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Donor derived cell free DNA (ddcfDNA) may supplant or enhance current screening and diagnostic tools for transplant rejection. Correlations between ddcfDNA, severity of rejection, and donor specific antibody (DSA) formation has been published in adult heart transplant (HT) recipients. However, there are limited data on real world use of ddcfDNA in pediatric HT patients. We performed a retrospective analysis of ddcfDNA levels at a single center [AlloSure®, CareDx, Inc.] between 2/1/22-8/30/22 (N=33 patients, n=38 ddcfDNA draws). ddcfDNA levels were analyzed by presence or absence of DSA or rejection on biopsy (ISHLT 2004 ≥1R or ≥pAMR1) within 7 days prior or 30 days after ddcfDNA collection. ddcfDNA levels were compared by patient age, time from transplant, and history of congenital heart disease (CHD) or homograft exposure. Median ddcfDNA levels were below the clinical limit of detection in the absence of DSA and rejection (n=18) and for DSA (n=7) or 1R (n=5) rejection alone, whereas HT patients with both DSA and rejection (DSA+R, n = 8) had significantly higher ddcfDNA (0.77%, p=0.005, Figure). Using an a priori threshold of 0.35%, ddcfDNA levels were frequently elevated only in DSA+R (88% vs. 6%, 15%, and 20%, respectively, p=0.0001) and could differentiate DSA from DSA+R with a sensitivity and specificity of >85%. ddcfDNA levels were higher in HT recipients with homograft (n=12, 0.46%, p=0.006), but did not differ by CHD, age, and time from transplant. Higher ddcfDNA levels were observed for DSA+R and homograft exposure, supporting findings in adults, but not DSA or rejection alone. A ddcfDNA cut off of 0.35% was able to effectively discriminate DSA+R from DSA alone. These suggest that temporal differences exist between ddcfDNA elevation, DSA detection, and myocardial lymphocytic infiltration. Larger, longitudinal pediatric HT cohorts may better characterize this temporal relationship and establish the prognostic utility for ddcfDNA in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dinoflagellate algal blooms (DABs), with Lingulodinium polyedrum as the dominant species, have increased over the past few years in coastal areas off Baja California, Mexico. Vertical and temporal variability of particulate cadmium (Cd p ), dissolved Cd (Cd d ), PO 4 3 − and Cd d /PO 4 3 − were investigated during two intense DABs of L. polyedrum that occurred during the fall of 2011 and 2012 in Todos Santos Bay. Results were then, compared with data gathered in the absence of algal blooms during the autumn of 2013. In both algal blooms, L. polyedrum tended to be concentrated near the surface throughout the duration; however, during DAB 2011 the number of cells was twice as abundant ([10.0 ± 8.0] × 10 5 cells L − 1 ) as in DAB 2012 ([5.0 ± 4.4] × 10 5 cells L − 1 ). During DAB 2011, Cd p increased significantly (up to 1.02 ± 0.99 nmol kg − 1 ) and was positively correlated with the cell abundance of L. polyedrum , suggesting that this dinoflagellate is able to assimilate and concentrate Cd d . Likewise, Cd d (up to 0.71 ± 0.17 nM) increased in the days of highest cell abundance, which could be attributed to uptake and subsequent regeneration of Cd d resulting from the remineralization of organic particulate matter produced during the bloom, as well as with the presence of organic ligands secreted by L. polyedrum that could keep Cd d in solution. During DAB 2011, dissolved Cd d /PO 4 3 − ratios exhibited high vertical and temporal variability in the upper 5 m of the water column, but remained virtually constant near the bottom, suggesting a depth-dependent decoupling between these two dissolved components during the bloom development. Given the observed differences in the vertical and temporal variability of Cd d , Cd p , and PO 4 3 − between these two intense DABs, we propose the existence of an abundance threshold of approximately 10 6 cells L − 1 of L. polyedrum above which Cd and PO 4 3 − significantly increased due to remineralization in coastal waters during the bloom development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective was to assess the effect of protein hydrolysates of β-conglycinin enriched soybean on fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity and adipogenic response of human adipocytes in vitro. The results showed that genotypic changes in soybean protein subunits produced peptide profiles that led to inhibition of FAS and lipid accumulation in vitro. FAS inhibitory potency (IC50) of soy protein hydrolysates (SPH) ranged from 50 to 175μM, while lipid inhibition from 15.6% to 45.9%. Protein hydrolysate C2H from a soybean containing the highest total β-conglycinin (46.9%) showed the most potent inhibitory effect on in vitro adipogenesis (46%) and FAS (IC50 =50μM). C2H was composed of dominant peptides from fragments f(85–112) and f(131–132) of β-conglycinin α subunit. Smaller peptides identified as fragments f(330–342) and f(329–342) of α′ subunit were also found. In conclusion, soybean genotypes enriched in β-conglycinin α and α′ subunits are suitable sources of active peptides that inhibit FAS activity and lipid accumulation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A study of the effect of lithium content (1, 3 and 5wt.%) and heat treatment (400°C during 144h) on the corrosion behavior of Ni3Al alloy has been carried out in a 62mol.%Li2CO3–38mol.%K2CO3 mixture at 650°C using electrochemical techniques. Employed electrochemical techniques included potentiodynamic polarization curves, linear polarization resistance, LPR, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS, and electrochemical noise, measurements EN. Results have shown that the alloys exhibited an active–passive behavior regardless of the heat treatment. For alloys without heat treatment, the most corrosion resistant was the Ni3Al base alloy, but when they were heat treated, the most corrosion resistant was the alloy containing 3%Li. EIS results showed that for short immersion tests, the corrosion process was under diffusion control, but for longer exposure times, the presence of a protective scale was evident. All the alloys were highly susceptible to a localized type of corrosion according to EN measurements and supported by SEM micrographs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • M. oleifera leaves consumption prevented colon shortening and spleen enlargement. • The consumption of moringa increased hepatic and colonic GST and NQO1 activities. • 10% and 20% MO treatments decreased the colonic MPO and MDA levels. • The 10% MO treatment exhibited the highest content of short-chain fatty acids. • MO consumption downregulated IL-6, IL-2 and TNF-α-associated pathways. New chemopreventive alternatives are needed due to the rising worldwide incidence of colorectal cancer. The objective was to evaluate the chemopreventive activity of Moringa oleifera leaves (MO) in a colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis model. We hypothesized that MO contain bioactive compounds capable of modulating the expression of genes involved in the inflammatory response and carcinogenesis. Forty-eight male mice (CD-1) were divided into six groups; 1: Healthy control; 2: Positive control induced with azoxymethane (AOM, 10 mg/Kg body weight, intraperitoneal injection) and three cycles of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS, 1.5% in drinking water); groups 3, 4, and 5 were induced with AOM/DSS and supplemented with 5%, 10%, and 20% of MO, respectively; group 6: had no disease induction and supplemented with 20% of MO. Mice were treated for 12 weeks and euthanized. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found for the moringa-administered groups in morphological and histopathological parameters compared to the AOM/DSS control. A decrease in myeloperoxidase activity (~50%) and lipid peroxidation (1.9–3.1 times) were found in groups with 10% and 20% of MO compared to the AOM/DSS control (p < 0.05). The group supplemented with 10% MO showed a significant increase (~3 times) in butyrate and propionate in fecal and cecal content. Groups supplemented with 10%, and 20% MO showed a reduction in proinflammatory cytokines in serum (MCP-1, IL-6, TNF-α) compared to the AOM/DSS control. Treatment with 10% MO induced differential expression of 65 genes in colon tissue such as IL-2 , IL-6, TNF, IL-1ß, and INF-γ. MO downregulated proinflammatory mediators showing chemopreventive properties against inflammatory response and colon carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absorption and emission spectra of Ho3+ in alkali bismuth gallate glass matrices have been investigated in the visible and near-infrared. Strong fluorescence in the green (λ∼549 nm), arising from the 5S2→5I8 transition of the ion, has been observed when Ho-doped potassium bismuth gallate glass is optically-excited in the red (∼646 nm). The measured quadratic dependence of the relative 549 nm intensity on pump power demonstrates that the upconversion mechanism is the sequential absorption of two photons. For a pump power of 285 mW at 646 nm, the upconversion efficiency is measured to be 5.5% which is among the highest values reported for glassy or crystalline matrices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Quantification of carbon fluxes between solid Earth and its atmosphere is necessary to understand the global geological carbon cycle. Some of the main CO 2 contributors are metamorphism and magmatic-mantle degassing. CO 2 is discharged from active and quiescent volcanoes, fault zones, geothermal systems and CO 2 rich groundwater. Here a new method for the estimation of the geogenic flux of CO 2 from tectonically active regions, based on the volume, composition and age of travertine deposits, is proposed. The method is applied to the travertine deposits of western Central Italy where travertine deposition is driven by degassing of CO 2 charged groundwater. Results show that the study areas are characterized, since Middle Pleistocene, by diffuse CO 2 degassing processes with time averaged CO 2 fluxes ranging between 1.24 ± 0.12 106 mol y−1 km−2 and 1.38 ± 0.42 106 mol y−1 km−2. These values are of the same order of magnitude of carbon dioxide fluxes measured by different methods in western central Italy and are higher than the global baseline CO 2 flux from high heat flow regions. The review of the available 234U/230Th and 14C data shows that the CO 2 degassing processes that affects western Central Italy nowadays were already active at least 350 Ka ago, proving that this region is a globally relevant case for the study of Earth degassing. Considering the widespread occurrence of travertine deposits in tectonically active areas worldwide, the proposed approach can be used as a reliable tool to estimate the CO 2 flux in different geodynamic settings within system Earth. Image 1 • Geogenic flux of CO 2 is estimated from the volume and age of travertine deposits. • Western central Italy is a globally relevant case for the study of Earth degassing. • The proposed approach is a reliable tool to estimate the CO 2 flux worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A 2-week experiment was conducted to detect antigenic soy proteins in plasma of pigs fed soybean meal (SBM) and fermented soybean meal (FSBM). The suitability of a commercial FSBM to replace SBM in diets for newly weaned pig was also evaluated. A total of 160 pigs were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments (n =8): 400g/kg soybean meal (FSBM-0), its replacement by protein from fermented soybean meal as 1/3 (FSBM-1), 2/3 (FSBM-2), 3/3 (FSBM-3), and no soy protein in diet (PCON). Diets were fed at weaning, but feed intake (ADFI) and weight gain (ADG) record began after 3 days. Overall, pigs fed PCON had greater (P<0.001) performance and less diarrhea than pigs fed soy proteins. Pigs fed diets with FSBM had less (P<0.001) diarrhea than those fed the FSBM-0 diet. Western blot analysis showed that pig plasma recognized α, α′ and β subunits of β-conglycinin and basic subunits of glycinin present in SBM, while acidic subunits of glycinin, and P34 (human immunodominant soybean allergen) showed a weak immunoreactivity. Plasma from pigs fed FSBM exhibited reduced immunoreactivity toward α and α′ subunits of β-conglycinin and acidic subunits of glycinin, due to a partial hydrolysis of those proteins during fermentation. In agreement with that observation, analysis of soy proteins in FSBM by sodium-dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed partial digestion of large proteins with antigenic activity. A linear regression analysis of values from enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) did not support the notion that anti-soy immunoreactivity in pig plasma changed significantly as the dietary inclusion of FSBM increased. The FSBM used in this study may be used in substitution of SBM protein without detrimental effect on pig performance. Moreover, inclusion of FSBM in diets for newly weaned pigs may reduce diarrhea after weaning. However, optimization of the fermentation conditions in the commercial FSBM is still needed to produce a more hypoallergenic soybean product for young pigs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Lunasin is a chemopreventive peptide present in soybean and other plant sources. The high cost involved in obtaining synthetic lunasin limits its application in chemopreventive and nutritional interventions. The objective of this study was to isolate, purify and characterise lunasin from defatted soybean flour and determine its in vitro anti-inflammatory activity using RAW 264.7 macrophages. Isolation and purification was achieved by ion-exchange chromatography, ultrafiltration and size exclusion chromatography. The identity of lunasin was established by Western blot, HPLC, MALDI-TOF and LC/MS-MS. The results showed that lunasin eluted from a DEAE anion exchange column at 0.15M NaCl, and after 1.5 void volumes from size exclusion chromatography. Fractions from both chromatographic techniques consistently showed three peptides with positive immunoreactivity against lunasin mouse monoclonal antibody corresponding to 5, 8 and 14kDa. LC/MS-MS analysis of the three immunoreactive peptides showed that 5 and 14kDa bands contained the lunasin epitope, RGDDDDDD DDD while 8kDa band showed high homology with 2S soy albumin, a lunasin precursor. This is the first report on the potential anti-inflammatory activity of lunasin. Treatment of RAW 264.7 macrophage with 100μM lunasin decreased the production of NO (92.6±0.8%) and PGE2 (10.1±4.5%), and the expression of iNOS (27.8±2.1%) and COX-2 (41.4±16.7%). We concluded that combination of ion-exchange chromatography, ultrafiltration and size exclusion chromatography represents a feasible process for the production of purified lunasin, which was also found to inhibit COX-2/PGE2 and iNOS/NO pathways. This newly discovered property of lunasin might contribute to the suppression of inflammation in vivo. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Food allergy has become a public health problem that continues to challenge both the consumer and the food industry. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the reduction of immunoreactivity by natural and induced fermentation of soybean meal (SBM) with Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Saccharomyces cereviseae, and to assess the effect on amino acid concentration. Immunoreactivity of commercially available fermented soybean products and ingredients was also evaluated. ELISA and western blot were used to measure IgE immunoreactivity using plasma from soy sensitive individuals. Commercial soy products included tempeh, miso and yogurt. Fermented SBM showed reduced immunoreactivity to human plasma, particularly if proteins were <20kDa. S. cereviseae and naturally fermented SBM showed the highest reduction in IgE immunoreactivity, up to 89% and 88%, respectively, against human pooled plasma. When SBM was subjected to fermentation with different microorganisms, most of the total amino acids increased significantly (p <0.05) and only few of them suffered a decrease depending on the type of fermentation. All commercial soy containing products tested showed very low immunoreactivity. Thus, fermentation can decrease soy immunoreactivity and can be optimized to develop nutritious hypoallergenic soy products. However, the clinical relevance of these findings needs to be determined by human challenge studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]