Jackfruit: Composition, structure, and progressive collapsibility in the largest fruit on the Earth for impact resistance.

The jackfruit is the largest fruit on the Earth, reaching upwards of 35 kg and falling from heights of 25 m. To survive such high energy impacts, it has evolved a unique layered configuration with a thorny exterior and porous tubular underlayer. During compression, these layers exhibit a progressive collapse mechanism where the tubules are first to deform, followed by the thorny exterior, and finally the mesocarp layer in between. The thorns are composed of lignified bundles which run longitudinally from the base of the thorn to the tip and are embedded in softer parenchymal cells, forming a fiber reinforced composite. The mesocarp contains more lignin than any of the other layers while the core appears to contain more pectin giving rise to variations in compressive and viscoelastic properties between the layers. The surface thorns provide a compelling impact-resistant feature for bioinspiration, with a cellular structure that can withstand large deformation without failing and wavy surface features which densify during compression without fracturing. Even the conical shape of the thorns is valuable, presenting a gradually increasing surface area during axial collapse. A simplified model of this mechanism is put forward to describe the force response of these features. The thorns also distribute damage laterally during impact and deflect cracks along their interstitial valleys. These phenomena were observed in 3D printed, jackfruit-inspired designs which performed markedly better than control prints with the same mass. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Many biological materials have evolved remarkable structures that enhance their mechanical performance and serve as sources of inspiration for engineers. Plants are often overlooked in this regard yet certain botanical components, like nuts and fruit, have shown incredible potential as blueprints for improved impact resistant designs. The jackfruit is the largest fruit on Earth and generates significant falling impact energies. Here, we explore the jackfruit's structure and its mechanical capabilities for the first time. The progressive failure imparted by its multilayered design and the unique collapse mode of the surface thorns are identified as key mechanisms for improving the fruit's impact resistance. 3D printing is used to show that these structure-property benefits can be successfully transferred to engineering materials.

First Genomic Evidence of a Henipa-like Virus in Brazil.

The viral genus Henipavirus includes two highly virulent zoonotic viruses of serious public health concern. Hendra henipavirus and Nipah henipavirus outbreaks are restricted to Australia and Southeast Asia, respectively. The Henipavirus genus comprises mostly bat-borne viruses, but exceptions have already been described as novel viruses with rodents and shrews as reservoir animals. In the Americas, scarce evidence supports the circulation of these viruses. In this communication, we report a novel henipa-like virus from opossums (Marmosa demerarae) from a forest fragment area in the Peixe-Boi municipality, Brazil, after which the virus was named the Peixe-Boi virus (PBV). The application of next-generation sequencing and metagenomic approach led us to discover the original evidence of a henipa-like virus genome in Brazil and South America and the original description of a henipa-like virus in marsupial species. These findings emphasize the importance of further studies to characterize PBV and clarify its ecology, impact on public health, and its relationship with didelphid marsupials and henipaviruses.

The transcription factor network of E. coli steers global responses to shifts in RNAP concentration.

The robustness and sensitivity of gene networks to environmental changes is critical for cell survival. How gene networks produce specific, chronologically ordered responses to genome-wide perturbations, while robustly maintaining homeostasis, remains an open question. We analysed if short- and mid-term genome-wide responses to shifts in RNA polymerase (RNAP) concentration are influenced by the known topology and logic of the transcription factor network (TFN) of Escherichia coli. We found that, at the gene cohort level, the magnitude of the single-gene, mid-term transcriptional responses to changes in RNAP concentration can be explained by the absolute difference between the gene's numbers of activating and repressing input transcription factors (TFs). Interestingly, this difference is strongly positively correlated with the number of input TFs of the gene. Meanwhile, short-term responses showed only weak influence from the TFN. Our results suggest that the global topological traits of the TFN of E. coli shape which gene cohorts respond to genome-wide stresses.

Nitrogen source as a modulator of the metabolic activity of Pedobacter lusitanus NL19: a transcriptomic approach.

Secondary metabolites (SMs) are compounds with relevant biological activities. Their production under laboratory conditions, especially in broth, is still challenging. An example is the pedopeptins, which are nonribosomal peptides active against some bacteria listed by the WHO for which new antibiotics are urgently needed. Their biosynthesis is inhibited by high concentrations of peptone from casein (PC) in tryptic soy broth (TSB), and we applied a RNA-seq approach to identify Pedobacter lusitanus NL19 cellular pathways modulated by this condition. Results were validated by qPCR and revealed 261 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 46.3% of them with a predicted biological function. Specifically, high concentration of PC significantly repressed the de novo biosynthesis of biotin (- 60X) and the production of nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) of pedopeptins (about - 14X), but no effect was observed on the expression of other NRPS. Transcription of a L-Dap synthesis operon that includes a protein with a σ70-like domain was also reduced (about - 7X). High concentrations of PC led to a significant overexpression of MFS and RND efflux pumps and a ferrous iron uptake system, suggesting the redirection of cell machinery to export compounds such as amino acids, sugars and metal divalent cations, alongside with a slight increase of iron import. KEY POINTS: • Higher concentrations of phosphate sources highly repress many operons • High concentrations of peptone from casein (PC) cause biotin's operon repression • High concentrations of PC downregulate the production of peptides of unknown function.

Body composition in Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 and 10 patients: Comparative study with control group.

Background: Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of neurodegenerative genetic diseases characterized by movement disorders that can affect nutritional status and body composition. This study sought to assess body composition in SCA3 and SCA10 patients. Methods: Anthropometric assessments and bioelectric impedance analysis were performed in 46 SCA3 and SCA10 patients and 76 controls of both genders. Results: Of the patients, 69.6% had SCA3 and 58.7% were women. SCA3 patients had significantly lower percentages of body fat (%BF) than controls (15.0 ± 6.1 vs. 20.6 ± 7.1; p=0.014) and (22.4 ± 6.9 vs. 30.1 ± 6.0; p<0.001), respectively. Among the women, there was a statistically significant difference in %BF between SCA3 and SCA10 patients (22.4 ± 6.9 vs. 32.4 ± 4.9; p<0.001). Male and female SCA3 patients had significantly lower fat-free mass (FFM) than controls [50.6 kg (46.9-54.7) vs. 58.6 kg (52.6-63.9); p=0.001] and [38.2 kg (35.1-42.6) vs. 42.8 kg (39.7-46.1); p=0.004], respectively. Male SCA10 patients also had lower FFM than controls [51.2 kg (47.1-55.4) vs. (52.6-63.9); p=0.008]. Female SCA10 patients had significantly higher FFM than controls and SCA3 patients [45.0 kg (43.3-45.6) vs. 42.8 kg (39.7-46.1); p=0.004] and [45.0 kg (43.3-45.6) vs. 38.2 kg (35.1-42.6); p=0.004], respectively. There was moderate correlation (-0.42) between disease duration and muscle mass (MM), and weak (-0.38) between SARA (Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia) and MM in SCA3. In SCA10, there was no significant correlation between these variables. Conclusion: Female SCA3 patients had more body composition changes than female SCA10 patients, mainly in relation to FFM. SCA3 and SCA10 patients need nutritional follow-up to minimize body compartment changes.

Toxicology of Lead and Its Damage to Mammalian Organs.

The toxicity of lead has been appreciated for centuries. Lead is a commonly used metal in industrialized nations, which results in the release of lead into the environment. Governmental agencies regulate the amount of lead permissible for workers to be exposed to; however, unregulated environmental lead exposure is a high concern. While essential metals have physiologic roles, there are no health benefits from lead intake. In this chapter, we discuss sources of lead exposure, the absorption, distribution, and elimination of lead from the human body, and molecular mechanisms of lead-induced toxicity. We also discuss the evidence on the association between lead exposure and blood pressure, and the influence of sociodemographic, lifestyle and environmental determinants of lead exposure in the general population. We highlight the effects on the nervous system, kidney, immune system, blood, reproductive system, and bones.

Lead Exposure and Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review.

Lead is an environmental toxicant that can induce oxidative stress (OS) via reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which has been reported as an important mechanism underlying lead toxicity (Gurer and Ercal 2000; Pande and Flora 2002; Kasperczyk et al. 2004a; Farmand et al. 2005; Verstraeten et al. 2008; Wang et al. 2009; Martinez-Haro et al. 2011). OS occurs when the generation of ROS exceeds the antioxidant system's ability to defend cells against oxidized molecules. ROS is a term generally used to refer to free radicals derived from O2 (e.g., superoxide anions [O2-] and hydroxyl radicals [OH-]) or to non-radical species (e.g. hydrogen peroxide [H2O2]) (Halliwell and Cross 1994).

Fermentative behavior of Saccharomyces strains during microvinification of raspberry juice (Rubus idaeus L.).

Sixteen different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces bayanus were evaluated in the production of raspberry fruit wine. Raspberry juice sugar concentrations were adjusted to 16° Brix with a sucrose solution, and batch fermentations were performed at 22 °C. Various kinetic parameters, such as the conversion factors of the substrates into ethanol (Y(p/s)), biomass (Y(x/s)), glycerol (Y(g/s)) and acetic acid (Y(ac/s)), the volumetric productivity of ethanol (Q(p)), the biomass productivity (P(x)), and the fermentation efficiency (E(f)) were calculated. Volatile compounds (alcohols, ethyl esters, acetates of higher alcohols and volatile fatty acids) were determined by gas chromatography (GC-FID). The highest values for the E(f), Y(p/s), Y(g/s), and Y(x/s) parameters were obtained when strains commonly used in the fuel ethanol industry (S. cerevisiae PE-2, BG, SA, CAT-1, and VR-1) were used to ferment raspberry juice. S. cerevisiae strain UFLA FW 15, isolated from fruit, displayed similar results. Twenty-one volatile compounds were identified in raspberry wines. The highest concentrations of total volatile compounds were found in wines produced with S. cerevisiae strains UFLA FW 15 (87,435 µg/L), CAT-1 (80,317.01 µg/L), VR-1 (67,573.99 µg/L) and S. bayanus CBS 1505 (71,660.32 µg/L). The highest concentrations of ethyl esters were 454.33 µg/L, 440.33 µg/L and 438 µg/L for S. cerevisiae strains UFLA FW 15, VR-1 and BG, respectively. Similar to concentrations of ethyl esters, the highest concentrations of acetates (1927.67 µg/L) and higher alcohols (83,996.33 µg/L) were produced in raspberry wine from S. cerevisiae UFLA FW 15. The maximum concentration of volatile fatty acids was found in raspberry wine produced by S. cerevisiae strain VR-1. We conclude that S. cerevisiae strain UFLA FW 15 fermented raspberry juice and produced a fruit wine with low concentrations of acids and high concentrations of acetates, higher alcohols and ethyl esters.

Continuous immobilized yeast reactor system for complete beer fermentation using spent grains and corncobs as carrier materials.

Despite extensive research carried out in the last few decades, continuous beer fermentation has not yet managed to outperform the traditional batch technology. An industrial breakthrough in favour of continuous brewing using immobilized yeast could be expected only on achievement of the following process characteristics: simple design, low investment costs, flexible operation, effective process control and good product quality. The application of cheap carrier materials of by-product origin could significantly lower the investment costs of continuous fermentation systems. This work deals with a complete continuous beer fermentation system consisting of a main fermentation reactor (gas-lift) and a maturation reactor (packed-bed) containing yeast immobilized on spent grains and corncobs, respectively. The suitability of cheap carrier materials for long-term continuous brewing was proved. It was found that by fine tuning of process parameters (residence time, aeration) it was possible to adjust the flavour profile of the final product. Consumers considered the continuously fermented beer to be of a regular quality. Analytical and sensorial profiles of both continuously and batch fermented beers were compared.

Estudo da ocorrência de lesões gástricas em cavalos de vaquejada (resultados preliminares)

O artigo não apresenta resumo.

Cytogenetics of the Brazilian whiptail lizard Cnemidophorus littoralis (Teiidae) from a restinga area (Barra de Maricá) in Southeastern Brazil

Chromosomes of Cnemidophorus littoralis, a new species of teiid lizard recently described, were studied. The animals are from a restinga area in Barra de Maricá, RJ. The karyotype presents a diploid number of 2n = 46 chromosomes and a chromosomal sex determination mechanism of the type XX:XY. Nucleolar organizer regions, Ag-NORs, are at the sixth pair of chromosomes; there is variability of size and number of the Ag-stained nucleoli on the 50 interphase nuclei for each specimen analyzed. These nucleoli are related to NOR patterns that also demonstrated variability in size and number. This paper presents the first description of the karyotype of Cnemidophorus littoralis and of a chromosomal sex determination mechanism of the XX:XY type in the genus Cnemidophorus from Southeastern Brazil.

Estudamos os cromossomos de Cnemidophorus littoralis, uma nova espécie de lagarto recentemente descrita, pertencente à família Teiidae. Os animais são oriundos de uma população de restinga na Barra de Maricá, RJ. O cariótipo apresenta número diplóide 2n = 46 cromossomos, com mecanismo cromossômico de determinação do sexo do tipo XX:XY. As regiões organizadoras do nucléolo, Ag-RONs, estão no sexto par de cromossomos. Analisamos 50 núcleos interfásicos corados pela prata para cada exemplar e observamos variação quanto ao número e ao tamanho de nucléolos; estes estão relacionados aos padrões RONs, que também apresentaram variação quanto ao tamanho e ao número. Este trabalho também descreve pela primeira vez a presença de um mecanismo de determinação cromossômica do sexo para o gênero Cnemidophorus do Sudeste do Brasil.