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Leaf water uptake (FWU) represents an alternative pathway to plant water acquisition that can have positive effects on water and carbon balance. Leaf surface traits including the phyllosphere microbes can affect the leaf wetness capacity and FWU. These functional and structural leaf traits could change depending on soil resources availability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the responses of FWU and leaf surface traits such as contact angle, water drop adhesion (LWA) and phyllosphere-associated microbiota to soil nitrogen addition. Three dominant plant species, Azorella prolifera, Senecio filaginoides, and Papostippa speciosa, of an arid steppe in Patagonia exposed to nitrogen (+N) and nitrogen plus water (+NW) addition for ten years were selected. Leaf contact angle did not exhibit statistical differences among treatments within species. LWA was higher in all treatments with respect to the control (C) for shrub A. prolifera and grass P. speciosa. Nitrogen addition increased significantly FWU in A. prolifera and in P. speciosa with respect to C. Colony-forming units of culturable microorganisms (CFU) on leaf surface responded to N addition, but the changes were statistically significant in S. filaginoides and P. speciosa in +NW, increasing three and eight times, respectively, in relation to the C. A positive linear relationship was found between FWU and LWA across species and treatments. On the other hand, CFU of phyllosphere was negative and exponentially correlated with LWA and FWU, across species and treatments. The results suggest that soil N enrichment could affect functional leaf traits and phyllosphere microbiota in a way that may confer a higher potential to cope with drought by facilitating the use of alternative water sources. On the other hand, we suggested that species with leaves more colonized have less surface exposed for FWU and could have lower wettability depending on the hydrophobicity degree of microbes. However, a higher cover of epiphyte’s microorganisms could compensate the effects of lower FWU by avoiding the leaf dehydration. This study contributes to a better understanding of plant leaf-microbe interactions under higher N atmospheric deposition and intensive fertilization as global agricultural production is expected to increase.

Abstract The family of juvenile xanthogranuloma family neoplasms (JXG) with ERK-pathway mutations are now classified within the “L” (Langerhans) group, which includes Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and Erdheim Chester disease (ECD). Although the BRAF V600E mutation constitutes the majority of molecular alterations in ECD and LCH, only three reported JXG neoplasms, all in male pediatric patients with localized central nervous system (CNS) involvement, are known to harbor the BRAF mutation. This retrospective case series seeks to redefine the clinicopathologic spectrum of pediatric CNS-JXG family neoplasms in the post-BRAF era, with a revised diagnostic algorithm to include pediatric ECD. Twenty-two CNS-JXG family lesions were retrieved from consult files with 64% (n = 14) having informative BRAF V600E mutational testing (molecular and/or VE1 immunohistochemistry). Of these, 71% (n = 10) were pediatric cases (≤18 years) and half (n = 5) harbored the BRAF V600E mutation. As compared to the BRAF wild-type cohort (WT), the BRAF V600E cohort had a similar mean age at diagnosis [BRAF V600E: 7 years (3–12 y), vs. WT: 7.6 years (1–18 y)] but demonstrated a stronger male/female ratio (BRAF V600E: 4 vs WT: 0.67), and had both more multifocal CNS disease ( BRAFV600E: 80% vs WT: 20%) and systemic disease (BRAF V600E: 40% vs WT: none). Radiographic features of CNS-JXG varied but typically included enhancing CNS mass lesion(s) with associated white matter changes in a subset of BRAF V600E neoplasms. After clinical-radiographic correlation, pediatric ECD was diagnosed in the BRAF V600E cohort. Treatment options varied, including surgical resection, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy with BRAF-inhibitor dabrafenib in one mutated case. BRAF V600E CNS-JXG neoplasms appear associated with male gender and aggressive disease presentation including pediatric ECD. We propose a revised diagnostic algorithm for CNS-JXG that includes an initial morphologic diagnosis with a final integrated diagnosis after clinical-radiographic and molecular correlation, in order to identify cases of pediatric ECD. Future studies with long-term follow-up are required to determine if pediatric BRAF V600E positive CNS-JXG neoplasms are a distinct entity in the L-group histiocytosis category or represent an expanded pediatric spectrum of ECD.

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is cause of a global pandemic of a pneumonia-like disease termed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 presents a high mortality rate, estimated at 3.4%. More than 1 out of 4 hospitalized COVID-19 patients require admission to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for respiratory support, and a large proportion of these ICU-COVID-19 patients, between 17% and 46%, have died. In these patients COVID-19 infection causes an inflammatory response in the lungs that can progress to inflammation with cytokine storm, Acute Lung Injury (ALI), Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), thromboembolic events, disseminated intravascular coagulation, organ failure, and death. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are potent immunomodulatory cells that recognize sites of injury, limit effector T cell reactions, and positively modulate regulatory cell populations. MSCs also stimulate local tissue regeneration via paracrine effects inducing angiogenic, anti-fibrotic and remodeling responses. MSCs can be derived in large number from the Umbilical Cord (UC). UC-MSCs, utilized in the allogeneic setting, have demonstrated safety and efficacy in clinical trials for a number of disease conditions including inflammatory and immune-based diseases. UC-MSCs have been shown to inhibit inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs and have been utilized to treat patients with severe COVID-19 in pilot, uncontrolled clinical trials, that reported promising results. UC-MSCs processed at our facility have been authorized by the FDA for clinical trials in patients with an Alzheimer’s Disease, and in patients with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). We hypothesize that UC-MSC will also exert beneficial therapeutic effects in COVID-19 patients with cytokine storm and ARDS. We propose an early phase controlled, randomized clinical trial in COVID-19 patients with ALI/ARDS. Subjects in the treatment group will be treated with two doses of UC-MSC (100 x 106 cells). The first dose will be infused within 24 hours following study enrollment. A second dose will be administered 72 ± 6 hours after the first infusion. Subject in the control group will receive infusion of vehicle (DPBS supplemented with 1% HSA and 70 U/kg unfractionated Heparin, delivered IV) following the same timeline. Subjects will be evaluated daily during the first 6 days, then at 14, 28, 60, and 90 days following enrollment (see Schedule of Assessment for time window details). Safety will be determined by adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) during the follow-up period. Efficacy will be defined by clinical outcomes, as well as a variety of pulmonary, biochemical and immunological tests. Success of the current study will provide a framework for larger controlled, randomized clinical trials and a means of accelerating a possible solution for this urgent but unmet medical need. The proposed early phase clinical trial will be performed at the University of Miami (UM), in the facilities of the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), UHealth Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the Clinical Translational Research Site (CTRS) at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and at the Jackson Memorial Hospital (JMH).

The study of biochemical quality indicators of 26 new potato hybrids was carried out in order to determine the ones mostly suitable for processing into starch and potato products and for use as table variety. An express method was used to determine dry matter (DM), Evers method was used to determine the total starch content of tubers, the polarimetric method and a glucometer test were used to determine reducing sugars, glycoalkaloids and inorganic phosphorus were determined by spectrophotometric method. There have been selected 5 hybrids suitable for industrial processing and as a source material for breeding. One potato hybrid with 25,06 % content of DM, more than 18,22 % of starch met the requirements for potatoes used for processing into starch and starch products; another potato hybrid can be recommended for the production of fried potato products according to the parameters: DM – 22.40 % starch – 16.18 %, reducing sugars – 0.23 %, glycoalkaloids – 62,0 mg/kg. Three of the studied hybrids with the content of DM of more than 22 %, starch not less than 16%, reducing sugars 0.2-0.4 % and glycoalkaloids 60-126 mg / kg may be used for the production of other types of potato products. The rest of the hybrids can only be recommended for use as table potatoes. The relationship between indicators affecting the quality of potato products has been revealed. Correlations were established between the mass fractions of: dry matter and starch in the tuber (r = 0.98) – high correlation; reducing sugars and glycoalkaloids (r = 0.68); tuber dry matter and glycoalkaloids (r = 0.59); dry matter and glucose (r = -0.61); starch and glucose (r = -0.58) – average correlations. It has been established that the mass fraction of reducing sugars and the direction of rotation of the plane of polarization of light by sugars change non-linearly under different temperature conditions of sample storage.

The article provides an overview of the criteria for choosing pea varieties to evaluate economically valuable traits. For the effective use of peas as raw materials for deep processing, two directions can be considered: a joint increase in the content of protein and starch or the choice of varieties with the required indicators. The results of laboratory studies of processing for starch and protein isolate of 37 variety samples of peas from the collection of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution «Federal Scientific Center of Legumes and Groat Crops» are presented. As evaluation criteria determining high technological properties, providing the most complete extraction of starch and protein isolate there have been selected coefficients of extraction of these components. When selecting a variety of peas, it is also necessary to consider the physicochemical properties of starch, which depend on the mass fraction of amylose. According to the results obtained, the most promising varieties for the processing of grain into starch and protein isolate are Orlovchanin, Alla, Rodnik, Sibirsky 1, Pharaon, Jaguar, Sophia. The most efficient extraction of the main processed products ‒ protein isolate and starch is established for the variety Alla, protein extraction coefficient 81.2 %, starch 90.6 %. Among the wrinkled pea varieties for industrial processing, the Amius 1241 breeding line is the most interesting, with protein isolate and starch extraction coefficients of 70.3 and 69.1 % and a mass fraction of amylose in starch of 81.5 %. It is found that the mass fraction of starch and protein in pea grains does not correlate with the extraction coefficients of protein and starch isolate during processing by two-stage extraction of protein from pea flour using the alkaline method. When processing wrinkled pea varieties, there are difficulties in separating the starch and residual protein undissolved in alkaline medium, since these pea varieties are found to have complex starch granules, which are easily crushed into small irregular and polygonal granules. In smooth pea varieties, the starch granules are oval in shape with a high percentage of large size and therefore there are no problems with separation of the starch-protein suspension. The dependence of viscosity of 3.0 % pea starch paste on the mass fraction of amylose in pea starch has been determined. The choice of pea variety for processing makes it possible to produce starch that has lifetime modification, i.e., that has the required physical and chemical properties and resistance. In addition, depending on the choice of pea variety, it is possible to predict the yield of isolate and protein concentrate.

The article provides an overview of the current state of research in the field of requirements for the quality of potatoes for processing them into potato products. It is noted that the quality of potatoes with white pulp is determined by the mass fraction of: dry matter over 20 %; reducing sugars 0.2-0.5 %, glycoalkaloids no more than 200 mg/kg; starch not less than 16 %. For potatoes with pigmented pulp in addition to these indicators it is necessary to take into account the mass fraction of anthocyanins (over 0.5 %), which are effective antioxidants. The review presents the information on changes in the content of glycoalkaloids in potato tubers with pigmented pulp depending on the type of processing. The objective of experimental research is to analyze the qualitative indicators of native potato varieties with white and pigmented pulp to determine the practicability of their processing into potato products and further using as a starting material for selection. As research objects were selected 21 potato varieties with white pulp and 8 potato varieties with pigmented (colored) pulp. As a result of evaluation of the feasibility of using potatoes with white pulp 7 varieties out of 21 varieties of potatoes can be recommended for the production of potato products (Kamelot, Fritella, Rubin, Triumf, Ariya, Izyuminka, Mirazh). It is shown that the program «Statistica 12» can be used to assess the quality of potatoes on indicators of their suitability for processing into potato products. It was determined that the mass fraction of glycoalkaloids in the potato tuber is an important characteristic of the variety for its using in the production of potato products and as a table potato. Correlations between the mass fraction of potato dry matter and the mass fraction of glycoalkaloids (r = 0.47) and between the mass fraction of reducing sugars and the mass fraction of glycoalkaloids (r = 0.37) were established. The increasing in the mass fraction of these compounds is unwanted, and therefore, it is necessary to control their concentrations for choosing varieties for processing and as a starting material for the selection. Based on the analysis of the results of the evaluation of 8 experimental samples of potatoes with pigmented pulp, one sample was selected to be recommended for processing into potato products (VNIIKX-1), and two samples can be recommended as a starting material for the selection of table varieties with a high anthocyanin mass fraction (VNIIKX-4 and Indigo).

The article provides an overview of the current state of the application of solid-phase methods for separating the structure of grain and leguminous raw material into constituent components, as one of the most relevant areas of environmental protection and reducing the amount of wastewater from enterprises processing agricultural raw materials. The main direction of research on the production of protein concentrates from leguminous raw materials (peas, beans, chickpeas, lupine) by the method of air classification is noted. Among grain crops, rye stands out as having a more balanced amino acid composition compared to wheat and the largest starch grains up to 60 microns, which improves the aero-dynamic separation of grain flour into protein and starch fractions. Тherefore, rye flour was the object of research in this work. The research area included the development of a method for determining the starch content in the heavy fraction of rye flour from the yield of its light protein fraction and its starch content using an installation with variable parameters of a two-chamber disperser and a vortex classifier. The results of experiments on the separation of the mass of the initial rye flour into heavy starch and light protein fractions with a given ratio of starch and protein are theoretically justified and experimentally confirmed. The dependences of the starch content in the heavy fraction on the number of cycles of its recycling are established. With variable parameters of grinding rye flour, determined by the speed of the working bodies of the dispersant from 70 to 100 m/s, the time of grinding and recirculation of the heavy fraction of 30 s and the tangential speed of the classifier rotor of 15 m/s, stable results were obtained for the separation of starch and protein. Тhe yield of the heavy fraction of 72 % with a starch content of 85 % and the yield of the light fraction of 28 % with a mass fraction of protein of at least 26 %.

Background. Improving the taste and nutritional value of sweetcorn using genetic selection techniques is an important trend. The tetraploid sugary maize cultivar ‘Baksanskaya sakharnaya’ (k-23426) has a number of advantages in terms of taste and marketability over traditional diploid varieties.The purpose of the research was to identify the distinctive biochemical characteristics that affect the taste of this cultivar in comparison with the diploid reference (cv. ‘Rannyaya Lakomka’, с-1775).Materials and methods. The differences in phenotypic traits between diploid (2n) and tetraploid (4n) maize plants were assessed. Infrared spectroscopy was used to study the difference in the biochemical composition of kernels in terms of protein, starch and oil content. Accumulation of metabolites in a dry kernel was studied using gas–liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry.Results. Comparison of the phenotypic traits in 2n and 4n sweetcorn plants showed that 4n had a better ear structure, protein and oil content. Analysis of metabolites showed that quantitative indicators of chemical components changed in kernels of the 4n sweetcorn without changing the qualitative composition. The chemical composition of the metabolites in 4n sweetcorn grain was characterized by an increase in the synthesis of most organic acids and protein amino acids, phosphoric acid, fatty acids, some monosaccharides, phenolic compounds, and phytosterols. A decrease in the content of most polyhydric alcohols, disaccharides, trisaccharides, some monosaccharides, and phenolic compounds was observed. An inhibitory effect of a su2 gene dose on the size of starch granules was found. Conclusion. The studies showed the advantage of the 4n sweetcorn over the 2n one due to its improved ear structure and biochemical composition, which positively affected the taste qualities.

During the research conducted at the All-Russian Research Institute for Starch Products there has been developed a technological mode of using cellulolytic enzymes to reduce the viscosity of grain pulp obtained by grinding naked oat grains soaked in a sodium metabisulphite solution. As the experimental data had been processed, the optimum technological parameters of the process were determined: the consumption of the enzyme preparation Viscoferm was 200 g/t of grain and the dura-tion of fermentation by constant stirring for 2.5 hours at pH 4.6 and temperature 50°C. Under laboratory conditions there has been studied the possibility of starch processing of naked oat grain samples Vyatka, Percheron, 857h05, 766 h05 varieties grown in the Federal Agricultural Research Center of the North-East named N.V. Rudnitsky. Technological assessment based on grain processing in the laboratory using the “plant on the table” method has shown that the yield of coarse-grained starch A in the processing of naked oat using cellulolytic enzymes is 51.4-53.9%, i.e. higher than that of filmy oats, rye Falenskaya 4 and Vyatka 2, wheat and triticale. Low starch content in fiber (7.7-8.7% dry substances DS of fiber) was found in comparison with the results obtained from the processing of filmy oats, Falenskaya and Vyatka 2 rye varieties, wheat and triticale (11.2 - 13.9% DS of fiber). Fiber output by the processing of naked oats is 7.3 - 8.8% DS of grain, by the processing of other types of grain 10.3 - 17.5% DS of grain. The yield of small-grain starch B in the processing of the studied varieties of naked oat is 19.2 - 20.8% DS of grain, that is higher than this value obtained by processing of filmy oats and wheat, but lower than by pro-cessing of rye and triticale. Isolated carbohydrate-protein concentrate, including starch B and proteins, is recommended for use with the extract and fiber as a component for the production of feed.

Abstract. Aim. The aim of the study was to develop a process for the utilization of secondary products of triticale grain processing into starch and protein concentrate with production of fodder microbial-vegetative concentrate (FMVC) for pond fish. Methods. Standard and special methods for the analysis of chemical, biochemical composition (amino acid, mineral, fatty acid, carbohydrate), microbiological parameters of triticale grain, secondary products of its processing and FMVC were used in this work. Results. It is shown that considering the peculiarities of the chemical composition of whey water, insoluble residue and pulp, it is expedient to produce FMVC by bioconversion method using the producer-yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The feed value of FMVC in terms of protein, lipids, minerals, and fiber met the normative parameters for fodder for pond fish of the Cyprinidae family. FMVC contained digestible carbohydrates, a high-quality protein with essential amino acids and lipids, which included saturated, unsaturated fatty acids, including ω-6, ω-3 families and phosphatides. Conclusion. A process of bioconversion has been developed for the utilization of secondary products of triticale grain processing into starch A and protein concentrate, with the production of FMVC for pond fish based on whey waters. The concentrate was characterized by high values of essential amino acids score, the predominance of unsaturated fatty acids, the presence of biologically active phospholipids, sterols, micro-, macroelements. The use of a concentrate as an additive will ensure the survivability of fish, increase growth, reduce the cost of feed and improve the ecological situation of the starch factory.