Extracellular Matrix Deposition and Remodeling after Corneal Alkali Burn in Mice

Corneal transparency relies on the precise arrangement and orientation of collagen fibrils, made of mostly Type I and V collagen fibrils and proteoglycans (PGs). PGs are essential for correct collagen fibrillogenesis and maintaining corneal homeostasis. We investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and PGs after a chemical injury. The chemical composition of chondroitin sulfate (CS)/dermatan sulfate (DS) and heparan sulfate (HS) were characterized in mouse corneas 5 and 14 days after alkali burn (AB), and compared to uninjured corneas. The expression profile and corneal distribution of CS/DSPGs and keratan sulfate (KS) PGs were also analyzed. We found a significant overall increase in CS after AB, with an increase in sulfated forms of CS and a decrease in lesser sulfated forms of CS. Expression of the CSPGs biglycan and versican was increased after AB, while decorin expression was decreased. We also found an increase in KS expression 14 days after AB, with an increase in lumican and mimecan expression, and a decrease in keratocan expression. No significant changes in HS composition were noted after AB. Taken together, our study reveals significant changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix following a corneal chemical injury.     

Effect of finishing and ageing time on quality attributes of loin from the meat of Holstein–Fresian cull cows

The effects of finishing time, (T0 = 0, T1 = 30 and T2 = 60 days), on Holstein–Friesian cull cows (n = 18) and post-mortem ageing, (1, 7, 14, 21, 35 and 42 days), under vacuum conditions of Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscles were investigated. The objective of this research was to study how finishing feeding (based on a commercial concentrate and corn silage), following a pasture period of 90 days, affected carcass and meat quality. Ageing time effect was also evaluated on the main quality attribute of added value pieces, such as “striploin of ox” from cull cows. Finishing treatment affected intramuscular fat content (IMF), moisture percentage, water-holding capacity (WHC), colour parameters and shear force of meat at 24 h post-mortem, whereas ageing time enhanced meat tenderness, when this was measured by two textural tests, Warner–Braztler (WB) and textural profile analysis (TPA). A minimum shear force was achieved at 7 and 14 days of ageing for T1 and T2, respectively. No differences (P > 0.05) could be found in colour parameters from 7 to 42 days. The results show that a finishing time of two months is very beneficial, due to the increase in meat fatness, improved overall carcass quality and luminosity (L*). Furthermore, 14 ageing days were sufficient to improved tenderness. Ageing time did not have an effect on lipid oxidation (P > 0.05) and this leads us to conclude that meat shelf life exceeded 42 days under vacuum conditions’.     

Mineral profile of “fino” wines using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry methods

Fifty wines from the Denomination of origin (DO) of Condado de Huelva were analysed for mineral content by measuring 12 elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Sr and Zn) using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Samples were previously digested by heating with H₂O₂/HNO₃ mixture. The results obtained showed that metal data set were non-normally distributed and accordingly, non-parametric statistics were applied. The average levels (medians) of these elements found in the samples are as follows, in mg/L: 2.54 (Al); 0.06 (Ba); 82.58 (Ca); 0.21 (Cu); 3.53 (Fe); 865.34 (K); 68.87 (Mg); 0.71 (Mn); 32.77 (Na); 71.61 (P); 0.48 (Sr); 0.56 (Zn). The interrelation of metal couples was studied through the Spearman non-parametric sample correlation, being Fe/Al, P/Mg, and Zn/Ba the most important correlations established. As a result of this study, we can suggest that the contribution to the safety intake limits (per week) of the studied elements through the wine consumption is not significant. Actually, they range between 0.1% in Fe and 11.9% in Mg, for normal drinkers.     

Modification of the optical and structural properties of ZnO nanowires by low-energy Ar+ ion sputtering

The effects of low-energy (≤2 kV) Ar⁺ irradiation on the optical and structural properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires (NWs) grown by a simple and cost-effective low-temperature technique were investigated. Both photoluminescence spectra from ZnO NW-coated films and cathodoluminescence analysis of individual ZnO NWs demonstrated obvious evidences of ultraviolet/visible luminescent enhancement with respect to irradiation fluence. Annihilation of the thinner ZnO NWs after the ion bombardment was appreciated by means of high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which results in an increasing NW mean diameter for increasing irradiation fluences. Corresponding structural analysis by TEM pointed out not only significant changes in the morphology but also in the microstructure of these NWs, revealing certain radiation-sensitive behavior. The possible mechanisms accounting for the decrease of the deep-level emissions in the NWs with the increasing irradiation fluences are discussed according to their structural modifications.     

Identification of naturally isolated Southern Louisiana's algal strains and the effect of higher CO2 content on fatty acid profiles for biodiesel production

BACKGROUND: Microalgae, with both high biomass productivity and oil content, are regarded as attractive candidates for the production of alternative biodiesel as well as for CO₂ biofixation. In the present study, four microalgal strains native to southeastern Louisiana's waters were isolated and identified to evaluate their potential for the production of biodiesel. Selected strains were identified through genomic DNA in sequencing of either 16S rRNA or 18S rRNA genes followed by lipid and fatty acid content characterization and quantification. RESULTS: High correlation was found with known nucleotide sequence identities at 98% with Sellaphora pupula, and 99% with Synechococcus sp., Chlorella sorokiniana, Scenedesmus abundans, and Chlorella vulgaris (control). The fatty acid profiles of these organisms changed when using 5% CO₂ aeration. Total fatty acids (TFA) decreased from 20.63 to 17.62, 54.83 to 24.4, and 29.82 to 23.99 g kg^?1 in Synechococcus sp., Sellaphora pupula and Chlorella sorokiniana, respectively. TFA increased from 14.14 to 31.49 and 15.14 to 47.52 g kg^?1 dry biomass in Scenedesmus abundans and Chlorella vulgaris (control), respectively. CONCLUSION: Chlorella sorokiniana, with a lower C18:3 and the highest biomass yield at 5% CO₂ aeration, was found to be the best candidate for biodiesel production. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Immunological determination of gliadin 33‐mer equivalent peptides in beers as a specific and practical analytical method to assess safety for celiac patients

BACKGROUND: Cereals used for beer manufacturing contain gluten, which is immunotoxic for celiac patients. The gluten remaining after processes of malting and brewing is mostly hydrolyzed, which makes practical evaluation of the immunotoxicity of the gluten pools challenging. RESULTS: We analyzed the presence of gluten peptides equivalent to the major immunotoxic protease‐resistant gliadin 33‐mer in 100 Belgium beers, using monoclonal antibodies (G12/A1). Immunochromatographic strips and enzyme‐linked immonosorbent assay G12/A1 methods estimated at least 20 ppm gluten equivalents in 90 beers and gluten‐free in 10 beers. The G12/A1 reactivity of beer high‐performance liquid chromatographic fractions correlated to the presence of T‐cell‐reactive epitopes identified by peptide sequencing. CONCLUSION: The determination of equivalent gliadin 33‐mer epitopes in beers has been shown to be practical, specific, and sensitive for the measurement of potential immunotoxicity for celiac patients. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Transformation Methods for the Numerical Integration of Three-Dimensional Singular Functions

The implementations of the eXtended Finite Element Method and the Boundary Element Method need to face the challenge of integrating singular functions. Since standard quadrature techniques usually produce inaccurate results, a number of specific algorithms have been developed to address this problem. We present a general framework for the systematic formulation of the three-dimensional case. The classical cubic transformation is also considered, including an analytical optimization of its parameters for improved practical efficiency.     

An introductory TEM study of Fe-nanominerals within coal fly ash

The investigation presented here was conducted during a wider experiment on the technical feasibility and environmental impacts of tire combustion in a Brazilian coal-fired power station. Nanometric-sized crystalline phases in fly ash were characterised using energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) images. The nanoparticles, which register abundance peaks at 10 nm and 100 nm, include iron-rich oxide (e.g. hematite), Fe-sulphate (e.g., yavapaiite: KFe(SO₄)₂), and Fe-aluminumsilicate glass. Individual metalliferous nanoparticles have a heterogeneous microstructure in which elements such as iron, aluminum and silicon are not uniformly distributed. HR-TEM offers a powerful analytical technique in the study of fly ash nanoparticles, providing a better understanding of the detailed chemistry of this potentially strongly bioreactive component of atmospheric particulate matter.     

Estimating above‐ground burned biomass and CO2 emissions for tropical Africa for the year 1990 with the NOAA–NASA Pathfinder AVHRR 8 km land dataset

Biomass burning combusts Earth's vegetation (in forests, savannas and agricultural lands) and occurs over huge areas of the Earth's surface. Global estimates of biomass burning are thus required in order to provide exact figures of the gas fluxes derived from this source. In this paper we use coarse resolution images for estimating above‐ground burned biomass and CO₂ emissions for tropical Africa for the year 1990. The burned land cover areas have been derived from burn scar and land cover maps using the global daily National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration–National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NOAA–NASA) Pathfinder AVHRR 8?km land dataset. A burned area estimation of (742±222)?Mha has been considered. Monthly maximum Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) composites and biomass density measurements have been used for modelling the temporal behaviour of above‐ground biomass for the main seasonal vegetation classes in Africa (humid savanna, derived humid savanna, dry savanna grassland and broadleaf savanna). The amount of above‐ground burned biomass and therefore CO₂ emissions can be estimated from burned land cover area, above‐ground biomass density, burn efficiency and emission factor of trace gas by land cover class. A total of 6494 (3675–9312) Tg for CO₂ emissions was computed for tropical Africa for the year 1990.     

Probiotics: An alternative strategy for combating salmonellosis: Immune mechanisms involved

Salmonella produces infections of different nature and severity depending of many factors including the Salmonella serovar involved, strain virulence, infective dose, host animal species, age and immune status of the host. The treatments against Salmonella infections rely on supportive and antibiotic therapy to eliminate the pathogen, but the development of resistance by Salmonella to the antimicrobials most commonly used limits its efficacy. Other disadvantages of antibiotic treatments are that they can lead to acute diarrhea (antimicrobials normally induce an imbalance of intestinal bacterial flora) and may produce chronic toxicity. Considering this undesired consequences of antibiotics and because at the present there are no effective oral vaccines which protect against salmonellosis, scientists have been searching for alternative methods to control enteric infections. In the present review, probiotics are proposed as an attractive possibility to attend this concern. Probiotic are live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host. In vitro and in vivo studies showed the effectiveness of probiotic administration in the prevention or in the treatment against Salmonella infection. There are several mechanisms by which probiotic strains might exert their effects. They include non immune mechanisms (stabilization of the gut mucosal barrier, competition for adhesion, secretion of antimicrobial substances, etc.) and the modulation of the mucosal and systemic immune responses. These mechanisms are species and/or strain specific. There are also evidences that in some cases, a mix of probiotic strains can be more useful than each strain alone against this infection. In addition, the presence of one or more probiotic strains in a fermented product can improve the beneficial properties of the probiotic strains involved. It was also reviewed the security of probiotics administration after Salmonella infection in healthy host and in immunosuppressed or babies hosts. Although, the major part of the researches were performed in animal models through in vivo assays or by in vitro studies using human cell lines, some studies carried out in humans to verify the probiotic effects were also addressed in the present review. Nevertheless, is of critical importance to perform more clinical trials in humans to validate the results obtained with each specific probiotic strain or probiotic product.