Non-Coding RNA-Driven Regulation of rRNA Biogenesis

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) biogenesis takes place in the nucleolus, the most prominent condensate of the eukaryotic nucleus. The proper assembly and integrity of the nucleolus reflects the accurate synthesis and processing of rRNAs which in turn, as major components of ribosomes, ensure the uninterrupted flow of the genetic information during translation. Therefore, the abundant production of rRNAs in a precisely functional nucleolus is of outmost importance for the cell viability and requires the concerted action of essential enzymes, associated factors and epigenetic marks. The coordination and regulation of such an elaborate process depends on not only protein factors, but also on numerous regulatory non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Herein, we focus on RNA-mediated mechanisms that control the synthesis, processing and modification of rRNAs in mammals. We highlight the significance of regulatory ncRNAs in rRNA biogenesis and the maintenance of the nucleolar morphology, as well as their role in human diseases and as novel druggable molecular targets.     

Copolymerization kinetics of dental dimethacrylate resins initiated by a benzoyl peroxide/amine redox system

The copolymerization of four dental dimethacrylates initiated by a benzoyl peroxide/4-N,N-dimethylamino phenethyl alcohol redox system at 37°C was studied with differential scanning calorimetry. The studied dimethacrylates were viscous bisphenol A glycidyl dimethacrylate (Bis-GMA), bisphenol A ethoxylated dimethacrylate (Bis-EMA), and urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), which were characterized as base monomers, and low-viscosity triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), which was characterized as a diluent. Also, three series of dimethacrylate copolymers were prepared by incremental additions (12.5 wt %) of TEGDMA to a base comonomer (Bis-GMA, UDMA or Bis-EMA). The maximum rate of homopolymerization of the dimethacrylates followed the order of Bis-GMA > UDMA > TEGDMA > Bis-EMA, and the final degree of conversion of the corresponding homopolymers followed the order of TEGDMA > UDMA > Bis-EMA > Bis-GMA. A reaction–diffusion-controlled termination region was clear in all monomers and started earlier in bulky and rigid Bis-GMA and Bis-EMA (followed by the more flexible UDMA and TEGDMA) but lasted longer in the Bis-EMA polymerization. The maximum rate of copolymerization and degree of conversion of copolymers of a base monomer with TEGDMA changed monotonically with an increase in the TEGDMA content in the initial comonomer mixture. A synergistic effect was clear only in the final double-bond conversion of Bis-GMA/TEGDMA. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Comprehensive Two‐Dimensional Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Different Types of Vegetable Oils

Comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC‐TOFMS) was applied for detailed characterization of fatty acid profile of 8 vegetable oils. Due to enhanced selectivity and sensitivity characteristics, the GC×GC method yielded more reliable quantification results compared to one dimensional gas chromatography, especially for medium‐chain fatty acids and odd‐carbon number fatty acids, which are present only at trace level. All problematic positional counterparts of unsaturated fatty acids (e.g. C21:0–C20:3 ω6, C20:3ω3–C20:4 ω6 and C20:5 ω3–C22:0), which commonly coeluted in the case of 1D gas chromatography, were baseline resolved. The specific compounds were found for particular vegetable oils, such as γ‐linolenic acid for hempseed oil, heneicosylic acid and tricosylic acid for olive pomace oil, and nervonic acid for mustard oil.     

Photoactive mussels inspired polymer coatings: Preparation and antibacterial activity

In this article we report on the facile preparation of photoactive antibacterial mussel inspired polymer coatings deposited on a stainless steel (SS) substrate from water based precursors. The coating is prepared by the sequential deposition of aqueous based solutions of an anchoring layer based on bio-inspired glue, a cationic polymer bearing pendent catechols, a nanogel decorated by ortho-quinones and a photosensitizer of the aminoacridine type. This latter is grafted to the coating by reaction of its amino group with the o-quinone of the deposited nanogel. The deposition of all layers is followed in-line by Quartz crystal microbalance coupled with dissipation (QCM-D) and AFM shows that the thin polymer film repeated the roughness of the SS substrate. The prepared coatings show good mechanical properties applying nanoindentation techniques. The established antibacterial activity of the prepared photoactive polymer coatings on SS against Gram-negative E. coli strain demonstrate their potential as a power tool for medical applications.     

Influence of Preservative Concentration,pH Value and Fat Content in Raw Milk at Detection Limit of Microbial Inhibitor Tests (Delvotest® Accelerator) for Amoxicillin and Oxytetracycline

The presence of antibiotic residues in raw milk is a big threat not only to the dairy industry but also to public health. Therefore, it is very important to detect antibiotic residues in raw milk. There are many reliable antibiotic test used in dairy laboratories. Unfortunately, some factors can affect the results causing, so-called false-positive results. The aims of this paper are to check the detection limits of microbiological inhibitor test with test organisms Geobacillus stearothermophilus var. calidolactis, which are provided on Delvotest® Accelerator instrument (DSM, The Netherlands) for antibiotics amoxicillin and oxytetracycline and to examine the influence of variations of milk fat contents, pH values and azidiol concentrations in raw milk on detection limits, e.g., test results. The obtained results showed that detection limit for amoxicillin is 3 μg/L and oxytetracycline 250 μg/L; concentration of preservative azidiol of 0.1 mL per 40 mL of milk does not affect the detection limits of the test; microbiological inhibitor test is extremely sensitive to low pH value of samples so, it is recommended to avoid testing milk samples with low pH value, or to adjust the sample’s pH value by addition of some base; and that fat content in raw milk up to 5 % does not affect the detection limit of the methods for amoxicillin and for oxytetracycline.     

Citizens’ Perceptions on Water Conservation Policies and the Role of Social Capital

Planning and implementing environmental policies for the sustainable management of water resources is a challenging task. In order to improve the effectiveness of these policies it is essential to explore their social implications. The present article aims to investigate environmental policies focusing on domestic water conservation and their interconnection with social capital elements. In particular, by means of an empirical study conducted in an insular community of Greece, citizens’ perceptions are explored concerning the restrictions imposed from different environmental policy instruments for water consumption and their perceived level of effectiveness. Furthermore, the influence of social capital parameters on these perceptions is investigated. Aggregated indicators of social capital are estimated with Confirmatory Factor Analysis measuring social and institutional trust, participation in social networks and compliance with social norms. Through the results of ordinal regression models it is evident that significant connections exist between elements of social capital and perceptions of citizens towards water consumption policies.     

Shelf life extension of ground meat stored at 4 °C using chitosan and an oxygen absorber

The combined effect of chitosan (1%) and an oxygen absorber on shelf life extension of fresh ground meat stored at 4 °C was investigated. Parameters monitored over a 10‐day storage period were Total Viable Count (TVC), Pseudomonas spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, pH, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), colour, odour and taste. Microbial populations were reduced by 0.4–2.0 log CFU g^?1 for a given sampling day using either chitosan or the oxygen absorber, with the more pronounced effect being achieved by the combination of two. Thiobarbituric acid values for all samples increased during storage with the exception of samples treated with both chitosan and the oxygen absorber in which Thiobarbituric acid values decreased. Changes in pH values with time/different treatments were statistically insignificant. Colour parameters were affected by most treatments. On the basis of microbiological and sensory evaluation, a shelf life extension of 5–6 days was obtained for samples treated with the chitosan and the oxygen absorber combination.     

Treatment Challenges in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma: Differential Response to Anti-IL-5 and Anti-IL-5R Therapy

Severe asthma greatly affects patients’ quality of life. Major advances have occurred in the management of severe eosinophilic asthma the past few years due to the new targeted biological therapies. There are three anti-IL-5 mAbs, mepolizumab, reslizumab and benralizumab. Despite the different mechanism of blocking IL-5 the clinical effects are quite similar as randomized controlled trials and real-life studies have shown. Moreover, there are reports of responding to one after failing to respond to another anti-IL-5 therapy. Accordingly, it is challenging to explore the possible differences in the response to anti-IL-5 treatments. This might help us not only understand possible mechanisms that contribute to the resistance to treatment in this particular asthma endotype, but also to phenotype within severe eosinophilic asthma in order to treat our patients more efficiently.     

The phytochemical rich potential of acorn (Quercus aegilops) products and by products

Food Science and Biotechnology - The phytochemical content of acorn (Quercus aegilops) products (nuts and flour) and by products (shells and leaching waters) regarding their content in total...