the large and the small subunit of the heterodimeric protein. Ber e 1 has a highly ordered secondary structure. No apparent differences in immune reactivity were observed between EBA purified Ber e 1 and conventionally purified Ber e 1, using IgE-binding experiments. Thus, using EBA, Ber e 1 can be purified fast and on gram-scale, while having purity equal to that of conventionally purified Ber e 1.     

Silicon Mobilization in Soils: the Broader Impact of Land Use

Dissolved Si (DSi) provision from land systems triggers diatom growth and CO₂ sequestration. Soils and ecosystems act as a Si “filter”, transforming DSi originated from mineral weathering into biogenic Si (BSi) after DSi uptake by plants, or into other pedogenic forms of Si (non-BSi). Land use changes the quantity of BSi and non-BSi pools along the soil profile. However, methods used to isolate Si pools include chemical extractions at high temperatures and alkaline environments and therefore are unable to provide information concerning the dissolution potential of BSi and non-BSi pools under normal conditions of temperature and pH. Here, we conducted a batch experiment where forest, pasture and cropland soil samples were mixed with water at 25 °C and pH 7. The soil samples were collected from a temperate land use gradient located in the Belgian Loess Belt. We measured dissolved Si and aluminium (Al) during 80 days. BSi and non-BSi pool contents along the soil profile were known, as they had been established previously through chemical extraction. Results show that BSi and non-BSi enriched samples present distinct Si and Al dissolution curves. While non-BSi pools contribute significantly with immediate availability of Si, BSi pools present an initial slow dissolution. Therefore, croplands that were depleted of phytoliths and had poorly organic horizons display higher concentrations of initial dissolved Si, while pastures and forests, where pedogenic pools dominate only at depths below 40 cm, have more limited initial Si release.