Explore the vast range of titles available.

Fil: Lopez, Beatriz Alicia. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Instituto de Bionanotecnología del Noa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Bionanotecnología del Noa; Argentina

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of antioxidant treatments on the conservation of cut eggplants (Solanum melongena L.), which was carried out in two stages. Initially, the effect of citric acid (CA), ascorbic acid (AA) and cysteine (Cys) solution at 0.5 and 1% on sensory attributes (general appearance and browning), and color parameters during storage were evaluated. Immersion in 1% AA was considered the best antioxidant since it maintained visual quality for 6 days. Subsequently, hot water dipping (HWD) treatments followed by the 1% AA solution were evaluated and optimized through the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Sensory attributes, color parameters, respiration rate (RR), phenolic compounds (PhC), antioxidant capacity, as well as the activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) were assessed during cold storage. The results showed that HWD at 50 °C, 60 s and 1% AA was the optimal combination to control enzymatic browning and extend its fresh quality for up to 8 days. Furthermore, that combination of treatments reduced the PPO and POD activities and increased the PhC compared to the control (untreated), not finding significant differences between them in antioxidant capacity and RR. Therefore, the application of this combination would be the most appropriate to preserve the quality of the fresh-cut eggplants for 8 days of storage at 4 °C.

Fil: Rodriguez, Silvia del Carmen. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias. Instituto de Ciencias y Tecnologías Alimentarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Centro de Investigación en Biofísica Aplicada y Alimentos. - Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Centro de Investigación en Biofísica Aplicada y Alimentos; Argentina

Pozadina istraživanja. Svježe rezano voće i povrće smatra se dobrim izvorom antioksidacijskih spojeva. Međutim, njihova trajnost je ograničena zbog smanjenja kakvoće proizvoda, nutritivnih vrijednosti i sigurnosti. Stoga su u posljednje vrijeme razvijeni različiti postupci obrade i čuvanja hrane te određivanja antioksidacijskih spojeva koji nakon konzumacije imaju višestruko povoljan učinak na zdravlje. Svrha je ovoga rada bila usporediti rezultate analize sastava polifenola i askorbinske kiseline u ekstraktima voća (patlidžan), jestivog korijenja (mrkva) i lišća (radič, zelena salata i blitva) dobivene elektrokemijskom i spektrofotometrijskom metodom, te procijeniti njihovu mogućnost detekcije neznatne promjene sastava antioksidacijskih spojeva u ekstraktu ploda patlidžana izloženom UV-C svjetlosti različitog intenziteta. Eksperimentalni pristup. Polifenolni spojevi i askorbinska kiselina određeni su elektrokemijskom i spektrofotometrijskom metodom. Za određivanje polifenolnih spojeva elektrokemijskom metodom korišten je enzimski biosenzor, a za određivanje askorbinske kiseline nanokompozitni biosenzor. Za spektrofotometrijska mjerenja korištene su sljedeće metode: Folin-Ciocalteu i metoda koju su razvili Kampfenkel i suradnici. Rezultati i zaključci. Rezultati dobiveni pomoću ove dvije, različite metode usporedivi su i u skladu s očekivanjima. Obje metode mogu poslužiti za određivanje udjela askorbinske kiseline i polifenola u ekstraktima voća i povrća. Osim toga, obje su metode detektirale promjenu u koncentraciji analita u uzorcima izloženim različitom intenzitetu UV-C zraka i vremenu skladištenja. Naposljetku, opaženo je da antioksidacijski kapacitet ovisi o vrsti hrane, postupku obrade te vremenu skladištenja. Novina i znanstveni doprinos. Obje su metode prikladne za kvantifikaciju analita; međutim, elektrokemijski su senzori bili specifičniji i selektivniji, mogli su se primijeniti na različite uzorke voća i povrća, te su pomoću njih dobiveni precizniji rezultati u kraćem vremenskom razdoblju i manjem volumenu uzorka, što smanjuje troškove radi manje potrošnje reagensa.

The aim of this study was to gain insight into the perceptions of pig farm and abattoir workers as well as lay citizens regarding (1) sentience and (2) positive (intelligent and friendly) and negative (gluttonous, stubborn and dirty) attributes of pigs. We also aimed to investigate the (3) knowledge and perceptions of pig farm and abattoir workers on tail lesion, ear lesion and lameness in pigs and (4) the opinion of lay citizens regarding the likelihood of tail lesions, ear lesions, and lameness causing suffering in pigs and affecting meat quality. Chilean pig farm workers (n = 116), pig abattoir workers (n = 95), and lay citizens (n = 708) were invited on farm, at the abattoir and in public places, respectively, to participate in a survey. Answers were indicated using a 5-point Likert scale (0 = totally disagree; 4 = totally agree). Data were analysed using generalized linear models, including recruitment place and socio-demographic data as predictor variables. Female and lay citizens attributed pigs a higher capacity to experience feelings than male participants and pig farm and abattoir workers (p < 0.05). Lay citizens and workers recruited on farm described pigs as being more intelligent and friendly than those workers recruited at the abattoir (p < 0.001); recruitment place and sex were not associated with participants’ perception regarding negative attributes of pigs (p > 0.05). Most lay citizens considered that tail lesions, ear lesions and lameness are likely to cause suffering in pigs and older participants had higher odds of agreeing that tail and ear lesions are likely to affect meat quality (p < 0.05). Finally, the risk factors for tail lesion, ear lesions and lameness pointed out by pig farm and abattoir workers is in line with what has been suggested by experts. Our findings contribute to understand the perception and values of all stakeholders regarding animal welfare, as it is crucial to improve the sustainability of animal production systems.

Encouraging office workers to 'sit less and move more' encompasses two public health priorities. However, there is little evidence on the effectiveness of workplace interventions for reducing sitting, even less about the longer term effects of such interventions and still less on dual-focused interventions. This study assessed the short and mid-term impacts of a workplace web-based intervention (Walk@WorkSpain, W@WS; 2010-11) on self-reported sitting time, step counts and physical risk factors (waist circumference, BMI, blood pressure) for chronic disease. Employees at six Spanish university campuses (n=264; 42±10 years; 171 female) were randomly assigned by worksite and campus to an Intervention (used W@WS; n=129; 87 female) or a Comparison group (maintained normal behavior; n=135; 84 female). This phased, 19-week program aimed to decrease occupational sitting time through increased incidental movement and short walks. A linear mixed model assessed changes in outcome measures between the baseline, ramping (8 weeks), maintenance (11 weeks) and follow-up (two months) phases for Intervention versus Comparison groups. A significant 2 (group) × 2 (program phases) interaction was found for self-reported occupational sitting (F[3]=7.97, p=0.046), daily step counts (F[3]=15.68, p=0.0013) and waist circumference (F[3]=11.67, p=0.0086). The Intervention group decreased minutes of daily occupational sitting while also increasing step counts from baseline (446±126; 8,862±2,475) through ramping (+425±120; 9,345±2,435), maintenance (+422±123; 9,638±3,131) and follow-up (+414±129; 9,786±3,205). In the Comparison group, compared to baseline (404±106), sitting time remained unchanged through ramping and maintenance, but decreased at follow-up (-388±120), while step counts diminished across all phases. The Intervention group significantly reduced waist circumference by 2.1cms from baseline to follow-up while the Comparison group reduced waist circumference by 1.3cms over the same period. W@WS is a feasible and effective evidence-based intervention that can be successfully deployed with sedentary employees to elicit sustained changes on \"sitting less and moving more\".

Background Few studies have examined the impact of ‘sit less, move more’ interventions on workplace performance. This study assessed the short and mid-term impacts of and patterns of change within, a 19-week workplace web-based intervention (Walk@WorkSpain; W@WS; 2010–11) on employees´ presenteeism, mental well-being and lost work performance. Methods A site randomised control trial recruited employees at six Spanish university campuses ( n  = 264; 42 ± 10 years; 171 female), assigned by worksite and campus to an Intervention (IG; used W@WS; n  = 129; 87 female) or an active Comparison group (A-CG; pedometer, paper diary and self-reported sitting time; n  = 135; 84 female). A linear mixed model assessed changes between the baseline, ramping (8 weeks), maintenance (11 weeks) and follow-up (two months) phases for the IG versus A-CG on (i) % of lost work productivity (Work Limitations Questionnaire; WLQ); (ii) three scales for presenteeism (WLQ) assessing difficulty meeting scheduling demands (Time), performing cognitive and inter-personal tasks (Mental-Interpersonal) and decrements in meeting the quantity, quality and timeliness of completed work (Output); and (iii) mental well-being (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale). T-tests assessed differences between groups for changes on the main outcomes. In the IG, a multivariate logistic regression model identified patterns of response according to baseline socio-demographic variables, physical activity and sitting time. Results There was a significant 2 (group) × 2 (program time points) interaction for the Time (F [3]=8.69, p  = 0.005), Mental-Interpersonal (F [3]=10.01, p  = 0.0185), Output scales for presenteeism (F [3]=8.56, p  = 0.0357), and for % of lost work performance (F [3]=10.31, p  = 0.0161). Presenteeism and lost performance rose significantly in both groups across all study time points; after baseline performance was consistently better in the IG than in the A-CG. Better performance was linked to employees being more active (Time, p  = 0.041) and younger (Mental-interpersonal, p  = 0.057; Output, p  = 0.017). Higher total sitting time during nonworking days (Mental-interpersonal, p  = 0.019) and lower sitting time during workdays (WLQ Index, p  = 0.013) also improved performance. Conclusion Versus an active comparison condition, a ‘sit less, move more` workplace intervention effectively reduced an array of markers of lost workday productivity. Trial registration NCT02960750 ; Date of registration: 07/11/2016.

Studies using the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus contributed to elucidating numerous fundamental aspects of antibody structure and diversification mechanisms and continue to be valuable for the development and testing of therapeutic humanized polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Additionally, during the last two decades, the use of the European rabbit as an animal model has been increasingly extended to many human diseases. This review documents the continuing wide utility of the rabbit as a reliable disease model for development of therapeutics and vaccines and studies of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying many human diseases. Examples include syphilis, tuberculosis, HIV-AIDS, acute hepatic failure and diseases caused by noroviruses, ocular herpes, and papillomaviruses. The use of rabbits for vaccine development studies, which began with Louis Pasteur’s rabies vaccine in 1881, continues today with targets that include the potentially blinding HSV-1 virus infection and HIV-AIDS. Additionally, two highly fatal viral diseases, rabbit hemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis, affect the European rabbit and provide unique models to understand co-evolution between a vertebrate host and viral pathogens. Infectious disease: A leap forward for disease models Rabbits offer a powerful complement to rodents as a model for studying human immunology, disease pathology, and responses to infectious disease. A review from Pedro Esteves at the University of Porto, Portugal, Rose Mage of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Bethesda, USA and colleagues highlights some of the areas of research where rabbits offer an edge over rats and mice. Rabbits have a particularly sophisticated adaptive immune system, which could provide useful insights into human biology and produce valuable research and clinical reagents. They are also excellent models for studying - infectious diseases such as syphilis and tuberculosis, which produce pathology that closely resembles that of human patients. Rabbit-specific infections such as myxomatosis are giving researchers insights into how pathogens and hosts can shape each other’s evolution.

The Meningococcal Antigen Typing System (MATS) was developed to identify meningococcus group B strains with a high likelihood of being covered by the 4CMenB vaccine, but is limited by the requirement for viable isolates from culture-confirmed cases. We examined if antigen genotyping could complement MATS in predicting strain coverage by the 4CMenB vaccine. From a panel of 3912 MATS-typed invasive meningococcal disease isolates collected in England and Wales in 2007–2008, 2014–2015 and 2015–2016, and in 16 other countries in 2000–2015, 3481 isolates were also characterized by antigen genotyping. Individual associations between antigen genotypes and MATS coverage for each 4CMenB component were used to define a genetic MATS (gMATS). gMATS estimates were compared with England and Wales human complement serum bactericidal assay (hSBA) data and vaccine effectiveness (VE) data from England. Overall, 81% of the strain panel had genetically predictable MATS coverage, with 92% accuracy and highly concordant results across national panels (Lin’s accuracy coefficient, 0.98; root-mean-square deviation, 6%). England and Wales strain coverage estimates were 72–73% by genotyping (66–73% by MATS), underestimating hSBA values after four vaccine doses (88%) and VE after two doses (83%). The gMATS predicted strain coverage in other countries was 58–88%. gMATS can replace MATS in predicting 4CMenB strain coverage in four out of five cases, without requiring a cultivable isolate, and is open to further improvement. Both methods underestimated VE in England. Strain coverage predictions in other countries matched or exceeded England and Wales estimates. An Audio Summary linked to this article that can be found on Figshare https://figshare.com/articles/gMATS_video_Vaccine-_2019-_37_7_991-1000_mp4/9326687

Canine mammary carcinomas (CMC) are associated with major aggressive clinical behavior and high mortality. The current standard of care is based on surgical resection, without an established effective treatment scheme, highlighting the urgent need to develop novel effective therapies. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of tumor angiogenesis and progression in the majority of solid cancers, including human and canine mammary carcinomas. The first therapy developed to target VEGF was bevacizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody, which has already been approved as an anticancer agent in several human cancers. The goal of this work was to establish the therapeutic value of MB02 bevacizumab biosimilar in CMC. First, through different in silico approaches using the MUSCLE multiple-sequence alignment tool and the FoldX protein design algorithm, we were able to predict that canine VEGF is recognized by bevacizumab, after showing an extremely high sequence similarity between canine and human VEGF. Further, by using an ELISA-based in vitro binding assay, we confirmed that MB02 biosimilar was able to recognize canine VEGF. Additionally, canine VEGF-induced microvascular endothelial cell proliferation was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by MB02 biosimilar. These encouraging results show a high potential for MB02 as a promising therapeutic agent for the management of CMC.