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Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs) are efficient soluble intracellular sensors that activate defense mechanisms against pathogens. In teleost fish, the involvement of NLRs in the immune response is not well understood. However, recent work has evidenced the expression of different NLRs in response to some pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). In the present work, the cDNA sequence encoding three new NOD-like receptors were identified in Oncorhynchus mykiss , namely OmNLRC3, OmNLRC5 and OmNLRX1. Results showed that their sequences coded for proteins of 1135, 836 and 1010 amino acids, respectively. The deduced protein sequences of all receptors showed characteristic domains of this receptor family, such as leucine rich repeats and NACHT domain. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a high degree of identity with other NOD-like receptors and they are clustered into different families. Transcript expression analysis indicated that OmNLRs are constitutively expressed in liver, spleen, intestine, gill, skin and brain. OmNLR expression was upregulated in kidney and gills from rainbow trout in response to LPS. In order to give new insights into the function of these new NLR members, an in vitro model of immune stimulation was established using the rainbow trout cell line RTgill-W1. Expression analysis revealed that RTgill-W1 overexpressed proinflammatory cytokines in response to LPS and poly I:C alongside with a differential overexpression of OmNLRC3, OmNLRC5 and OmNLRX1. The expression of OmNLRC5 was further verified at the protein level by immunofluorescence. Finally, the effect of the overexpressed cytokines on the OmNLR expression by RTgill-W1 cells was assessed, suggesting a regulatory mechanism on OmNLRC3 expression. Overall, results suggest that O. mykiss NOD-like receptors could play a key role in the defense mechanisms of teleost through PAMP recognition. Future studies will focus on gills which could be related with a key sensor mucosal system in one of the most environmentally fish exposed tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming is expected to enhance radial tree growth at alpine treeline sites worldwide. We developed a well-replicated tree-ring chronology from Nothofagus pumilio near treeline in a high precipitation climate on Choshuenco Volcano (40°S) in Chile to examine: (a) variation in tree radial growth in relation to interannual climatic variability; and (b) relationships of radial growth to variability in El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Antarctic Oscillation (AAO) at interannual and decadal time scales. A tree-ring chronology based on 99 tree-ring series from 80 N. pumilio trees near treeline showed a high series intercorrelation (0.48) indicating a strong common environmental signal. Radial growth is negatively correlated with precipitation in late spring (November–December). Temperature and tree growth are positively correlated during late spring and early summer (November–January). Interannual variability in both seasonal climate and in tree growth is strongly teleconnected to ENSO and AAO variability. Radial growth of N. pumilio in this humid high-elevation forest does not show a positive trend over the past half century as predicted from global treeline theory and broadscale warming in the Patagonian-Andean region. Instead, tree growth increased sharply from the 1960s to a peak in the early 1980s but subsequently declined for c. 30 years to its lowest level in >100 years. The shift to higher radial growth after c. 1976 coincides with a shift towards warmer sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific which in turn are associated with warmer growing season temperatures. The decline in tree growth since the mid-1990s is coincident with the increasingly positive phase of the AAO and high spring precipitation periods associated with El Niño conditions. The recent shift towards reduced growth of N. pumilio at this humid high-elevation site coincident with rising AAO mirrors the reduced tree growth beginning in the 1960s for trees growing in relatively xeric, lower elevation sites throughout the Patagonian-Andean region. The current study indicates that N. pumilio growth response in humid high-elevation environments to recent broad-scale warming has been non-linear, and that AAO and ENSO are key climatic forcings of tree growth variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We report an antibody against hepcidin mature peptide from rainbow trout. [•] The antibody detect the prepropeptide in rainbow trout liver. [•] The hepcidin prepropeptide was induced by iron overloading and LPS. [•] The mature peptide was identifying by mass spectrometry analyses. [•] Hepcidin could be a molecular marker with application in aquaculture and fish health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

α-Enolase is an enzyme of the glycolytic pathway that has also been involved in vertebrate inflammatory processes through its interaction with plasminogen. However, its participation in the immune response of lower vertebrates during early life development is unknown. Opportunistic pathogens in salmon farming are the principal cause of mortality in the fry stage. For that reason, molecular indicators of their immunological status are required to ensure the success of the large-scale cultivation. Thus, the objective of this work was to analyze if ENO-1 is involved in the immune response of rainbow trout fry. For this purpose, the coding sequence of trout ENO-1 was characterized, identifying the plasminogen-binding domain that has been described for homologs of this enzyme in higher vertebrates. A peptide-epitope of α-enolase was used for producing mice antiserum. The specificity of polyclonal antibodies was confirmed by dot blot, ELISA and Western blot. Then, the antiserum was used to evaluate α-enolase expression in fry between 152 and 264 degree-days post-hatching after 2, 8, and 12 h of challenge with lipopolysaccharide from Pseudomona auroginosa. The expression of α-enolase at both transcriptional (RT-qPCR) and protein (ELISA) levels was significantly increased after 8 h post-challenge with lipopolysaccharide. These results were confirmed by proteomic analysis by 2D-difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE). This work provides the first evidence of the involvement of α-enolase in the early immune response of salmonids. Future research will be required to understand the possible interaction of α-enolase with plasminogen in cells and tissues of the salmonid immune system. • The putative plasminogen-binding motif was identified in trout ENO-1. • Specific mouse antisera against ENO-1 of trout was characterized. • Trout ENO-1 was up-regulated at 8 h in response to LPS. • 2D-DIGE analysis confirmed the ENO-1 increasing in trout fry stimulated with LPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste Tyres (WT) are a significant fraction of industrial waste and a source of environmental hazards with limited valorisation. To reduce this problem, currently there is a growing interest in valuing the WT through pyrolysis to obtain multifunctional liquids to improve the rheological and self-healing properties of aged binders. This research provides a comprehensive study on using WT mixtures as precursors for asphalt rejuvenators by means of pyrolysis and distillation processes. To this end, WT polymeric fractions from light (WT-L) and mining trucks (WT-M) were used as feedstock and characterised for compositional and thermal properties. Additionally, micropyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) was used to identify the major products in pyrolysis vapours, to elucidate the reaction maps describing thermal degradation of WTs and to predict the feasible reaction conditions. The pyrolysis liquids were produced after a screening of reaction conditions and subjected to distillation, following a response surface model to produce an optimised pyro-rejuvenator. The results showed that the pyrolytic rejuvenator obtained through pyrolysis at 465 °C and distillation cutting at 160–200 °C is mainly composed of hydrocarbons and aromatic substances (95.5%), with a significant proportion of limonene (33.71%). Furthermore, the pyrolytic rejuvenator exhibited highly desirable physical properties in the context of its application and excellent oxidative stability (85.7%). Otherwise, it was determined that bitumen mixtures with 3%–6% doses of pyro-rejuvenator improved the viscosity, softening point, and penetration of aged binders, restoring their physical properties to the virgin state. In conclusion, pyro-rejuvenators can be successfully used as a promising solution to produce more durable and sustainable pavements with improved rheological and healing properties. [Display omitted] • Waste tyres rubber composition was studied through a TGA-kinetic approach. • Py-GC/MS demonstrated a synergistic effect between natural rubber and additives. • Optimal rejuvenator's composition is controlled by coupling pyrolysis with distillation. • Pyro-rejuvenator dosages of 3%–6% are optimal for healing aged asphalts. • Pyro-rejuvenator restores the aged asphalt from PAV to its virgin state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inter-Organizational Information Systems (IOISs) for seaport logistics facilitate monitoring operations, the exchange of information with stakeholders, and meeting regulations of foreign trade. However, seaport contexts entail complexities in terms of stakeholder involvement and business processes that must be considered thoroughly toward the successful adoption of IOISs. This research seeks to identify factors influencing the successful adoption of IOISs in seaports. It follows a grounded theory approach relying on semi-structured interviews and expert opinions to identify facilitating conditions for the adoption of IOISs. Survey research was conducted in order to investigate the appraisal of different ports in Latin America and the Caribbean region regarding the diverse conditions. The results obtained were analyzed descriptively and through a Principal Components Analysis. The latter was conducted in order to discern relevant dimensions influencing the adoption of IOISs in seaports. The results of the study allow deriving managerial insights and practical recommendations to support technological plans at ports and guide the decision-making regarding the digitalization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the singleton, term gestation, and live birth rate per cycle initiated in our IVF program during a 1-year period. Design: Retrospective study of all first IVF cycles performed in the year 2002, with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), with day 2/3 embryo transfer and using native or donated oocytes. Setting: Instituto Valenciano de Infetilidad (IVI), Valencia, Spain. Patient(s): Of 3,158 IVF cycles initially considered, 165 were excluded because of embryo freezing, follow-up loss, or embryo reduction. Of the remaining cycles, only 1,836 were first cycles with day 2/3 embryo transfer; of these, native oocytes were employed in 1,095 and donated oocytes in 741. Intervention(s): No patient underwent any additional procedure or intervention. Main Outcome Measure(s): The singleton, term gestation, and live birth rate per cycle initiated was used as a primary outcome measure. Results were analyzed according to the origin of the oocytes (native vs. donated) and the woman''s age (<37 and ?37 years old). Result(s): The ectopic pregnancy rate was higher in the native oocyte group. The singleton, term gestation, and live birth rate per cycle initiated was similar in native and donated oocyte groups (15.3% vs. 13.4%). In the native oocyte group, patients <37 years old showed a significantly better outcome. The singleton, term gestation, and live birth rate per cycle initiated was 16.7% and 10.8% in younger and older women, respectively. Conclusion(s): The singleton, term gestation, and live birth rate per cycle initiated constitutes an essential parameter for determining the real possibility of a healthy baby for a specific assisted reproduction technology (ART). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]