Characterization and technological properties of Staphylococcus xylosus strains isolated from a Tunisian traditional salted meat

The technological properties of strains of Staphylococcus xylosus were studied to select the most suitable for use as starter cultures for the production of dried fermented meat products. Strains of S. xylosus were isolated from traditional salted Tunisian meat and were identified by biochemical and molecular methods. Thirty strains of S. xylosus were studied to evaluate their catalase, nitrate reductase, lipolytic, proteolytic and antibacterial activities as well as growth ability at different temperatures, pH's and NaCl concentrations. All strains of S. xylosus had catalase activity and were able to reduce nitrates to nitrites. The nitrate reductase activity increased when the strains were kept under anaerobic conditions. Proteolytic activity on milk and on gelatin agar was demonstrated for 100% and 83.3% of the S. xylosus isolates, respectively. However extracellular proteolytic activity as assessed by the azocasein method was poor in all the strains. Lipolytic activity as assessed by the agar method showed that 76.6% of strains of S. xylosus could hydrolyze Tween 20 against 33.3% that could hydrolyze tributyrin. Tween 80 was hydrolyzed by only 10% of strains. Strains of S. xylosus hydrolyzed pork fat better than beef and lamb fat. The majority of strains had antibacterial activity against Salmonella arizonae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis.     

Mineralogy and leachability of gasified sewage sludge solid residues

Gasification of sewage sludge produces combustible gases as well as tar and a solid residue as by-products. This must be taken into account when determining the optimal thermal conditions for the gasification process. In this study, the influence of temperature, heating atmosphere and residence time on the characteristics of the gasified sewage sludge residues is investigated. ICP-AES analyses reveal that the major chemical elements in the char residues are phosphorus, calcium, iron and silicon. Heavy metals such as copper, zinc, chromium, nickel and lead are also present at relatively high levels - from 50 to more than 1000 mg/kg of dry matter. The major mineral phases' identification - before and after heating - as well as their morphology and approximate chemistry (XRD and SEM-EDX) demonstrate that a number of transformations take place during gasification. These are influenced by the reactor's temperature and the oxidative degree of its internal atmosphere. The copper-, zinc- and chromium-bearing phases are studied using chemometric tools, showing that the distribution of those metals among the mineral phases is considerably different. Finally, batch-leaching tests reveal that metals retained in the residue are significantly stabilized after thermal treatment to a higher or lower extent, depending on the thermal conditions applied.     

Wrapping up Metal–Organic Framework Crystals with Carbon Nanotubes

The presence of tetrazine units in the organic nodes of UiO-68-TZCD controls the formation of ultrathin coatings of single-wall nanotubes that decorate the surface of the crystal. These crystal hybrids can be prepared straightforwardly in one step and are extraordinarily respectful with the properties of the framework for combination of mesoporosity and surface areas ≈4.000 m² g⁻¹, with excellent stability in water, and conductivities at room temperature of 4 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ even at very low carbon weight contents (2.3 wt.%).     

Observation of Exchange Interaction in Iron(II) Spin Crossover Molecules in Contact with Passivated Ferromagnetic Surface of Co/Au(111)

Spin crossover (SCO) complexes sensitively react on changes of the environment by a change in the spin of the central metallic ion making them ideal candidates for molecular spintronics. In particular, the composite of SCO complexes and ferromagnetic (FM) surfaces would allow spin-state switching of the molecules in combination with the magnetic exchange interaction to the magnetic substrate. Unfortunately, when depositing SCO complexes on ferromagnetic surfaces, spin-state switching is blocked by the relatively strong interaction between the adsorbed molecules and the surface. Here, the Fe(II) SCO complex [Fe^II(Pyrz)₂] (Pyrz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazolylborate) with sub-monolayer thickness in contact with a passivated FM film of Co on Au(111) is studied. In this case, the molecules preserve thermal spin crossover and at the same time the high-spin species show a sizable exchange interaction of > 0.9 T with the FM Co substrate. These observations provide a feasible design strategy in fabricating SCO-FM hybrid devices.     

Antiparasitic Derivatives of the Furoquinoline Alkaloids Kokusaginine And Flindersiamine

We report the synthesis of 16 new compounds obtained from kokusaginine and flindersiamine, the main alkaloids isolated from the bark of Balfourodendron riedelianum. The activity of the compounds against axenic cultures of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigtotes and trypomastigotes, as well as intracellular amastigotes, is described, together with their cytotoxic activity against three different human cell lines. The synthetic strategy for the preparation of the new compounds was based on the reactivity at the C4 position of the furoquinoline core towards nucleophiles. The new derivatives were synthesized by a Buchwald-Hartwig reaction, in most cases under green, solvent-free conditions. Compounds 1 c and 1 e displayed better in-vitro activity against trypomastigotes than benznidazole and nifurtimox (positive controls) with IC₅₀<4 μM. In addition, both compounds were not cytotoxic against the three human cell lines K562 (erytroleukimia), LM2 (breast cancer), and HaCat (keratinocyte). Interestingly, when evaluated against intracellular amastigotes, compound 1 c was able to significantly reduce the number of this parasite form, compared to the negative control.     

Structure-Based Virtual Screening and in vitro and in vivo Analyses Revealed Potent Methyltransferase G9a Inhibitors as Prospective Anti-Alzheimer's Agents

G9a is a lysine methyltransferase able to di-methylate lysine 9 of histone H3, promoting the repression of genes involved in learning and memory. Novel strategies based on synthesizing epigenetic drugs could regulate gene expression through histone post-translational modifications and effectively treat neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, potential G9a inhibitors were identified using a structure-based virtual screening against G9a, followed by in vitro and in vivo screenings. First, screening methods with the AD transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans strain CL2006, showed that the toxicity/function range was safe and recovered age-dependent paralysis. Likewise, we demonstrated that the best candidates direct target G9a by reducing H3 K9me2 in the CL2006 strain. Further characterization of these compounds involved the assessment of the blood-brain barrier-permeability and impact on amyloid-β aggregation, showing promising results. Thus, we present a G9a inhibitor candidate, F , with a novel and potent structure, providing both leads in G9a inhibitor design and demonstrating their participation in reducing AD pathology.     

Twenty years of energy policy in Europe: achievement of targets and lessons for the future

The different energy transition efforts in the EU-27 countries are analysed, paying special attention to the achievement of set energy targets and the real influence on energy dependence and GHG reduction. Various methodologies were used, ranging from construction of timelines to geo-statistical analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the implementation of machine learning techniques and models, using R. The results show how different modifications of the energy saving and efficiency targets, along with lower power consumption due to the COVID pandemic, resulted in that although most of the EU-27 countries have achieved their saving and efficiency targets, this has not been reflected in a real reduction in consumption (compared to 1990 levels). In addition, the fulfilment of the objectives has not resulted in a reduction in energy dependence, generating a false sense of security and satisfaction in the fulfilment of the targets. Concerning GHGs, almost all EU-27 countries decrease their GHG emissions per capita compared to 2000 (with the exception of Lithuania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Latvia), with this decrease being mainly related to the fulfilment of renewable energy targets in transport. The conclusion highlights the need to make greater efforts to achieve saving and efficiency in the near future; otherwise, higher power consumption via renewable energy sources, while helping meet future increases in energy demand, will not impact the reduction in energy dependence compared to current levels.

Graphical abstract

Achievement of energy transition targets. Contribution to the reduction in greenhouse gases and energy dependence.

     

Role of Metal Contacts on Halide Perovskite Memristors

Halide perovskites are promising candidates for resistive memories (memristors) due to their mixed electronic/ionic conductivity and the real activation mechanism is currently under debate. In order to unveil the role of the metal contact and its connection with the activation process, four model systems are screened on halide perovskite memristors: Nearly inert metals (Au and Pt), low reactivity contacts (Cu), highly reactive contact (Ag and Al), and pre-oxidized metal in the form of AgI. It is revealed that the threshold voltage for activation of the memory effect is highly connected with the electrochemical activity of the metals. Redox/capacitive peaks are observed for reactive metals at positive potentials and charged ions are formed that can follow the electrical field. Activation proceeds by formation of conductive filaments, either by the direct migration of the charged metals or by an increase in the concentration of halide vacancies generated by this electrochemical reaction. Importantly, the use of pre-oxidized Ag⁺ ions leads to very low threshold voltages of ≈0.2 V indicating that an additional electrochemical reaction is not needed in this system to activate the memristor. Overall, the effect of the metal contact is clarified, and it is revealed that AgI is a very promising interfacial layer for low-energy applications.