Microbial stratification and DOM removal in drinking water biofilters: Implications for enhanced performance.

Biofiltration is a low-cost, low-energy technology that employs a biologically activated bed of porous medium to reduce the biodegradable fraction of the dissolved organic matter (DOM) pool in source water, resulting in the production of drinking water. Microbial communities at different bed depths within the biofilter play crucial roles in the degradation and removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ultimately impacting its performance. However, the relationships between the composition of microbial communities inhabiting different biofilter depths and their utilisation of various DOC fractions remain poorly understood.

Imprinted dosage as a size determinant of the mammalian pituitary gland.

Co-regulated genes of the Imprinted Gene Network are involved in the control of growth and body size, and imprinted gene dysfunction underlies human paediatric disorders involving the endocrine system. Imprinted genes are highly expressed in the pituitary gland, among them, , a paternally expressed gene whose membrane-bound and secreted protein products can regulate proliferation and differentiation of multiple stem cell populations. Dosage of circulating DLK1 has been previously implicated in the control of growth through unknown molecular mechanisms.

Validating Flow Cytometry as a Method for Quantifying Predatory Bacteria and Its Prey for Microbial Ecology.

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a predatory, Gram-negative bacteria that feeds on many pathogenic bacteria and has been investigated as a possible solution for mitigating biofilms in different fields. The application depends on more fundamental ecological studies into the dynamics between and their prey. To do so requires an accurate, reliable, and, preferably rapid, way of enumerating the cells.

Quantitative lineage analysis identifies a hepato-pancreato-biliary progenitor niche.

Studies based on single cells have revealed vast cellular heterogeneity in stem cell and progenitor compartments, suggesting continuous differentiation trajectories with intermixing of cells at various states of lineage commitment and notable degrees of plasticity during organogenesis. The hepato-pancreato-biliary organ system relies on a small endoderm progenitor compartment that gives rise to a variety of different adult tissues, including the liver, pancreas, gall bladder and extra-hepatic bile ducts. Experimental manipulation of various developmental signals in the mouse embryo has underscored important cellular plasticity in this embryonic territory.

Dysgenesis and Dysfunction of the Pancreas and Pituitary Due to FOXA2 Gene Defects.

Context: Developmental disorders of the pituitary gland leading to congenital hypopituitarism can either be isolated or associated with extrapituitary abnormalities (syndromic hypopituitarism). A large number of syndromic hypopituitarism cases are linked to mutations in transcription factors. The forkhead box A2 (FOXA2) is a transcription factor that plays a key role in the central nervous system, foregut, and pancreatic development.

Activating mutations in BRAF disrupt the hypothalamo-pituitary axis leading to hypopituitarism in mice and humans.

Germline mutations in BRAF and other components of the MAPK pathway are associated with the congenital syndromes collectively known as RASopathies. Here, we report the association of Septo-Optic Dysplasia (SOD) including hypopituitarism and Cardio-Facio-Cutaneous (CFC) syndrome in patients harbouring mutations in BRAF. Phosphoproteomic analyses demonstrate that these genetic variants are gain-of-function mutations leading to activation of the MAPK pathway.

Breeding selection imposed a differential selective pressure on the wheat root-associated microbiome.

Plants-microbiome associations are the result of millions of years of co-evolution. Due to breeding-accelerated plant evolution in non-native and highly managed soil, plant-microbe links could have been lost. We hypothesized that post-domestication breeding of wheat changed the root-associated microbiome.

Flow-cytometric quantification of microbial cells on sand from water biofilters.

Rapid quantification of absolute microbial cell abundances is important for a comprehensive interpretation of microbiome surveys and crucial to support theoretical modelling and the design of engineered systems. In this paper, we propose a protocol specifically optimised for the quantification of microbial abundances in water biofilters using flow cytometry (FCM). We optimised cell detachment from sand biofilter particles for FCM quantification through the evaluation of five chemical dispersants (NaCl, Triton-X100, CaCl, sodium pyrophosphate (PP), Tween 80 combined with PP), different mechanical pre-treatments (low and high energy sonication and shaking) and two fixation methods (glutaraldehyde and ethanol).

In vitro dialyzability of essential minerals from white and whole grain pasta.

The aim of the present investigation was to study the in vitro mineral dialyzability of pasta made with white and whole-grain flours obtained from two genotypes (Klein Guerrero and Baguette Premium 11) with different mineral contents. Pasta samples were made from white flour (FP), and whole grain flour from cyclonic mill (WFAP) and blade mill (WFBP). Mineral content and in vitro digestion were determined on all samples to study starch variation and mineral dialyzability.

Medium shapes the microbial community of water filters with implications for effluent quality.

Little is known about the forces that determine the assembly of diverse bacterial communities inhabiting drinking water treatment filters and how this affects drinking water quality. Two contrasting ecological theories can help to understand how natural microbial communities assemble; niche theory and neutral theory, where environmental deterministic factors or stochastic factors predominate respectively. This study investigates the development of the microbial community on two common contrasting filter materials (quartz sand and granular activated carbon-GAC), to elucidate the main factors governing their assembly, through the evaluation of environmental (i.

Novel FOXA2 mutation causes Hyperinsulinism, Hypopituitarism with Craniofacial and Endoderm-derived organ abnormalities.

Congenital hypopituitarism (CH) is characterized by the deficiency of one or more pituitary hormones and can present alone or in association with complex disorders. Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a disorder of unregulated insulin secretion despite hypoglycaemia that can occur in isolation or as part of a wider syndrome. Molecular diagnosis is unknown in many cases of CH and CHI.

Organic Carbon Amendments for Enhanced Biological Attenuation of Trace Organic Contaminants in Biochar-Amended Stormwater Biofilters.

This study sought to evaluate how dissolved organic carbon (DOC) affects attenuation of trace organic contaminants (TOrCs) in biochar-amended stormwater biofilters. It was hypothesized that (1) DOC-augmented runoff would demonstrate enhanced TOrC biodegradation and (2) biochar-amended sand bearing DOC-cultivated biofilms would achieve enhanced TOrC attenuation due to sorptive retention and biodegradation. Microcosm and column experiments were conducted utilizing actual runoff, DOC from straw and compost, and a suite of TOrCs.

A study on fibre addition to gluten free bread: its effects on bread quality and in vitro digestibility.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of fibre addition on gluten-free (GF) dough properties and bread technological quality, and on protein and starch in vitro digestibility. Soluble (Inulin, In) and insoluble fibres (oat fibre, OF, and type IV resistant starch, RSIV) were used at 5 and 10% substitution levels. Dough firmness increased when insoluble fibres were added, and decreased when In was used.

Differences in body condition of gilts that are maintained from mating to the end of gestation affect mammary development.

The goal of this project was to determine if different body conditions in late gestation that are due to varying body conditions at mating affect mammary development and mammary gene expression of gilts. Gilts that were fed ad libitum in the growing period were selected based on their backfat depths to form 3 groups at mating, namely, low backfat (LBF; 12-15 mm; = 14), medium backfat (MBF; 17-19 mm; = 15), and high backfat (HBF; 22-26 mm; = 16). During gestation, LBF, MBF, and HBF gilts were fed approximately 1.

Body condition of gilts at the end of gestation affects their mammary development.

The impact of body condition at 110 d of gestation on mammary gland development, mammary gene expression, and hormonal and metabolite status of gilts was studied. Thirty-nine gilts were equally divided into 3 groups based on their backfat thickness at the end of gestation: 1) low backfat (LBF; 12-15 mm), 2) medium backfat (MBF; 17-19 mm), or 3) high backfat (HBF; 21-26 mm). Gilts had similar BW (138.

Evaluation of inflammatory biomarkers associated with oxidative stress and histological assessment of magnetic therapy on experimental myopathy in rats.

The effect of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, also called magnetic therapy, upon inflammatory biomarkers associated with oxidative stress plasma fibrinogen, nitric oxide (NO), L-citrulline, carbonyl groups, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was evaluated through histological assessment, in rats with experimental myopathy. The groups studied were: (A) control (intact rats that received PEMF sham exposures); (B) rats with myopathy and sacrificed 24 h later; (C) rats with myopathy; (D) rats with myopathy and treated with PEMF; and (E) intact rats treated with PEMF. Groups A, C, D, and E were sacrificed 8 days later.

Low level laser therapy on experimental myopathy.

Purpose: The aim of the present work was to study the effect of Helium-Neon (HeNe) and Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) laser upon nitric oxide (NO) plasma levels, an inflammatory biomarker associated with oxidative stress, in rats with experimental myopathy. These were evaluated through histological assessment.

Materials And Methods: The groups studied were: (A) control (intact rats that received LLLT sham exposures), (B) rats with myopathy and sacrificed at 24 h later, (C) rats with myopathy and sacrificed 8 days later, (D) rats with myopathy and treated with HeNe laser, (E) rats with myopathy and treated with GaAs laser, (F) intact rats treated with HeNe laser and (G) intact rats treated with GaAs laser.

cPLA2 regulates the expression of type I interferons and intracellular immunity to Chlamydia trachomatis.

Infection with the obligate bacterial intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis leads to the sustained activation of the small GTPase RAS and many of its downstream signaling components. In particular, the mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK and the calcium-dependent phospholipase cPLA(2) are activated and are important for the onset of inflammatory responses. In this study we tested if activation of ERK and cPLA(2) occurred as a result of RAS signaling during infection and determined the relative contribution of these signaling components to chlamydial replication and survival.

Dietary genistein stimulates mammary hyperplasia in gilts.

The possible role of the phytoestrogen genistein on prepubertal development of mammary glands, hormonal status and bone resorption was investigated in gilts. Forty-five gilts were fed a control diet containing soya (CTLS, n = 15), a control diet without soya (CTL0, n = 15) or the CTLS diet supplemented with 2.3 g of genistein daily (GEN, n = 15) from 90 days of age until slaughter (day 183 ± 1).

Circulating haemopoietic and endothelial progenitor cells are decreased in COPD.

Circulating CD34+ cells are haemopoietic progenitors that may play a role in tissue repair. No data are available on circulating progenitors in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Circulating CD34+ cells were studied in 18 patients with moderate-to-severe COPD (age: mean+/-sd 68+/-8 yrs; forced expiratory volume in one second: 48+/-12% predicted) and 12 controls, at rest and after endurance exercise.

Impacts of dietary protein level and feed restriction during prepuberty on mammogenesis in gilts.

The possible roles of dietary protein level and feed restriction in regulating mammary development of prepubertal gilts were investigated. Cross-bred gilts were fed a commercial diet until 90 d of age and then divided into four nutritional regimens based on two pelleted diets (as-fed basis): a high-protein diet (HP = 13.8 MJ of ME, 1.

New segmented copolymers containing poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and etheramide segments for the controlled release of bioactive compounds.

Segmented poly(ether-ester-amide)s (PEEAs) derived from poly(epsilon-caprolactone) oligomers, sebacoyl chloride, hydrophilic diamide-diamines based on short sequences of ethylenoxy groups and containing amino acids, were used to produce matrix systems intended for the delivery of metronidazole in the periodontal pocket. PEEAs are soluble in chloroform and insoluble in water and show M(n) values in the range 8.5-18.

c-erbB-2 and episialin challenge host immune response by HLA class I expression in human non-small-cell lung cancer.

The role of major histocompatibility complex expression in cancer prognosis and pathogenesis is contradictory. The aim of the current study was to compare the expression of HLA class I molecules and of oncoproteins that may be sources of peptides presented by HLA class I antigens in non-small-cell lung cancer. For this purpose, the expression of HLA class I antigen and TAP-1 molecule (a transporter in the antigen-processing 1 transport protein) were studied with epidermal growth factor, receptor; c-erbB-2; episialin; wild-type and mutant p53; bcl-2 oncoprotein expression; and angiogenic factor expression (vascular endothelial growth factor and thymidine phosphorylase).

Asthma controller therapy: role of antileukotrienes, a new therapeutic class.

Asthma is a chronic disease and should be treated with both controller and reliever drugs. Asthma controller therapy is not used sufficiently widely, probably due to low compliance with inhaled drugs, lack of response in some patients to low-medium doses of inhaled steroids and possible adverse events. This review analyses a new class of antiasthmatic drugs, leukotriene receptor antagonists (antileukotrienes).