<i>Trypanosoma rangeli:</i> growth in mammalian cells <i>in vitro</i> and action of a repositioned drug (17-AAG) and a natural extract (<i>Artemisia sp</i>. essential oil)

Trypanosoma rangeli and T. cruzi are both parasitic unicellular species that infect humans. Unlike T. cruzi,the causative agent of Chagas disease, T. rangeli is an infective and non-pathogenic parasite for humans, but pathogenicfor vectors from the Rhodnius genus. Because both species can coexist in different hosts and overlap their infectivecycles but very little is known about the infection of T. rangeli in mammalian cells, we decided to characterize both thedevelopment of this parasite in cell culture and the effect of therapeutic agents with potential trypanocidal action onit. We found that T. rangeli exhibits a cycle of infection in Vero cells similar to that for T. cruzi and that the repurposeddrug, 17-AAG, and the natural extract Artemisia sp. essential oil produce a toxic effect on epimastigotes showinga trypanocidal action from the fifth day of culture. Both treatments also affected the infection of trypomastigotesand reduced the capacity of replication of amastigotes of T. rangeli. Since T. cruzi / T. rangeli coinfection cases havebeen reported, the finding of drugs with potential activity against both species could be significant in the future.Furthermore, studies of susceptibility of both species to drugs could also help to know the different mechanisms ofpathogenicity in humans displayed by T. cruzi that are absent in T. rangeli     

Efficiency of wave impeding barrier in pipeline construction under earthquake excitation using nonlinear finite element analysis

Earthquakes have caused colossal casualties and severe damages to engineering structures and especially leading to substantial economic loss to the underground structures and/or infrastructures. Pipelines are one of most important component of lifeline engineering. For instance, the Southern Caucasus- Eastern Turkey energy corridors are formed by several key pipelines carrying crude oil and natural gas from Azerbaijan, via Georgia, to world markets through Mediterranean Sea. Many project accomplished recently and construction of new corridors are still going on. They should be protected from earthquake disaster especially when they pass through high seismicity zones. The installation of wave impeding barriers (WIB) below the vulnerable infrastructures as pipelines established in soft soil can be used to reduce the effect of the earthquake induced ground borne vibrations. In this paper, a WIB as artificial bedrock based on the cut-off frequency of a soil layer over bedrock is proposed as isolation measurement in order to mitigate the dynamic response of the buried pipelines under earthquake strong ground motion. The computational simulation of the wave propagation problem is directly achieved by employing nonlinear 2D finite element modelling for prediction of screening performance of WIB on the dynamic response of vibrating coupled soil-pipeline system. Energy absorbing boundaries along the truncated interfaces of the unbounded nature of the underlying soil media are implemented in the time domain along with Newmark’s integration. An extensive parametric investigation and systematic computations are performed with different controlling parameters. The obtained numerical results point out that WIB can be very promising as an isolator to protect pipelines when they establish for a certain depth.     

Megavoltage imaging with low Z targets: implementation and characterization of an investigational system

The poor quality of stereotactic radiotherapy portal images is a limiting factor in precise image registration. To alleviate this problem, a low atomic number (Z) target was implemented on our Siemens MXE linear accelerator. This investigational system was used to assess the performance of various target materials by filming an aluminum contrast object. Beryllium, carbon and conventional target materials were studied. The bremsstrahlung spectra of these materials were simulated using Monte Carlo techniques. These spectra were used to calculate the dependence of narrow beam contrast on phantom thickness for verification of the data measured from film. A Monte Carlo simulation of the beryllium spectrum in a wide beam geometry was used to evaluate the effect of phantom-to-film distance on contrast. Although the same degree of contrast improvement with distance was not realized in practice, the improvement in image quality rivaled that achieved using a scatter reduction grid. A comparison of conventional localization images of the head and neck of an anthropomorphic phantom with images produced with a beryllium or carbon target and a mammography film and screen system supports earlier suggestions that the technique is clinically useful.     

Reflectance assessment of mite effects on apple trees

Reflectance measurements were conducted in field plots of Golden Smoothee 2038 apple cultivar subjected to different levels of mite attack (from 0 to 500 cumulative mite days) over a 2-year period. Chlorophyll concentration decreased and carotenoid/chlorophyll a ratio increased with increasing level of attack. Classical reflectance indices such as red edge wavelength or the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index were unable to distinguish among treatments. On the other hand, spectral indices based on carotenoid/chlorophyll a (SRPI R430/R680) and chlorophyll degradation (Normalized Phaeophytinization Index calculated as (R415-R435)/(R435 +R415)) were correlated with the level of attack. These reflectance indices show potential uses of visible reflectance as non-invasive, non-destructive techniques for detection of mite effects.     

EFFECTS OF GLUCOSE OXIDASE, HEMICELLULASE AND ASCORBIC ACID ON DOUGH AND BREAD QUALITY

ABSTRACT

In this study, glucose oxidase alone or its combinations with hemicellulase or ascorbic acid were used in bread making. Glucose oxidase alone mainly decreased dough extensibility. It produced stiffer and less extensible dough. Combinations of glucose oxidase–hemicellulase presented lower extensibility and were more resistant to extension than glucose oxidase alone. When glucose oxidase–ascorbic acid combinations were used, the softening degree significantly decreased, regardless when added the lowest glucose oxidase in combination with ascorbic acid. Glucose oxidase–ascorbic acid combinations significantly modified dough resistance. The glucose oxidase alone significantly increased specific loaf volume. The Dallman value of loaves made with glucose oxidase alone was found higher than for control. The most dramatic effect of additives on specific loaf volume was observed when glucose oxidase–hemicellulase combinations were added. This effect has been ascribed to redistribution of water from the hemicellulose to gluten, which would render the gluten more extensible. Specific loaf volume showed a significant enhancement when glucose oxidase–ascorbic acid combinations were added, but this effect was not as good as glucose oxidase–hemicellulase. The effects of glucose oxidase and its combinations with ascorbic acid and hemicellulase on dough rheology and bread quality are highly dependent on the amount of enzyme and the original wheat flour quality.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

In practice, appropriate combinations of glucose oxidase with hemicellulase can be used as improvers in bread making, depending on their combination levels. This study will show the way to new research about glucose oxidase, ascorbic acid and hemicellulose.

     

Associative Growth of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Cabbage Juice

Combinations of Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus brevis, Pediococcus cerevisiae, and Lactobacillus plantarum were grown in sterile cabbage juice broth. The effects of culture interactions were determined by lag times, generation times, pH change, and total acidity measurements. Fresh filter-sterilized cabbage juice was a better medium than autoclaved cabbage juice, or refrigerated filter-sterilized cabbage juice. The addition of NaCl (2.25%) had a minimal effect on the cultures, except for L. mesenteroides, which was inhibited. In paired association studies, L. mesenteroides was inhibited by all the other cultures, conversely, L. plantarum and L. brevis benefited from most of the culture interactions.     

Nucleus geometry and mechanical properties of resistance spot welded coated–uncoated DP automotive steels

In this study, mechanical properties of resistance spot welding of DP450 and DP600, galvanized and ungalvanized automotive sheets have been investigated. The specimens have been joined by resistance spot welding at different weld currents and times. Welded specimens have been examined for their mechanical, macrostructure and microstructure properties. Depending on the weld current and time, effects of zinc coating on tensile properties, microhardness values as well as microstructure nugget geometry and nucleus size ratio have been investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis has been used to investigate the phase that formed at the joint interface. Result of the experiment show that nugget diameter, indentation depth and tensile load-bearing capacity are affected by weld parameters. Coating prevents full joining at low parameters. Microhardness increased in heat-affected zone and weld metal.     

Liquid Smoke Effects on Escherichia Coli O157:H7, and its Antioxidant Properties in Beef Products

Experiments were performed to evaluate the antibacterial properties of liquid smoke (LS), against E. coli O157:H7, in model (agar) and meat systems. The effects of 8% LS on growth of E. coli O157:H7 attached to ground beef, and 1.5% LS on warmed-over flavor (WOF) in precooked beef patties were also studied. E. coli O157:H7 growth was reduced (p<0.05) 2.3 log₁₀ CFU/g in ground beef patties after 3d refrigerated storage. TBA numbers, aroma scores and pH values were lower (p<0.05) in LS treated beef patties. LS reduced undesirable flavor development and may help assure the safety of beef products.