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Background: The main objective was to assess the performance of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for early prediction of delayed neurological impairment and cerebral contusion worsening in patients with mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods: Over a 3-year period, every adult patient triaged to our level 1 trauma center with brain contusion and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 10 or greater were retrospectively included. The main study outcome was the occurrence of delayed clinical deterioration, defined as a GCS < 10 and/or a secondary need for mechanical ventilation, within 5 days after TBI. The performance of NLR for prediction of delayed clinical deterioration was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results: Overall, 115 patients were included and 16 (14%) presented a delayed clinical deterioration. Overall, the NLR at ED admission was higher in patients who developed a delayed clinical deterioration (18 [12-29] vs 8 [5-13], p = 0.0003). The area under the ROC curves for NLR at ED admission in predicting delayed clinical deterioration was 0.79 [0.65-0.93] and NLR > 15 was found to be independently associated with the occurrence of delayed clinical deterioration (adjusted OR = 10.1 [95%CI: 2.3-45.6]).Conclusion: The NLR at ED admission was independently associated with the occurrence of delayed clinical deterioration, although limited by a poor discriminative value by itself. Further studies are needed to test the predictive value of composite scoring systems including NLR for prevention of under-triage of patients with mild-to-moderate TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trout farming has gained a major role in France as fish demand increases and marine harvests fell short. Biotechnology is a significant factor in the effort to increase productivity of trout farms. A potentially beneficial technology is recombinant trout growth hormone (rtGH). Several scenarios are considered to assess the social benefits of rtGH and those which assume association of the technology with diversification of processed trout products offer the greatest potential. The public acceptance of genetically engineered trout will also be an important factor.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an inflammation-associated cancer arising from viral or non-viral etiologies including steatotic liver diseases (SLDs). Expansion of immunosuppressive myeloid cells is a hallmark of inflammation and cancer, but their heterogeneity in HCC is not fully resolved and might underlie immunotherapy resistance. Here, we present a high-resolution atlas of innate immune cells from patients with HCC that unravels an SLD-associated contexture characterized by influx of inflammatory and immunosuppressive myeloid cells, including a discrete population of THBS1+ regulatory myeloid (M reg) cells expressing monocyte- and neutrophil-affiliated genes. THBS1+ M reg cells expand in SLD-associated HCC, populate fibrotic lesions, and are associated with poor prognosis. THBS1+ M reg cells are CD163+ but distinguished from macrophages by high expression of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM1), which contributes to their immunosuppressive activity and promotes HCC tumor growth in vivo. Our data support myeloid subset-targeted immunotherapies to treat HCC. [Display omitted] • Atlas of hepatic innate immune cells from patients with HCC • THBS1+ M reg cells expand in SLD-associated HCC and populate fibrotic lesions • TREM1 engagement potentiates immunosuppression and HCC growth in vivo • THBS1+ M reg density and TREM1 expression associate with HCC poor prognosis Giraud et al. characterize the innate immune landscape of HCC. They identify an immunosuppressive THBS1+ myeloid population co-expressing TREM1 and CD163 that expands in the steatotic liver disease etiology of HCC and contributes to unfavorable prognosis through TREM1. TREM1 blockade elicits an immunogenic TME and rapid tumor eradication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we summarize the current knowledge on cell diversity in the cortex and other brain regions from in vivo mouse models and in vitro models based on pluripotent stem cells. We discuss the mechanisms underlying cell proliferation and temporal progression that leads to the sequential generation of neurons dedicated to different layers of the cortex. We highlight models of corticogenesis from stem cells that recapitulate specific transcriptional and connectivity patterns from different cortical areas. We overview state-of-the art of human brain organoids modeling different brain regions, and we discuss insights into human cortical evolution from stem cells. Finally, we interrogate human brain organoid models for their competence to recapitulate the essence of human brain development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cake staling is a complex problem which has still not been fully understood. Starch polymers retrogradation, which is linked to biopolymers recrystallisation, is the most important factor affecting cake firmness in addition to water migration and fat crystallization. In this study, the effect of storage temperatures of 4 °C and 20 °C on starch retrogradation and fat recrystallization was investigated. Starch retrogradation can be tracked through changes in crystalline structure via X-rays diffraction as well as through melting of crystals via calorimetry. These techniques have been coupled to study the different phenomena occurring during staling. The results revealed that the storage of cakes at 20 °C for 25 days showed more starch polymer retrogradation and more intense fat recrystallization in the β form than at 4 °C. Consequently, the staling was delayed when a low storage temperature like 4 °C was used, which is recommended to retain high quality cakes during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The protein p27 Kip1 plays roles that extend beyond cell-cycle regulation during cerebral cortex development, such as the regulation of neuronal migration and neurite branching via signaling pathways that converge on the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. Microtubule-dependent transport is essential for the maturation of neurons and the establishment of neuronal connectivity though synapse formation and maintenance. Here, we show that p27 Kip1 controls the transport of vesicles and organelles along the axon of mice cortical projection neurons in vitro . Moreover, suppression of the p27 Kip1 ortholog, dacapo , in Drosophila melanogaster disrupts axonal transport in vivo , leading to the reduction of locomotor activity in third instar larvae and adult flies. At the molecular level, p27 Kip1 stabilizes the α-tubulin acetyltransferase 1, thereby promoting the acetylation of microtubules, a post-translational modification required for proper axonal transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noninvasive tests (NITs) of liver fibrosis have been suggested to be less accurate in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to compare the accuracy of 6 NITs between patients with or without T2DM, explain any differences, and adapt diagnostic algorithms for clinical practice accordingly. We included 1051 patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with liver biopsy, blood fibrosis tests (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Fibrosis Score, FIB4, Fibrotest, FibroMeter), vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE), and the combinatory elasto-blood test FibroMeterVCTE. The study endpoint was advanced fibrosis on liver biopsy. NIT areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were significantly lower in patients with T2DM, mostly because of a decrease in specificity. For FIB4, this decrease in specificity was only related to the higher age of patients with T2DM enrolled. For Fibrotest, FibroMeter, and FibroMeterVCTE, the decrease in specificity was related to age but also to higher alpha2-macroglobulin level, which is known to increase in T2DM. Sensitivity was unaffected by T2DM, but it masked a doubled raw number of false negatives because of the 2-fold higher prevalence of advanced fibrosis in that setting. The sequential algorithm FIB4-vibration-controlled transient elastography had 90.3% accuracy in patients without T2DM vs 79.0% in those with (P <.001). Algorithms using first-line specialized tests maintained a low rate of false negatives and false positives in T2DM. The decrease in NIT accuracy observed in T2DM is partly biased by the different characteristics of the groups studied, but also linked to T2DM itself through modification of the levels of some NIT biomarkers. Specialized tests should be used first-line to diagnose advanced liver fibrosis in T2DM. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids are well known, however their fragility is a drawback as it leads to their degradation. The objective of this study was to develop innovative assemblies, using the capacity of starch to encapsulate small molecules, for the protection of polyunsaturated fatty acids like linoleic acid and linolenic acid. These assemblies were produced by hydrothermal treatment, and by high-pressure treatment (20 min at 500 MPa at a temperature of 40 °C). They were then analyzed and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), nuclear magnetic resonance ( 13 C CP/MAS NMR) and a heating cell in XRD. The results showed that amylose–ligand complexes were formed during both treatments and two crystalline types V 6I and V 6II were obtained. The techniques used show excellent complementarities in the determination of important structural features such as crystalline type, helical conformation and nature of the inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effects of konjac glucomannan (KGM) on the gelatinization, retrogradation and complexation properties of potato and broad bean starches were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and X ray diffraction. It was established that the addition of 1% KGM in starch suspensions causes a slight decrease in the amount of available water in the system. However, this seems sufficient to disrupt the gelatinization and the retrogradation of potato and broad bean starches. In addition, the ability of amylose to interact with carvacrol is strongly affected by the presence of KGM. A rheology study showed on one hand that addition of KGM to starch decreased the gel character of the system, irrespective of the presence of carvacrol. However, carvacrol induced a strong increase of the storage modulus of starch gel for the same KGM content. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Malting produces techno-functional cereal ingredients but it is considered a time-consuming process. The assistance of ultrasound (US) appears to enhance the drying step of the green malts. In this sense, partially germinated wheat and barley were convectively dried with and without US. The obtained malts were analyzed regarding amylolytic capacity and their performance as ingredient in bread formulations. Compared to oven drying, hot air convective US-assisted system decreased drying time by intensifying drying velocity up to 56 % and 129 %, respectively. Similarly, a- and ß-amylase activities were intensified by up to 88 % and 10.5 %, respectively, when drying occurred with US. Breads formulated with US-dried malts resulted in better bread-making properties, mainly peak torque and setback values. Specific volume, crust color and pore distribution in real bread were also improved together with hardness of degassed crumb samples. Therefore, US can be used not only to intensify the conventional malting process but also to produce more efficient ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large Marine Ecosystems located around the margins of the continents provide a countless number of goods and services that sustain and fulfill human life and activities: seafood; habitats; energy sources; nutrient cycling and primary production; weather and climate regulation; coastal protection; water detoxification; sediments trapping; and cultural and economic services, among others. Of 66 Large Marine Ecosystems, ten LMEs are located along the coasts of Latin America – California Current, Gulf of California, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Central American Coastal, Caribbean Sea, Humboldt Current, Patagonian Shelf, South Brazil Shelf, East Brazil Shelf and North Brazil Shelf. Each one possesses different characteristics that make it unique and essential for local populations. Unfortunately, these Large Marine Ecosystems are threatened by several factors such as coastal population growth, pollution, overexploitation and climate change, but most of all poor governance practice. The concept of Ecosystem Based Management aims to consider ecosystems health and importance in all aspects of the recovery and sustainability of LME goods and services. This chapter introduces a general description of the Large Marine Ecosystem approach to sustainable development of coastal ocean resources, presents the concept of Ecosystem Based Management, describes some goods and services provided by Large Marine Ecosystems and draws a picture of each Latin American Large Marine Ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RHO guanosine triphosphatases are important eukaryotic regulators of cell differentiation and behavior. Plant ROP (RHO of plant) family members activate specific, incompletely characterized downstream signaling. The structurally simple land plant Physcomitrium patens is missing homologs of key animal and flowering plant RHO effectors but contains a single CRIB (CDC42/RAC interactive binding)-domain-containing RIC (ROP-interacting CRIB-containing) protein (PpRIC). Protonemal P. patens filaments elongate based on regular division and PpROP-dependent tip growth of apical initial cells, which upon stimulation by the hormone auxin differentiate caulonemal characteristics. PpRIC interacts with active PpROP1, co-localizes with this protein at the plasma membrane at the tip of apical initial cells, and accumulates in the nucleus. Remarkably, PpRIC is not required for tip growth but is targeted to the nucleus to block caulonema differentiation downstream of auxin-controlled gene expression. These observations establish functions of PpRIC in mediating crosstalk between ROP and auxin signaling, which contributes to the maintenance of apical initial cell identity. [Display omitted] • The PpROP interactor PpRIC is the only homolog of key RHO effectors in P. patens • PpRIC homologs are structurally conserved in most land plants except flowering plants • PpRIC has nuclear functions, while most flowering plant homologs modulate F-actin • PpRIC specifically blocks auxin- and high-light-induced caulonema differentiation Ntefidou et al. show that RICs, key CRIB-domain effectors of ROP (RHO of plant) GTPases, are represented by few closely related homologs in most land plants but display massive diversification in flowering plants. Whereas most flowering plant RICs modulate cytoplasmic F-actin, moss PpRIC has nuclear functions in maintaining apical initial cell identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study concerns the mixing under gas pressure of a cake batter free from baking powder. Mixing the batter under pressure has been considered as an alternative to baking powder with the aim of forcing the aeration of the batter and possibly the solubilization of gas in the liquid phase of the batter. A prototype mixer was used with air, CO 2 and N 2 applied with gauge pressures of 0.3 and 0.5 bar. CO 2 pressure of 0.3 and 0.5 bar yielded the best results in terms of specific volume of cake with 2.5 mL/g which was 89% of the specific volume of control cake with baking powders. The improvement was attributed to the solubilization of CO 2 in the liquid phase of the batter, which was evidenced by a decrease in the pH of the batter. • Mixing under CO 2 pressure was an alternative to the use of baking powder in cakes. • Vaporization of the CO 2 solubilized during mixing improved cake volume. • Increasing batter void fraction of gas did not yield any gain in cake volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch can be gelatinized during high pressure processing in the presence of water, but to a greater or lesser extent. Starch gelatinization is often accompanied by the formation of amylose complexes, in particular when a thermal treatment is used. Four different starches were considered in this study: potato, broad bean (Vicia faba), pea and tapioca. A comparison between high pressure-induced starch gelatinization (HPG) and conventional thermal gelatinization (TG) was made. In the case of broad bean starch, selected complexing molecules were considered for both thermal and high pressure treatments. Cross polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) 13C NMR, X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis were used to monitor physico-chemical changes in the structure and microstructure of starch preparations. Decanoic acid and carvacrol were selected as complexing agents to track the formation of amylose ligand complexes. It was observed that B-type starch (potato) was more resistant to pressure than the A-type starches (tapioca, broad bean and pea) considered in this study. The results showed that amylose ligand complexes were formed during high pressure treatment (20min at 500MPa at temperatures of 20°C and 40°C). Decanoic acid induced the complexing of amylose in the V6I type whatever the treatment used. On the other hand, the complexation of carvacrol appeared to depend on the temperature used during the high pressure treatment. It is assumed that carvacrol forms amorphous complexes with amylose during high pressure treatment. The amylose complexes were characterized by 13C CP/MAS NMR confirming the results obtained by X-ray analysis. Industrial relevance: Development of innovative assembly of amylose+molecules of interest (i.e. antioxidant) using a mild processing (40°C) instead of 90°C. At 90°C, some molecules are damaged or oxidized. The use of high pressure permits the production of larger amount of compounds than using conventional thermal treatment. The main reason is that there is no need to solubilise the molecule of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge of reducing the salt content while maintaining shelf life, stability and acceptability of the products is major for the food industry. In the present study, we implemented processing adjustments to reduce salt content while maintaining the machinability and the saltiness perception of sheeted dough: the homogeneous distribution of a layer of encapsulated salt grains on the dough during the laminating process. During sheeting, for an imposed deformation of 0.67, the final strain remained unchanged around 0.50 for salt reduction below 50%, and then, increased significantly up to 0.53 for a dough without salt. This increase is, in fine, positive regarding the rolling process since the decrease of salt content induces less shrinkage of dough downstream, which is the main feature to be controlled in the process. Moreover, the final strain was negatively correlated to the resistance to extension measured with a texture analyzer, therefore providing a method to evaluate the machinability of the dough. From these results, a salt reduction of 25% was achieved by holding 50% of the salt in the dough recipe to maintain the dough properties and saving 25% as salt grains to create high-salted areas that would enhance the saltiness perception of the dough. The distributor mounted above the rollers of the mill proved to be able to distribute evenly salt grains at a calculated step of the rolling out process. An innovative method based on RX micro-tomography allowed to follow the salt dissolving and to demonstrate the capability of the coatings to delay the salt dissolving and consequently the diffusion of salt within the dough piece. Finally, a ranking test on the salted perception of different samples having either an even distribution of encapsulated salt grains, a single layer of salt grains or a homogeneous distribution of salt, demonstrated that increasing the saltiness perception in salt-reduced food product could be achieved by a technological approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversified cropping systems are a main pillar of agroecological practices, but their development is hindered by technological lock-in of agri-food systems around a few major crops. There are only a few examples where minor crops successfully developed and stabilized in a given agricultural region. The underlying change processes at play in these situations are not well known. Our paper draws on successful crop diversification experiences, and more specifically on analyses of why and how farms change towards diversified cropping systems, with a view to identifying levers to further enable crop diversification. We selected three regions in Europe (Vendée in France, Marche in Italy and Skåne in Sweden) where minor crops are present and carried out interviews on 33 farms where these crops had recently been introduced. The interviews aimed at retracing the farms' crop diversification pathways and the drivers thereof. Farmers were asked to explain their motivations for diversifying their crops and the resources they mobilized to do so. Using a combination of variables to describe the evolution of crop diversity and farmers' behavior towards diversification crops, we statistically categorized the crop diversification pathways into three distinct patterns. The three types of crop diversification pathways identified differed in the following respects: their crop diversity evolution dynamics; the levels of crop diversity reached; and the nature of the change processes that supported them. Type 1 farmers diversify slowly, based on crop-by-crop comparisons of performances. They mobilize few external resources. Type 2 farmers steadily increase crop diversity by introducing a few minor crops on large areas. They are driven by combined economic and agronomic or work-related motivations, and supported by the downstream actors buying the crops. Type 3 farmers diversify rapidly and significantly, driven by agronomic motivations on the benefits of crop diversity for the crop succession. They look for leeway and flexibility in their decisions by mobilizing a variety of outlets and networks. This is the first time that crop diversification is analyzed as a long-term (ten to twenty years) change process on farms, with a comparative analysis of three contrasting European regions. Our results indicate that support to crop diversification should be tailored according to farmers' agronomic, economic and work-related issues- especially at the level of the crop succession and the farm. Outlets for diversification crops need to be thought out in terms of the level of external support and autonomy they provide to farmers. [Display omitted] • Crop diversification is hindered by technological lock-in around major crops. • Pathways of European farms that recently diversified their crops provide levers to further enable crop diversification. • Farmers' motivations to diversify are agronomic, economic or work-related; combined motivations lead to more diversity. • Outlets for diversification products strongly determine the level of external support and flexibility for farmers. • Supporting long-term crop diversification requires considering farmers' motivations to diversify. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current literature suggests that anti-HLA donor-specific antibodies (DSA) may have deleterious effects on liver grafts but there is no proof that they are directly involved in the graft lesions. We report the case of a donor HLA-sensitized patient who needed a second graft 6 months after the first transplantation owing to a progressive cholestatic disease that we could finally attribute to antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). We describe the longitudinal evolution of graft function, tissue histology, serum DSA and, for the first time, intra-graft DSA after elution from biopsies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5-Caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid), is classified in acid–phenols family and as polyphenolic compounds it possesses antioxidant activity. The oxydative modification of chlorogenic acid in foods may lead to alteration of their qualities; to counteract these degradation effects, molecular encapsulation was used to protect chlorogenic acid. Amylose can interact strongly with a number of small molecules, including lipids. In order to enable chlorogenic acid complexation by amylose, a C16 aliphatic chain was previously grafted onto the cycle of quinic acid. This work showed that for the two lipophilic derivatives of chlorogenic acid: hexadecyl chlorogenate obtained by alkylation and 3- O -palmitoyl chlorogenic acid obtained by acylation; only the 3- O -palmitoyl chlorogenic acid complexed amylose. The chlorogenic acid derivatives were studied by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and NMR to elucidate the interaction. By comparing the results with previous work on the complexation of amylose by 4- O -palmitoyl chlorogenic acid, the importance of the aliphatic chain position on the cycle of the quinic acid is clearly highlighted. A study in molecular modeling helped to understand the difference in behavior relative to amylose of these three derivatives of chlorogenic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel experimental setup was developed and an innovative process was implemented aiming at the application of microwave radiation during freezing of a food matrix. The results acquired from the present study are considered as remarkable and promising. The developed freezing process was applied on pork tenderloin samples. The application of microwaves during cooling the samples caused oscillated decrease of temperature and had a significant impact on the crystallization process as the degree of supercooling was decreased circa 92% under the tested conditions. The meat microstructure evaluation showed a 62% decrease in the average ice crystal size when samples were frozen under a microwave field as compared to the conventional freezing process. These results indicate that the application of microwave radiation during freezing may reduce the damage of the meat tissue and in turn to retain better texture in the frozen meat. Industrial relevance The reduction of freeze damage exerted to any tissue undergoing freezing remains a challenge. The mechanical and biochemical stress caused by the ice crystals to the cellular membranes results in irreversible tissue damage. The application of electric and/or magnetic disturbances has been identified as a possible means to reduce the size of ice crystals during freezing of biological tissues. In the present study microwaves were applied during freezing of pork meat. Our results indicate that the size of the formed ice crystals was significantly reduced during microwave assisted freezing leading to a lower damage on the microstructure of meat. This paper describes an innovative and novel freezing process that could be used in order for higher quality frozen products to be produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]