Evaluation of Particleboards Made from Giant Reed (Arundo donax L.) Bonded with Cement and Potato Starch

There is a general concern about the rationalization of resources and the management of waste. Plant residues can contribute to the development of new non-polluting construction materials. The objective of this study was to valorize a plant residue such as the giant reed and obtain a particleboard with cement using potato starch as a plasticizer in a manufacturing process involving compression and heat. The influence of cement and starch in different proportions and its stability over time were analyzed. Finally, their physical and mechanical properties were evaluated and compared to European Standards. High-quality sustainable particleboards (boards with high structural performance) were obtained and can be classified as P6 according to European Standards. Mechanical properties were improved by increasing the starch content and pressing time, whereas greater resistance to water was obtained by increasing the cement content. Giant reed particles seem to tolerate the alkalinity of the cement since there was no sign of degradation of its fibers. The use of these residues in the manufacture of construction materials offers a very attractive alternative in terms of price, technology and sustainability.

Optimization of the Production Factors of Boards Obtained from Arundo donax L. Fibers Without Added Adhesives

The main objective of this work was to further analyze the optimization of the production factors of Arundo donax L. fiberboards obtained without adhesives. The production of boards derived from Arundo donax L. without added adhesives and with high mechanical performance has already been demonstrated. This present study explored a modification in the production process through a final curing thermal treatment (final heat treatment, FHT). Since pressing time is an influential factor in the production cost, it is expected that curing allows a reduction of this time. This study compared the results obtained by three panel-production alternatives: long pressing time (tp) without curing and long and short tp with FHT. Of the two factors analyzed, pressing pressure (Pp) was the most important production factor in both the modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR), while curing was the most important factor for the internal bond (IB). The study shows that a FHT facilitates the distribution of lignin and a possible improvement in the quantity and quality of bonds between lignin and cellulosic fibers. As a consequence, it improves the IB, produces boards with more homogeneous physical and mechanical properties and thereby makes them more hydrophobic. The curing thermal treatment allows high performance panels to be obtained in a manner which is more ecological, quicker, and cheaper.

Immunological aspects of the efficiency of protectotype vaccination strategy against chicken infectious bronchitis

Background

One of the most commonly applied protectotype vaccination protocol against infectious bronchitis (IB) in broiler chickens in the EU is simultaneous or alternate use of Ma5 and 4/91 vaccine strains. After IB vaccination and infection, systemic and upper respiratory tract (URT), humoral and cell-mediated immunity (CMI), are stimulated. The level of this stimulation correlates with the level of protection against IB.

Results

We’ve investigated the development of URT and systemic, cell-mediated and humoral immunity in commercial broiler chickens vaccinated with Ma5 and/or 4/91 strains at hatch day. We’ve demonstrated that the group vaccinated with Ma5 and 4/91 strain simultaneously developed the most desirable immunity which reflects the level of CD8⁺ T cells stimulation in spleen and Harderian gland, as well as the level of IgA and IgY in URT washings and serum and their cross-reactivity with 7 IBV strains.

Conclusions

Although we did not demonstrate directly why Ma5 + 4/91 protocol is so efficient it seems that it combines the benefits of monovalent vaccination with either Ma5 or 4/91 and while Ma5 seems to stimulate CMI more efficiently, the 4/91 strain generates a wider spectrum of immune system cross-reactivity and higher URT IgA production.

Shear-induced hydrodynamic cavitation as a tool for pharmaceutical micropollutants removal from urban wastewater

In this study, the removal of clofibric acid, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, carbamazepine and diclofenac residues from wastewater, using a novel shear-induced cavitation generator has been systematically studied. The effects of temperature, cavitation time and H2O2 dose on removal efficiency were investigated. Optimisation (50°C; 15 min; 340 mg L(-1) of added H2O2) resulted in removal efficiencies of 47-86% in spiked deionised water samples. Treatment of actual wastewater effluents revealed that although matrix composition reduces removal efficiency, this effect can be compensated for by increasing H2O2 dose (3.4 g L(-1)) and prolonging cavitation time (30 min). Hydrodynamic cavitation has also been investigated as either a pre- or a post-treatment step to biological treatment. The results revealed a higher overall removal efficiency of recalcitrant diclofenac and carbamazepine, when hydrodynamic cavitation was used prior to as compared to post biological treatment i.e., 54% and 67% as compared to 39% and 56%, respectively. This is an important finding since diclofenac is considered as a priority substance to be included in the EU Water Framework Directive.

Guidance on preparing an investigational new drug application for fecal microbiota transplantation studies

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective treatment for Clostridium difficile infections that are refractory to antibiotic therapy. Because of the important roles of the microbiota in the function of the gastrointestinal tract and other aspects of human physiology, there is a growing interest in studying FMT for other clinical indications. The US Food and Drug Administration regulates clinical studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of FMT. Studies of FMT for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection or other indications could require submission of an investigational new drug application. Most academic physicians and investigators do not have the regulatory experience necessary to undertake this process. We provide guidance to researchers on the preparation and submission of investigational new drug applications to study FMT.

Monitoring tissue inflammation and responses to drug treatments in early stages of mice bone fracture using 50 MHz ultrasound

Bone fracture induces moderate inflammatory responses that are regulated by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) or 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) for initiating tissue repair and bone formation. Only a handful of non-invasive techniques focus on monitoring acute inflammation of injured bone currently exists. In the current study, we monitored in vivo inflammation levels during the initial 2 weeks of the inflammatory stage after mouse bone fracture utilizing 50 MHz ultrasound. The acquired ultrasonic images were correlated well with histological examinations. After the bone fracture in the tibia, dynamic changes in the soft tissue at the medial-posterior compartment near the fracture site were monitored by ultrasound on the days of 0, 2, 4, 7, and 14. The corresponding echogenicity increased on the 2nd, 4th, and 7th day, and subsequently declined to basal levels after the 14th day. An increase of cell death was identified by the positive staining of deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay and was consistent with ultrasound measurements. The increases of both COX-2 and Leukotriene B4 receptor 1 (BLT1, 5-LO-relative receptor), which are regulators for tissue inflammation, in the immunohistochemistry staining revealed their involvement in bone fracture injury. Monitoring the inflammatory response to various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) treatments was investigated by treating injured mice with a daily oral intake of aspirin (Asp), indomethacin (IND), and a selective COX-2 inhibitor (SC-236). The Asp treatment significantly reduced fracture-increased echogenicity (hyperechogenicity, p<0.05) in ultrasound images as well as inhibited cell death, and expression of COX-2 and BLT1. In contrast, treatment with IND or SC-236 did not reduce the hyperechogenicity, as confirmed by cell death (TUNEL) and expression levels of COX-2 or BLT1. Taken together, the current study reports the feasibility of a non-invasive ultrasound method capable of monitoring post-fracture tissue inflammation that positively correlates with histological findings. Results of this study also suggest that this approach may be further applied to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of inflammatory processes and to develop therapeutic strategies for facilitating fracture healing.

Do-it-yourself histidine-tagged bovine enterokinase: a handy member of the protein engineer's toolbox

Enterokinase, a two-chain duodenal serine protease, activates trypsinogen by removing its N-terminal propeptide. Due to a clean cut after the non-primed site recognition sequence, the enterokinase light chain is frequently employed in biotechnology to separate N-terminal affinity tags from target proteins with authentic N-termini. In order to obtain large quantities of this protease, we adapted an in vitro folding protocol for a pentahistidine-tagged triple mutant of the bovine enterokinase light chain. The purified, highly active enzyme successfully processed recombinant target proteins, while the pentahistidine-tag facilitated post-cleavage removal. Hence, we conclude that producing enterokinase in one's own laboratory is an efficient alternative to the commercial enzyme.

Dynamic recruitment of active proteasomes into polyglutamine initiated inclusion bodies

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's disease are hallmarked by neuronal intracellular inclusion body formation. Whether proteasomes are irreversibly recruited into inclusion bodies in these protein misfolding disorders is a controversial subject. In addition, it has been proposed that the proteasomes may become clogged by the aggregated protein fragments, leading to impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Here, we show by fluorescence pulse-chase experiments in living cells that proteasomes are dynamically and reversibly recruited into inclusion bodies. As these recruited proteasomes remain catalytically active and accessible to substrates, our results challenge the concept of proteasome sequestration and impairment in Huntington's disease, and support the reported absence of proteasome impairment in mouse models of Huntington's disease.

Infant botulism: first two confirmed cases in Slovenia and literature review

In Europe, infant botulism is a rare but probably under-diagnosed disease. With the intent to spread the awareness of this potentially life-threatening disease, we present a review of the literature with the emphasis on European epidemiology and a practical approach to diagnosis. We also report the first two confirmed cases of infant botulism in Slovenia and describe our way to the final diagnosis in a clinical setting where all appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment options are not readily available. The second case is particularly interesting, presenting with profound diarrhea following initial constipation, an unlikely symptom for an infant with botulism and possibly caused by Bacteroides fragilis.

Physical exercise during pregnancy improves object recognition memory in adult offspring

Exercising during pregnancy has been shown to improve spatial learning and short-term memory, as well as increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA levels and hippocampal cell survival in juvenile offspring. However, it remains unknown if these effects endure into adulthood. In addition, few studies have considered how maternal exercise can impact cognitive functions that do not rely on the hippocampus. To address these issues, the present study tested the effects of maternal exercise during pregnancy on object recognition memory, which relies on the perirhinal cortex (PER), in adult offspring. Pregnant rats were given access to a running wheel throughout gestation and the adult male offspring were subsequently tested in an object recognition memory task at three different time points, each spaced 2-weeks apart, beginning at 60 days of age. At each time point, offspring from exercising mothers were able to successfully discriminate between novel and familiar objects in that they spent more time exploring the novel object than the familiar object. The offspring of non-exercising mothers were not able to successfully discriminate between objects and spent an equal amount of time with both objects. A subset of rats was euthanized 1h after the final object recognition test to assess c-FOS expression in the PER. The offspring of exercising mothers had more c-FOS expression in the PER than the offspring of non-exercising mothers. By comparison, c-FOS levels in the adjacent auditory cortex did not differ between groups. These results indicate that maternal exercise during pregnancy can improve object recognition memory in adult male offspring and increase c-FOS expression in the PER; suggesting that exercise during the gestational period may enhance brain function of the offspring.

Refolding of the recombinant protein Sm29, a step toward the production of the vaccine candidate against schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is an important parasitic disease, with about 240 million people infected worldwide. Humans and animals can be infected, imposing an enormous social and economic burden. The only drug available for chemotherapy, praziquantel, does not control reinfections, and an efficient vaccine for prophylaxis is still missing. However, the tegumental protein Sm29 of Schistosoma mansoni was shown to be a promising antigen to compose an anti-schistosomiasis vaccine. Though, recombinant Sm29 is expressed in Escherichia coli as insoluble inclusion bodies requiring an efficient process of refolding, thus, hampering its production in large scale. We present in this work studies to refold the recombinant Sm29 using high hydrostatic pressure, a mild condition to dissociate aggregated proteins, leading to refolding on a soluble conformation. Our studies resulted in high yield of rSm29 (73%) as a stably soluble and structured protein. The refolded antigen presented protective effect against S. mansoni development in immunized mice. We concluded that the refolding process by application of high hydrostatic pressure succeeded, and the procedure can be scaled-up, allowing industrial production of Sm29.

The effects of propofol on mitochondrial dysfunction following focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats

Propofol has been shown to attenuate brain injury in experimental ischemia models, but few studies have focused on the direct effect of propofol on mitochondrial dysfunction. In this study, we observed the effects of propofol on multiple aspects of mitochondrial dysfunction by studying the mitochondria isolated from rat brains subjected to focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. The mitochondria of the cortical tissue were isolated by the Percoll density gradient centrifugation. The isolated mitochondria were fixed and examined with electron microscopy. The calcium-induced mitochondrial swelling was quantified by measuring the decrease in light transmission at 540 nm with a spectrometer. Fluorescent probes were used to selectively stain mitochondria. Flow cytometry was used to measure the membrane potential and the production of reactive oxidative species. Propofol improved the signs of injury in the cortical mitochondria that were exposed to reperfusion following 2 h of focal ischemia. Propofol prevented calcium-induced mitochondrial swelling in a concentration-dependent manner. It did not affect the reperfusion-induced reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential. However, it decreased the production of the mitochondrial reactive oxidative species, which are generated during reperfusion. These results demonstrate that propofol may protect against mitochondrial dysfunction by preventing the ultrastructural change to the mitochondria and the calcium-induced mitochondrial swelling. This protective effect may be mediated by inhibiting the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition and reducing the production of reactive oxidative species in mitochondria.