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Laetiporus sulphureus is an edible mushroom with significant medicinal potential due to its rich polyphenol composition. Complete activity of polyphenols in the colon depends on the probiotic bacteria which already demonstrated proapoptotic effects on colon cancer cells. Our study uses a simple HoxBan co-culture system in order to approximate real in vivo conditions. Present study examined for the first time the cytotoxic effect of L. sulphureus ethyl acetate extract (EALS) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BAL) probiotic on colorectal (HCT-116) and healthy (MRC-5) cells. EALS, abundant in polyphenolics detected by HPLC, showed weak cytotoxic activity (MTT assay) on HCT-116 and MRC-5 cells. Strong cytotoxicity of BAL and BAL/EALS on HCT-116 cells (determined by trypan blue staining and flow cytometry) was due to induction of proapoptotic effects. External apoptotic pathway was activated via intensified expression of Caspase 8 and Caspase 3 , detected by qPCR method. The results show that EALS strongly enhances the cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects of BAL on HCT-116 cells in the co-culture system. Directions for future research are suggested to ultimately provide the clarification whether the structural change of polyphenols caused by the activity of BAL, or the change in the metabolic activity of BAL by polyphenols, are responsible for exact mechanism of these treatments activity. Also, the consequences of direct contact of BAL and HCT-116 cells should be further examined in appropriate in vivo systems. [Display omitted] • Laetiporus sulphureus had no cytotoxicity on colorectal cancer cells as a single treatment. • Bifidobacterium animalis spp. lactis induces cytotoxic effects on tested cells. • Laetiporus sulphureus extract enhances pro-apoptotic effects in the co-culture system. • Co-cultures investigate interactions between cancer human cells and the microbiome. • Laetiporus sulphureus is a valuable anticancer treatment in co-culture systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarises current research findings related to the behaviour and simulation of a relatively new type of structural component: recycled aggregate concrete-filled steel tube columns (RACFST). The first part of the paper presents a review of the latest experimental campaigns on RACFST columns subjected to a variety of loading conditions. For each of loading condition, highlight observations about the behaviour of RACFST columns are presented. The second part of the paper provides a summary of numerical modelling approaches developed for simulating the structural behaviour of RACFST columns. Special attention is paid to the selection and calibration of material models for recycled aggregate concrete. Finally, directions for future investigations in this area are outlined and discussed. The review will benefit researchers and professionals seeking to gain an in-depth understanding of the behaviour of RACFST columns, and fills a gap in existing literature regarding a number of practical issues related to the numerical modelling of these components. • A state-of-the-art review of experiments on RACFST columns is presented. • The experimental behaviour of RACFST columns is summarised. • Different numerical modelling strategies for modelling RACFST columns are discussed. • Research gaps and directions for future investigations are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seventeen native fir populations from the presumed zones of natural hybridization in the Balkan Peninsula were analyzed using headspace needle volatiles and GC-MS/FID analyses. The multivariate statistical analyses revealed clear differentiation between populations of Abies alba and A. cephalonica , suggesting that Silver and Greek Fir are characterized by distinct volatile profiles. Three populations from northern and central Greece identified as A. x borisii - regis shared the volatile profiles with both of the supposed parent species, whereby profile frequencies changed clinally along the latitudinal gradient connecting the ranges of parent species. Therefore, observed geographical distribution of volatile entities support the hypothesis that studied A. x borisii - regis populations are of secondary origin, formed by hybridization between A. alba and A. cephalonica. All three populations should be included in conservation projects, as the genetic constitution of these polymorphic fir populations may contain useful genetic variation necessary for survival regarding the future environmental challenges in this area. Image 1 • Volatile diversity of three Mediterranean firs was studied. • A. alba and A. cephalonica are clearly distinguished by using volatile markers. • A. x borisii-regis shared the volatile profiles with the supposed parent species. • Profile frequencies changed clinally along the latitudinal gradient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The revised European Directive from 2013 regarding basic safety standard oblige EU Member States to establish a national action plan regarding the exposure to radon. At the same time, International Atomic Energy Agency started technical projects in order to assist countries to establish and implement national radon action. As a consequence, in recent years, in numerous countries national radon surveys were conducted and action plans established, which were not performed before. In this paper, a qualitative overview of radon surveys performed in Europe is given with a special attention to the qualitative and conceptual description of surveys, representativeness and QA/QC (quality assurance/quality control). • Literature overview of indoor radon surveys performed in Europe. • Analysis of survey design and representativeness of indoor radon surveys. • Analysis of measurement techniques used in indoor radon surveys. • Analysis of sampling procedure, sampling number and type of locations in indoor radon surveys. • Analysis of quality assurance and quality control in indoor radon surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This is the first report on population differentiation based on composition of three different compound classes ( n -alkanes, primary alcohols and diterpenes) in the epicuticular waxes of European black pine ( Pinus nigra ) from Balkan Peninsula and Southern Carpathians. The n -hexane extracts of 263 samples, originating from 15 native populations of four P. nigra subspecies ( nigra , dalmatica , banatica and pallasiana ), were investigated by GC-MS and GC-FID analyses. In all studied populations n -alkanes represent the most abundant compound group, while the contents of diterpenes and alcohols were lower and variable. Multivariate statistical analyses (Canonical Discriminant Analysis and Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering) suggest existence of two clearly differentiated chemical entities with the basic difference in the content of primary alcohols (especially cis -9-octadecen-1-ol and 1-hexadecanol). The first group (low alcohol content) included all populations of ssp. nigra , ssp. dalmatica and ssp. banatica , as well as the two northernmost populations of ssp. pallasiana from Serbia and Bulgaria, while the second group (high alcohol content) comprised individuals from Greek and Macedonian populations of ssp. pallasiana. According to the recently proposed concept of ancient split of major genetic lineages of P. nigra , both chemical entities detected in this study belong to the same (Balkan Peninsula) genetic group. Taxonomic implications of given results are briefly discussed in relation with previous data based on morphological and molecular characters. Highlights • Two chemical types of epicuticular waxes in 15 populations of P. nigra were found. • The basic difference was related to the content of primary alcohols. • Both chemical groups belong to the same (Balkan Peninsula) genetic group. • Distribution of certain P. nigra entities depend on characters used for comparison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melt-quenching method was employed for obtaining a glass-ceramic with the following composition 42P 2 O 5 ·40CaO·5SrO·10Na 2 O·3TiO 2 (mol%) glass. The crystallization and sintering behavior of glass have been studied by using DTA, HSM, XRD, FTIR and SEM methods. It was determined that the surface and volume crystallization mechanisms act simultaneously in bulk glass samples. The comparison of DTA and HSM data revealed that the sintering and crystallization processes are independent. The sintered calcium phosphate glass-ceramic which contained bioactive β-Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 and β-Ca 2 P 2 O 7 phases was successfully prepared. It was determined that during crystallization the primary phase in the precipitate was β-Ca(PO 3 ) 2. Other phases appearing in the resulting glass-ceramic were: α-Ca 2 P 2 O 7 , γ-Ca 2 P 2 O 7 , Ca 4 P 6 O 19 and CaHPO 4 (H 2 O) 2 . Crystalline phases containing Sr and Ti were not detected. SEM analysis of the glass-ceramic microstructure revealed surface crystallization of glass particles and plate-like morphology of crystal growth. The result of the in vitro bioactivity showed that no apatite layer was formed on the surface of the as-prepared glass-ceramic samples after immersion in the simulated body fluid (SBF). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Glasses with a constant B2O3 and an increasing La2O3 content in the system La2O3–SrO–B2O3 were obtained by the usual melt quenching procedure. The crystallization and sinterability of the glasses were investigated by hot stage microscopy (HSM), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD analysis of the bulk samples evidenced the formation of the crystalline phases: La2SrB10O19, SrB6O10 and SrLaBO4. XRD and TEM/SAED analyses showed a polymorphic crystallization of the glass sample containing 14.3mol% La2O3 with precipitation of the La2SrB10O19 phase. SEM analysis confirmed the surface crystallization mechanism of this sample. The kinetics of crystallization of the same sample was examined by DTA and the activation energy of crystal growth was calculated by the Kissinger model to be E a=458±63kJmol–1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Open-faced charcoal canisters have been used for radon measurements for over 40 years. This method is sensitive to temperature, changing radon concentrations, humidity and other parameters, but a comprehensive study dealing with the influence quantities and measurement uncertainty was not available in literature. In this paper, all the identified influence quantities are discussed in detail, uncertainty budget is developed, good practice and bad practice examples are introduced and new recommendations are proposed to optimize the method and reduce uncertainty. • Optimized or new measurement methods are needed for identification of radon priority areas. • Open-faced charcoal canisters for indoor radon measurements are studied. • Contributions to uncertainty budget are identified and their magnitudes estimated. • Combined uncertainty is estimated for good practice and bad practice examples. • Recommendations for the optimization of the method are developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]