Abstract Material exiting the harvester is composed of chaff and straw. Chaff is a by-product of grain harvest comprises weed seeds and husk. Harvest Weed Seed Control (HWSC) systems aim at collecting and/or killing weed seeds in the chaff fraction during crop grain harvest. If chaff is removed or processed via impact mills or concentrated in a narrow zone in the field and collected, the overall weed infestation may be reduced in the following years. Chaff may be used as a new biomass feedstock, for example, as a renewable energy source, material for construction ( e.g. , insulating boards, cardboard, bedding), soil improvement ( e.g ., mulch, mushroom compost), and for agricultural purposes ( e.g. , weed growth inhibitor, animal diet). Using chaff directly is unfavorable because of its low bulk density. Therefore, compressing chaff into pellets can improve its handling. In this preliminary study, we assessed how pelletizing would affect the germinability of weed seeds in the chaff pellets. Whole wheat chaff and fine wheat chaff sieved were mixed with seeds of the two weed species scentless mayweed ( Tripleurospermum inodorum (L.) Sch.Bip.) and cornflower ( Centaurea cyanus L.), respectively. While 22% of T. inodorum seeds and 59% of C. cyanus seeds in wheat chaff samples were able to germinate, no weed seeds germinated from moist pelletized original and fine wheat chaff samples. The study indicates a low risk of spreading weed seeds with pelletized chaff probably because the heating during the pelletizing process kills the weed seeds. straw byproduct by product husk HWSC (HWSC andor collected years feedstock example source eg e g boards cardboard bedding, bedding bedding) . mulch compost, compost compost) inhibitor diet. diet diet) density Therefore handling L. L (L. Sch.Bip. SchBip Sch Bip L., L.) respectively 22 T 59 C germinate (L Sch.Bip 2 5

Resumo As células epiteliais da mucosa atuam como a primeira barreira imunológica dos organismos e entram em contato direto com os patógenos. Portanto, os hospedeiros devem ter estratégias diferenciadas para combater os patógenos de forma eficiente. Trabalhos recentes revelaram que a oxidase dupla (DUOX) desempenha um papel fundamental para a imunidade da mucosa. A DUOX é uma proteína transmembrana geradora de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) como seus principais produtos enzimáticos. Nesta revisão, apresentaremos as funções imunológicas da DUOX no trato respiratório e digestivo dos vertebrados.

Abstract Mucosal epithelial cells act as the first immunologic barrier of organisms, and contact directly with pathogens. Therefore, hosts must have differential strategies to combat pathogens efficiently. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), as a kind of oxidizing agents, participates in the early stage of killing pathogens quickly. Recent reports have revealed that dual oxidase (DUOX) plays a key role in mucosal immunity. And the DUOX is a transmembrane protein which produces ROS as their primary enzymatic products. This process is an important pattern for eliminating pathogens. In this review, we highlight the DUOX immunologic functions in the respiratory and digestive tract of vertebrates.

A relationship between oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) and parameters of Linear Quadratic (LQ) model in hypoxic and aerobic conditions in several cell lines grown as monolayer, spheroids and transplanted tumors (xenograft) is tested. By considering this relationship, the two mechanisms of cell death by radiation appear. Surviving Fraction (SF) fits are compared in both oxygenation conditions by using the LQ. The data are obtained from literature. The existence of such mechanisms and their implications in the different systems studied is shown. The validity of one or other mechanism in each case is determined and the OER dependence with dose.

Se testea una relación entre la razón de mejora por oxigeno (OER) y los parámetros de radiosensibilidad del modelo Lineal Cuadrático (LQ) en condiciones hipóxicas y aeróbicas de oxigenación, en varias líneas celulares cultivadas en monocapa, esferoides y tumores trasplantados (xenograft). Considerando dicha relación aparecen los dos mecanismos de muerte celular por irradiación. Se comparan ajustes de la Fracción de Sobrevida (SF) en ambas condiciones de oxigenación usando el modelo LQ. Los datos son obtenidos de bibliografía. Se muestra la existencia de dichos mecanismos y su implicancia en los diferentes sistemas estudiados. Se determina la validez de uno u otro mecanismo en cada caso, y la dependencia de OER con la dosis.

El 3 de mayo de 2003 un fuerte terremoto de 20 segundos golpeó Turquía del este a las 3:27 de la madrugada, éste destruyó un internado regional en donde 83 estudiantes y 1 maestro fallecieron. Los niños expuestos a desastres están en riesgo sufrir una variedad de dificultades con respecto a su salud mental, así como problemas sociales y académicos. El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar el grado de comorbilidad entre los adolescentes sobrevivientes al terremoto. Un año después de la catástrofe 191 adolescentes completaron el Índice de Reacción de Desorden de Estrés Postraumático en Niños CPTSD y el Sistema de Evaluación de Conducta BASC. Estos adolescentes fueron divididos en grupos de PTSD (Desorden de Estrés Postraumático) positivo y grupos que no presentaban PTSD. De esta manera, se llevaron a cabo análisis de varianza ANOVA para probar las diferencias de grupo y de género en las subescalas BASC (Sistema de Evaluación de Conducta para Niños). El análisis de correlación reveló algunas asociaciones significativas entre el CPTSD RI y las subescalas BASC. Múltiples análisis de regresión stepwise (paso a paso) fueron utilizados para predecir la contribución de cada una de las subescalas BASC SRP A. La depresión fue el mayor contribuyente, lo que representa el 23% de la varianza total. La siguiente variable que contribuye significativamente fue atípica al 6%. Esto fue seguido por la búsqueda de sensaciones, con una variación del 4%. Por último, la actitud hacia la escuela añadió un 2% a la predicción para el PTSD. Estas cuatro variables juntas explicaron el 35% de la varianza de la puntuación total del CPTSD RI (r.585, r²=.35 p<.05). Estas variables también se correlacionan con las subescalas de RI CPTSD de re-experimentación, evitación e hiperexcitación. Las implicaciones transculturales también fueron discutidas en referencia a la catástrofe y otros trastornos.

On May 3rd, 2003, a strong earthquake hit the eastern part of Turkey at 03:27 a.m. and lasted 20 seconds. It destroyed a regional boarding school killing 83 students and 1 teacher. Disaster-exposed children are at risk for a variety of mental health, social, and academic problems. This research was designed to investigate the extent of comorbidity among adolescent earthquake survivors. One hundred and ninety-one adolescents were given the Child Post Traumatic Stress Reaction Index and the Behavior Assessment Systems one year after the earthquake. The adolescents were divided into PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) positive and non PTSD groups. Multivariate ANOVAs were then conducted to test group and gender differences on the BASC subscales. Correlation analysis revealed some significant associations between the CPTSD RI and BASC subscales. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to predict the contribution of each of the BASC SRP A subscales. Depression was the strongest contributor, accounting for 23% of the total variance. The next most significant contributing variable was atypicality, at 6%. This was followed by sensation-seeking, with a 4% variance. Finally attitude to school added another 2% to the prediction for PTSD. These four variables, together, explained 35% of the variance in the CPTSD RI total score (r.585, r²=.35 p<.05). Those variables also correlated with the CPTSD RI subscales of re-experiencing, avoidance and hyperarousal. Cross- cultural implications were also discussed in reference to the disaster and other disorders.

Neisseria meningitidis outer membrane (OM) adhesins, Opa and Opc are known to exert significant influence on bacterial adhesion and invasion properties. They are also likely to affect the dynamics of cellular barrier penetration as they target human receptors that are subject to upregulation under inflammatory conditions. As some of the targeted receptors are also expressed on immune cells, it is possible that the OM proteins, when presented on bacteria or in OM vesicle vaccines, have the additional capacity to modulate host immune responses. In our recent studies, in vitro model systems were used to further explore these possibilities. The studies illustrated that the major human receptors targeted by Opa and Opc, i.e. CEACAMs and integrins, when upregulated by inflammatory cytokines, encourage enhanced cellular adhesion, invasion and barrier traversal. Tissue infiltration by fully capsulate bacteria via Opa proteins was also observed for piliated Opa+ meningococci. Other studies indicate that Opc increases meningococcal resistance to serum-mediated killing by binding to the complement regulatory molecule vitronectin. In addition, although adverse immunomodulatory effects have been reported for Opa-expressing gonococci and meningococcal OMVs, our studies indicate that interactions with CD4+ T cell expressed CEACAM1 does not offer immunomodulatory properties to meningococci.

Cancer cell inhibitors, named Atroporin and Kaotree, having molecular weights of 35 kDa and 6 kDa have been isolated from the venoms of Crotalus atrox and Naja naja kaouthia, respectively, by fractionation on high pressure liquid chromatography. The purified Atroporin and Kaotree showed killing effects on various types of human (breast, colon, liver, ovary, etc.) and animal cancer cells in concentrations as low as 0.5µg/ml, and having no effect on normal mouse kidney, liver, spleen, and erythrocytes up to 5.0µg/ml. Both Atroporin and Kaotree prevent the formation of ascitic tumors caused by myeloma cells in Balb/C mice. In addition, both Atroporin and Kaotree showed regression of ascitic tumors formed by myeloma cells. Atroporin and Kaotree complement each other, as in combination they showed elevated anti-cancer activity in vitro and in vivo systems. However, Atroporin and Kaotree are immunologically distinct proteins showing no cross reactivity. Atroporin and Kaotree, individually or in combination, have the potential for cancer biotherapy.