HERV-K Modulates the Immune Response in ALS Patients

Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-K env-su glycoprotein has been documented in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where HERV-K env-su 19–37 antibody levels significantly correlated with clinical measures of disease severity. Herein, we investigated further the humoral and cell-mediated immune response against specific antigenic peptides derived from HERV-K in ALS. HERV-K env glycoprotein expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) membrane and cytokines and chemokines after stimulation with HERV-K env 19–37 and HERV-K env 109–126 were quantified in patients and healthy controls (HCs). HERV-K env glycoprotein was more expressed in B cells and NK cells of ALS patients compared to HCs, whereas HERV-K env transcripts were similar in ALS and HCs. In ALS patients, specific stimulation with HERV-K env 109–126 peptide showed a higher expression of IL-6 by CD19/B cells. Both peptides, however, were able to induce a great production of IFN-γ by stimulation CD19/B cells, and yielded a higher expression of MIP-1α and a lower expression of MCP-1. HERV-K env 19–37 peptide induced a great production of TNF-α in CD8/T cells. In conclusion, we observed the ability of HERV-K to modulate the immune system, generating mediators mainly involved in proinflammatory response.

Revalorization of Almond By-Products for the Design of Novel Functional Foods: An Updated Review

The search for waste minimization and the valorization of by-products are key to good management and improved sustainability in the food industry. The great production of almonds, based on their high nutritional value as food, especially almond kernels, generates tons of waste yearly. The remaining parts (skin, shell, hulls, etc.) are still little explored, even though they have been used as fuel by burning or as livestock feed. The interest in these by-products has been increasing, as they possess beneficial properties, caused by the presence of different bioactive compounds, and can be used as promising sources of new ingredients for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, the use of almond by-products is being increasingly applied for the fortification of already-existing food products, but there are some limitations, including the presence of allergens and mycotoxins that harden their applicability. This review focuses on the extraction technologies applied to the valorization of almond by-products for the development of new value-added products that would contribute to the reduction of environmental impact and an improvement in the sustainability and competitiveness of the almond industry.

At This Theatre Next Week!:

Resumen: En este artículo se muestra la estrecha relación que en los años 30 y 40 del siglo XX se estableció entre el cómic y el serial cinematográfico. Se explora la importancia del cómic tanto a nivel cuantitativo, con la gran producción de películas seriales basadas en cómics, como cualitativo, con la interrelación que se produjo a nivel narrativo entre el modelo de serialidad infinita de las tiras de prensa y el modelo narrativo de los seriales. Se produjo una relación intermedial a nivel industrial que fue fundamental a la hora del desarrollo de los seriales y que tiene muchos paralelismos con el modelo de franquicias que domina el panorama audiovisual en nuestros días. Abstract: This paper shows the close relationship that was established between the comic and the movie serials in the 1930s and 1940s. The importance of comics is explored both quantitatively, with the great production of serial films based on comics, and qualitatively with the interrelation that occurred at a narrative level between the open ended narrative model of the comic strips and the narrative model of the serials. There was an intermedia relationship at the industrial level that was essential when it came to developing the serials and that has many parallels with the franchise model that dominates the audiovisual scene today.

Design of a serious game for children to raise awareness on plastic pollution and promoting pro-environmental behaviors

The massive presence of plastic in the oceans, both in form of large debris and micro-plastic, is raising global concern due to its serious effects on the marine environment and fauna, causing loss of biodiversity and potentially threatening human health. Even though this is due to poor waste management, the great production and consumption of single-use plastic is a significant exacerbating factor. Despite policies and bans can be effective measures, there is also the need to raise consumers' awareness, so they can make more sustainable choices when purchasing, using and, dismissing products. In particular, educating young citizens and encouraging them to engage in pro-environmental behaviors is a fundamental task to reach this goal. In this work, we present Contact from the future, a digital game on plastic pollution for children, to create awareness and stimulate pro-environmental behaviors, discussing the definition of objectives and requirements, as well as the design and development of the application.

ASPECTS CONCERNING PEANUTS CROPS ON SANDY SOILS IN SOUTHERN OLTENIA

"For the capitalization of the climate and soil conditions for the sandy soil region in Southern Oltenia by cultivating peanuts it is necessary to use varieties with large production abilities and proper technology for the crops. In view of its cultivation on south Oltenia sandy soils, there were carried out in the period 2004-2006, at the Plants Crops Research and Development Station on Sandy Soils Dabuleni, experiments have been set regarding aspects such as: the optimal seeding period, the recommendation varieties with high yield potential and balanced composition. The research was conducted under irrigation conditions, in a three-year rotation of wheat, peanut, maize. Along with erect growth type varieties, known for their short vegetation period, rising and creeping growth type varieties can also be used; these varieties have a great production potential in our country`s conditions. Establishing the proper time for seeding is espe since sandy soils are heating quickly but are also cooling quickly, the best seeding time is between the end of April- the beginning of May, depending on the date when the seeding depth has a steady temperature, minimal required for the seed to germinate."

Economic injury level for the flower thrips Frankliniella cf. gardeniae Moulton (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in mango

Mango is a tropical fruit with great production and market worldwide. In Colombia, it is an important crop with high export potential. There are many arthropods affecting mango production, such as thrips that feed on leaves, flowers, and small fruits, causing damage such as deformations, scars, and premature fall of fruits. This study aimed to establish the economic injury level (EIL) of Frankliniella cf. gardenia Moulton in mango (Mangifera indica L. var. yulima and var. tommy) in Guamo and San Luis (Tolima, Colombia). The methods employed included a weekly sampling of thrips in mango inflorescences during two productive periods (B-2015 and B-2016) using the structure tapping technique in a deep tray with mesh. Three preliminary thresholds per productive period were established: [B-2015: ≥10 thrips per inflorescence (TpI), ≥30 TpI, and ≥60 TpI. B-2016: ≥5 TpI, ≥10 TpI, and ≥15 TpI]. The variables density, costs, and yield were recorded. The EIL was calculated statistically using linear regressions and the final action threshold was estimated. An EIL of 11 TpI and an action threshold of 7 TpI were estimated for var. tommy in Guamo in the second semester of 2016. There was a risk of losing 220 kg ha-1 for each increase in insect unit in var. tommy. Therefore, thrips in mango behaved as an occasional pest, requiring control in var. tommy in Guamo, when the crop is flowering, and the population exceeds the action threshold of 7 TpI.

Troya (Wolfgang Petersen, 2004) como fenómeno turístico y gran producción en Cabo San Lucas

The cinema is a means of communication that generates the construction of imagination through an emotional impact (Domínguez López, 2015). We define enjoyment trough the theoretical perspectives of uses and gratification Lozano, (2007); (Jensen and Rosengren, 1990) and entertainment (Bryant and Zillmann, 1996); In that sense, it is pertinent to ask the following: What do people do with such media? Specifically, Wich filming conditions of a great production film genre (Bergan, 2011) like Troya (Wolfgang Petersen, 2004) can do on the promotion of Cabo San Lucas? The objective of this research is to reflect from a holistic approach Bryant and Zillmann (1996); (Martin, 2003); (Goliot-Lété and Vanoye, 2005), Domínguez (2015); the following aspects: 1) The use of cinema to promote a destination; 2) Collective identification values; and 3) The traveler-spectator phenomenon regarding the characteristics of this place and its history reflected on the screen from one of the main locations in Cabo San Lucas.

Design and Production of Bispecific Antibodies

With the current biotherapeutic market dominated by antibody molecules, bispecific antibodies represent a key component of the next-generation of antibody therapy. Bispecific antibodies can target two different antigens at the same time, such as simultaneously binding tumor cell receptors and recruiting cytotoxic immune cells. Structural diversity has been fast-growing in the bispecific antibody field, creating a plethora of novel bispecific antibody scaffolds, which provide great functional variety. Two common formats of bispecific antibodies on the market are the single-chain variable fragment (scFv)-based (no Fc fragment) antibody and the full-length IgG-like asymmetric antibody. Unlike the conventional monoclonal antibodies, great production challenges with respect to the quantity, quality, and stability of bispecific antibodies have hampered their wider clinical application and acceptance. In this review, we focus on these two major bispecific types and describe recent advances in the design, production, and quality of these molecules, which will enable this important class of biologics to reach their therapeutic potential.

Typology in the fertility of seven Tall coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) populations using artificial pollination traits in field genebank

This study investigates the fertility typology for seven Tall coconut accessions using artificial pollination characters. Ten traits describing fertility were considered for characterizing three groups of coconut individuals per accession. Ten males parental, twenty to forty female parental, and ten progenies were randomly explored per coconut accession. Except for the rate of seeds germination, the outcomes revealed the usefulness of the characters assessed for the discrimination of the accessions studied. The typology of the fertility of the accessions studied is independent of the origins and highlighted two main groups. The first group gathers Laccadive Common Tall (LCT) and West African Tall (WAT and WAT6) accessions including the most fertile male parents and the females showing great production of seed nuts. From this group, the progenies set out a lack of vigour. The second group is constituted of Panama Tall (PNT01 and PNT02), Solomon Island Tall (SIT) and Gazelle Peninsula Tall (GPT) accessions with characters opposite to the previous ones. The investigations of the Tall coconut accessions fertility are fundamental to address the low size of genitors and progenies for respective field genebank regeneration and representative field replanting.

Design, Construction, and Analysis of a Passive Indirect Solar Dryer With Chimney

The growing demand for alternative technologies, of clean and sustainable nature, has fostered the development and improvement of equipment that uses solar energy for the dehydration of seeds and fruits. Such equipment has been used worldwide for hundreds of years; however, it remains uncommon in Serra Gaúcha, a region of great production of grapes and apples for natura consumption in the state of Rio Grande do Sul—Brazil. In order to investigate the economic and technical viability of solar dryers in the Serra Gaúcha, this work has as target the design, simulation, construction, and experimental analysis of an Indirect Passive Solar Dryer with Chimney. The prototype, divided into three parts: solar collector, dehydration chamber, and chimney, was built prioritizing materials of low cost, but that did not compromise its performance. The device was submitted to experiments, which observed: solar collector behavior very close to the simulated one; obtaining a coefficient of performance of 87% in the equipment; satisfactory rise in temperature at the collector outlet comparing to its inlet; and dehydration of apples with a reduction of 89% in mass with 32.78 MJ of energy delivered to the system. The prototype payback period was estimated in two years.