Characterization of Beef Coming from Different European Countries through Stable Isotope (H, C, N, and S) Ratio Analysis.

The need to guarantee the geographical origin of food samples has become imperative in recent years due to the increasing amount of food fraud. Stable isotope ratio analysis permits the characterization and origin control of foodstuffs, thanks to its capability to discriminate between products having different geographical origins and derived from different production systems. The Framework 6 EU-project "TRACE" generated hydrogen (H/H), carbon (C/C), nitrogen (N/N), and sulphur (S/S) isotope ratio data from 227 authentic beef samples.

The Cultivation Modality and Barrier Maturity Modulate the Toxicity of Industrial Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Nasal, Buccal, Bronchial, and Alveolar Mucosa Cell-Derived Barrier Models.

As common industrial by-products, airborne engineered nanomaterials are considered important environmental toxins to monitor due to their potential health risks to humans and animals. The main uptake routes of airborne nanoparticles are nasal and/or oral inhalation, which are known to enable the transfer of nanomaterials into the bloodstream resulting in the rapid distribution throughout the human body. Consequently, mucosal barriers present in the nose, buccal, and lung have been identified and intensively studied as the key tissue barrier to nanoparticle translocation.

The impact of plasmonic electrodes on the photocarrier extraction of inverted organic bulk heterojunction solar cells.

Unlabelled: Nano-patterning the semiconducting photoactive layer/back electrode interface of organic photovoltaic devices is a widely accepted approach to enhance the power conversion efficiency through the exploitation of numerous photonic and plasmonic effects. Yet, nano-patterning the semiconductor/metal interface leads to intertwined effects that impact the optical as well as the electrical characteristic of solar cells. In this work we aim to disentangle the optical and electrical effects of a nano-structured semiconductor/metal interface on the device performance.

Developing a Questionnaire on Knowledge, Perceptions and Application of Vascular-Aging Measurements.

Background: Vascular age (VA) is independent and chronological age for assessing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, tools for the implementation of VA are currently lacking. We aimed to develop a questionnaire to assess the current knowledge gaps related to VA and barriers to its implementation in routine practice.

Interface Engineering of "Clickable" Organic Electrochemical Transistors toward Biosensing Devices.

"Clickable" organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) allow the reliable and straightforward functionalization of electronic devices through the well-known click chemistry toolbox. In this work, we study various aspects of the click chemistry-based interface engineering of "clickable" OECTs. First, different channel architectures are investigated, showing that PEDOT-N films can properly work as a channel of the transistors.

MAPkinases regulate secondary metabolism, sexual development and light dependent cellulase regulation in Trichoderma reesei.

The filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei is a prolific producer of plant cell wall degrading enzymes, which are regulated in response to diverse environmental signals for optimal adaptation, but also produces a wide array of secondary metabolites. Available carbon source and light are the strongest cues currently known to impact secreted enzyme levels and an interplay with regulation of secondary metabolism became increasingly obvious in recent years. While cellulase regulation is already known to be modulated by different mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, the relevance of the light signal, which is transmitted by this pathway in other fungi as well, is still unknown in T.

Targeting epigenetic features in clear cell sarcomas based on patient-derived cell lines.

Background: Clear cell sarcomas (CCSs) are translocated aggressive malignancies, most commonly affecting young adults with a high incidence of metastases and a poor prognosis. Research into the disease is more feasible when adequate models are available. By establishing CCS cell lines from a primary and metastatic lesion and isolating healthy fibroblasts from the same patient, the in vivo process is accurately reflected and aspects of clinical multistep carcinogenesis recapitulated.

Rational Optimization of Cathode Composites for Sulfide-Based All-Solid-State Batteries.

All-solid-state lithium-ion batteries with argyrodite solid electrolytes have been developed to attain high conductivities of 10 S cm in studies aiming at fast ionic conductivity of electrolytes. However, no matter how high the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte, the design of the cathode composite is often the bottleneck for high performance. Thus, optimization of the composite cathode formulation is of utmost importance.

Antibody Profiling and In Silico Functional Analysis of Differentially Reactive Antibody Signatures of Glioblastomas and Meningiomas.

Studies on tumor-associated antigens in brain tumors are sparse. There is scope for enhancing our understanding of molecular pathology, in order to improve on existing forms, and discover new forms, of treatment, which could be particularly relevant to immuno-oncological strategies. To elucidate immunological differences, and to provide another level of biological information, we performed antibody profiling, based on a high-density protein array (containing 8173 human transcripts), using IgG isolated from the sera of = 12 preoperative and = 16 postoperative glioblastomas, = 26 preoperative and = 29 postoperative meningiomas, and = 27 healthy, cancer-free controls.

The need for an integrated multi-OMICs approach in microbiome science in the food system.

Microbiome science as an interdisciplinary research field has evolved rapidly over the past two decades, becoming a popular topic not only in the scientific community and among the general public, but also in the food industry due to the growing demand for microbiome-based technologies that provide added-value solutions. Microbiome research has expanded in the context of food systems, strongly driven by methodological advances in different -omics fields that leverage our understanding of microbial diversity and function. However, managing and integrating different complex -omics layers are still challenging.

"Clickable" Organic Electrochemical Transistors.

Interfacing the surface of an organic semiconductor with biological elements is a central quest when it comes to the development of efficient organic bioelectronic devices. Here, we present the first example of "clickable" organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). The synthesis and characterization of an azide-derivatized EDOT monomer (azidomethyl-EDOT, EDOT-N) are reported, as well as its deposition on Au-interdigitated electrodes through electropolymerization to yield PEDOT-N-OECTs.

Synthesis, radiolabeling, and preclinical in vivo evaluation of Ga-radiolabelled nanodiamonds.

Purpose: Nanodiamonds (NDs) represent a new class of nanoparticles and have gained increasing interest in medical applications. Modifying the surface coating by attaching binding ligands or imaging probes can transform NDs into multi-modal targeting probes. This study evaluated the biokinetics and biodistribution of Ga-radiolabelled NDs in a xenograft model.

Revisiting the concept of constant tissue conductivities for volume estimation in dialysis patients using bioimpedance spectroscopy.

Rationale: Current estimation of body fluid volumes in hemodialysis patients using bioimpedance analysis assumes constant specific electrical characteristics of biological tissues despite a large variation in plasma Na concentrations [Na], ranging from 130 to 150 mmol/L. Here, we examined the potential effect of variable [Na] on bioimpedance-derived volume overload.

Method: Volumes were calculated from published whole-body extra- and intracellular resistance data and relationships using either "standard" or "revised" specific electrical characteristics modeled as functions of [Na].

Real-Time Gamma Radioactive Source Localization by Data Fusion of 3D-LiDAR Terrain Scan and Radiation Data from Semi-Autonomous UAV Flights.

Rapid and accurate reconnaissance in the event of radiological and nuclear (RN) incidents or attacks is vital to launch an appropriate response. This need is made stronger by the increasing threat of RN attacks on soft targets and critical infrastructure in densely populated areas. In such an event, even small radioactive sources can cause major disruption to the general population.

Rolling Circle Amplification Tailored for Plasmonic Biosensors: From Ensemble to Single-Molecule Detection.

We report on the tailoring of rolling circle amplification (RCA) for affinity biosensors relying on the optical probing of their surface with confined surface plasmon field. Affinity capture of the target analyte at the metallic sensor surface (, by using immunoassays) is followed by the RCA step for subsequent readout based on increased refractive index (surface plasmon resonance, SPR) or RCA-incorporated high number of fluorophores (in surface plasmon-enhanced fluorescence, PEF). By combining SPR and PEF methods, this work investigates the impact of the conformation of long RCA-generated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) chains to the plasmonic sensor response enhancement.

Soil composition and rootstock genotype drive the root associated microbial communities in young grapevines.

Soil microbiota plays a significant role in plant development and health and appears to be a major component of certain forms of grapevine decline. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the impact of the microbiological quality of the soil and grapevine rootstock genotype on the root microbial community and development of young plants. Two rootstocks heterografted with the same scion were grown in two vineyard soils differing in microbial composition and activities.

ImmUniverse Consortium: Multi-omics integrative approach in personalized medicine for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are a heterogeneous group of debilitating, multifactorial and unrelated conditions featured by a dysregulated immune response leading to destructive chronic inflammation. The immune dysregulation can affect various organ systems: gut (e.g.

External communication of automated shuttles: Results, experiences, and lessons learned from three European long-term research projects.

Automated shuttles are already seeing deployment in many places across the world and have the potential to transform public mobility to be safer and more accessible. During the current transition phase from fully manual vehicles toward higher degrees of automation and resulting mixed traffic, there is a heightened need for additional communication or external indicators to comprehend automated vehicle actions for other road users. In this work, we present and discuss the results from seven studies (three preparatory and four main studies) conducted in three European countries aimed at investigating and providing a variety of such external communication solutions to facilitate the exchange of information between automated shuttles and other motorized and non-motorized road users.

Simulated global warming affects endophytic bacterial and fungal communities of Antarctic pearlwort leaves and some bacterial isolates support plant growth at low temperatures.

Antarctica is one of the most stressful environments for plant life and the Antarctic pearlwort (Colobanthus quitensis) is adapted to the hostile conditions. Plant-associated microorganisms can contribute to plant survival in cold environments, but scarce information is available on the taxonomic structure and functional roles of C. quitensis-associated microbial communities.

The European Commission's Green Deal is an opportunity to rethink harmful practices of research and innovation policy.

The European Union's Green Deal and associated policies, aspiring to long-term environmental sustainability, now require economic activities to 'do no significant harm' to EU environmental objectives. The way the European Commission is enacting the do no significant harm principle relies on quantitative tools that try to identify harm and adjudicate its significance. A reliance on established technical approaches to assessing such questions ignores the high levels of imprecision, ambiguity, and uncertainty-levels often in flux-characterizing the social contexts in which harms emerge.

A Novel Background Modeling Algorithm for Hyperspectral Ground-Based Surveillance and Through-Foliage Detection.

Foliage penetration is an unsolved important part of border surveillance of remote areas between regular border crossing points. Detecting penetrating objects (e.g.

Dynamics of alkannin/shikonin biosynthesis in response to jasmonate and salicylic acid in Lithospermum officinale.

Alkannin/shikonin and their derivatives are specialised metabolites of high pharmaceutical and ecological importance exclusively produced in the periderm of members of the plant family Boraginaceae. Previous studies have shown that their biosynthesis is induced in response to methyl jasmonate but not salicylic acid, two phytohormones that play important roles in plant defence. However, mechanistic understanding of induction and non-induction remains largely unknown.

A red wine intervention does not modify plasma trimethylamine N-oxide but is associated with broad shifts in the plasma metabolome and gut microbiota composition.

Background: Gut microbiota profiles are closely related to cardiovascular diseases through mechanisms that include the reported deleterious effects of metabolites, such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which have been studied as diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Moderate red wine (RW) consumption is reportedly cardioprotective, possibly by affecting the gut microbiota.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of RW consumption on the gut microbiota, plasma TMAO, and the plasma metabolome in men with documented coronary artery disease (CAD) using a multiomics assessment in a crossover trial.

Microbiome ethics, guiding principles for microbiome research, use and knowledge management.

The overarching biological impact of microbiomes on their hosts, and more generally their environment, reflects the co-evolution of a mutualistic symbiosis, generating fitness for both. Knowledge of microbiomes, their systemic role, interactions, and impact grows exponentially. When a research field of importance for planetary health evolves so rapidly, it is essential to consider it from an ethical holistic perspective.

The Effect of Amino-Phosphate Interactions on the Biosensing Performance of Enzymatic Graphene Field-Effect Transistors.

The interaction between polyamines and phosphate species is found in a wide range of biological and abiotic systems, yielding crucial consequences that range from the formation of supramolecular colloids to structure determination. In this work, the occurrence of phosphate-amino interactions is evidenced from changes in the electronic response of graphene field effect transistors (gFETs). First, the surface of the transistors is modified with poly(allylamine), and the effect of phosphate binding on the transfer characteristics is interpreted in terms of its impact on the surface charge density.