Search Results (8)

This study evaluated the effect of applying tea tree essential oil (TTEO) on the sensory, microbiological, and antioxidant quality of grated anco squash (Cucurbita moschata). To this end, different application methodologies and concentrations of TTEO were applied to the product, and their effect on sensory characteristics, microbiological quality and bioactive compounds was evaluated. The anco squash was washed, disinfected, cut, peeled, grated, and then treated with TTEO at concentrations of 4 and 8 μL/mL using different application methods: spraying (TS), immersion (TI), and absorbent strips impregnated with EO attached to the trays to generate vapors (TV). In addition, an immersion treatment with NaClO (100 ppm, 3 min) (TH) and a water-immersion control (TC) were included. All samples were packaged in PVC trays, sealed with 35 µm polypropylene bags, and stored at 5 °C for 8 days. According to sensory evaluation, TTEO spray treatments (TS) maintained the highest scores until day 4, and were therefore identified as the most effective strategy for application. Antioxidant capacity initially increased for all TTEO treatments compared to the control, while phenolic compound levels remained stable and carotenoid content decreased progressively during storage. Overall, TTEO treatments maintained the quality of grated anco squash for up to 4 days at 5 °C, highlighting their potential to improve nutraceutical properties and extend shelf life when integrated with complementary preservation technologies. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of different UV-C radiation doses combined with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the conservation of minimally processed grated anco squash. The squash, obtained from producers in Santiago del Estero (Argentina), was washed, sanitized, cut, peeled, grated, and centrifuged. It was then subjected to UV-C treatments of 5 kJ/m² (T5), 15 kJ/m² (T15), 30 kJ/m² (T30), and 50 kJ/m² (T50). An immersion treatment with NaClO (100 ppm, 3 min) (TH) and an untreated control (TC) were also included. All samples were packaged in PVC trays and sealed with 35 μm polypropylene film, forming a passive MAP. Treatments T5 and T15 preserved acceptable sensory quality for up to 8 days, and no significant differences in color parameters were observed among treatments during storage. Overall, PC decreased by 12–20% and C by 15–37%, while AC increased by 15–40% after 8 days. Treatments T15, T30, and T50 effectively reduced psychrophilic microorganisms for up to 4 days, achieving reductions of 1–2 log compared to TH and TC (6 log CFU/g). By day 8, all treatments reached the microbial limit. In conclusion, the T15 treatment was the most suitable for preserving grated anco squash for up to 4 days at 5 °C, offering a potential alternative to sodium hypochlorite–based sanitization. Full article

The impact of Co-addition (x = 0, 2, 4, and 6 at. %) in the as-cast and annealed Ni₅₀Mn_37.5Sn_12.5 Heusler alloy at 900 °C for 24 h on the microstructure, magnetic properties, and the martensitic transition was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and differential scanning calorimetry. The crystal structure of as-cast samples consists of a 14M modulated martensite structure, a face-centered (FCC) γ phase, and a face-centered tetragonal (FCT) MnNi-type phase L1₀. The as-cast samples show a dendritic microstructure with different contrasts and non-uniform distribution. The annealed samples exhibit dual 14M and γ phases for the Co0 and Co2, but 14M + γ + MnNi for the Co4 and Co6. The appearance of the martensitic transformation in the annealed Co0 and Co2 samples can be due to the disappearance of the dendritic microstructure. The characteristic temperatures (martensite start, Ms; martensite finish, Mf; austenite start, As; and austenite finish, Af) decrease with Co addition. A ferromagnetic-like order exists at a lower temperature of 1.8 K for the as-cast and annealed samples and decreases at 300 K. The annealing increases the fraction of the AFM contributions at 300 K. The exchange bias values of the Co0, An-Co2, and An-Co6 are 146.7 Oe, 24 O2, and 32.6 Oe, respectively, at 300 K. Full article

Mutations in the gene ankyrin repeat domain containing 11 (ANKRD11/ANCO1) play a role in neurodegenerative disorders, and its loss of heterozygosity and low expression are seen in some cancers. Here, we show that low ANCO1 mRNA and protein expression levels are prognostic markers for poor clinical outcomes in breast cancer and that loss of nuclear ANCO1 protein expression predicts lower overall survival of patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Knockdown of ANCO1 in early-stage TNBC cells led to aneuploidy, cellular senescence, and enhanced invasion in a 3D matrix. The presence of a subpopulation of ANCO1-depleted cells enabled invasion of the overall cell population in vitro and they converted more rapidly to invasive lesions in a xenograft mouse model. In ANCO1-depleted cells, ChIP-seq analysis showed a global increase in H3K27Ac signals that were enriched for AP-1, TEAD, STAT3, and NFκB motifs. ANCO1-regulated H3K27Ac peaks had a significantly higher overlap with known breast cancer enhancers compared to ANCO1-independent ones. H3K27Ac engagement was associated with transcriptional activation of genes in the PI3K-AKT, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and senescence pathways. In conclusion, ANCO1 has hallmarks of a tumor suppressor whose loss of expression activates breast-cancer-specific enhancers and oncogenic pathways that can accelerate the early-stage progression of breast cancer. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a phytogenic premix (PP) on the production performance and critical genes relevant to the detoxification (i.e., aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway) and antioxidant (i.e., nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathway) response in the duodenum of laying hens. The PP was based on bioactive substances derived from ginger, lemon balm, oregano, and thyme (Anco FIT-Poultry). A total of 385 20 week old Hy-Line Brown layers were assigned to five dietary treatments with seven replicates of 11 hens each for a 12-week feeding trial. The experimental treatments included a corn–soybean meal basal diet with no PP (CON) or supplemented with PP at 500 (P500), 750 (P750), 1000 (P1000), and 1500 mg/kg diet (P1500). The overall (1–12 weeks) laying rate (p < 0.001) and egg mass (p = 0.008) were significantly increased in the P1000 group compared with the CON. At the duodenum, increasing dietary PP inclusion levels beneficially affected (p ≤ 0.05) the expression of the majority of the AhR and Nrf2 pathway genes studied. In conclusion, according to the gene expression analysis, PP inclusion resulted in a reduced requirement for detoxification and an increased antioxidant capacity, with most of the effects seen at the PP inclusion range of 750 to 1000 mg/kg diet. Full article

The use of green compost is a suitable technology to recycle organic waste into environmentally friendly soil improvement mitigating the pressure on landfills and contributing to sustainability. Among the major nutrients, phosphorus (P) stands at a significant position for seed and fruit quality, photosynthesis, and metabolic function in plants. This work evaluates the effects of different doses of mineral/organic fertilizers on two durum wheat cultivars: Anco Marzio and Vespucci. The fertilization trials compared one unfertilized control test and six treatments performed with different types of fertilizers (four minerals and two organics, based on green compost). Grain yield, compared with the unfertilized control, increased with the mineral fertilization by 125.5% for Anco Marzio and 136.42% for Vespucci, while organic fertilization alone determined an increase of 25.52% and 30.92% for Anco Marzio and Vespucci, respectively. The contribution of a higher dose of phosphorus (140 kg ha⁻¹), combined with nitrogen and potassium, favored a further increase in grain production (+9.34%), compared with 100 kg ha⁻¹. The content of chlorophylls and carotenoids was highly increased (5%) in both the cultivars by all kinds of phosphate fertilization, whereas an increase in the phosphate content of caryopses resulted in Anco Marzio across the two years but not in Vespucci. Among the two cultivars of durum wheat, Vespucci produced a greater quantity of grains but with a less vitreous consistency and poorer in proteins than Anco Marzio. The fertilization management also influenced the wheat behavior to stripe yellow rust attack by showing the highest index severity with the compost-based fertilization. The best management of fertilizers associated with the use of more phosphorus-use-efficient genotypes, are essential for improving quality and for the development of a sustainable agriculture. Full article

The aim of our study was to determine COVID-19 syndromic phenotypes in a data-driven manner using the survey results based on survey results from Carnegie Mellon University’s Delphi Group. Monthly survey results (>1 million responders per month; 320,326 responders with a certain COVID-19 test status and disease duration <30 days were included in this study) were used sequentially in identifying and validating COVID-19 syndromic phenotypes. Logistic Regression-weighted multiple correspondence analysis (LRW-MCA) was used as a preprocessing procedure, in order to weigh and transform symptoms recorded by the survey to eigenspace coordinates, capturing a total variance of >75%. These scores, along with symptom duration, were subsequently used by the Two Step Clustering algorithm to produce symptom clusters. Post-hoc logistic regression models adjusting for age, gender, and comorbidities and confirmatory linear principal components analyses were used to further explore the data. Model creation, based on August’s 66,165 included responders, was subsequently validated in data from March–December 2020. Five validated COVID-19 syndromes were identified in August: 1. Afebrile (0%), Non-Coughing (0%), Oligosymptomatic (ANCOS); 2. Febrile (100%) Multisymptomatic (FMS); 3. Afebrile (0%) Coughing (100%) Oligosymptomatic (ACOS); 4. Oligosymptomatic with additional self-described symptoms (100%; OSDS); 5. Olfaction/Gustatory Impairment Predominant (100%; OGIP). Our findings indicate that the COVID-19 spectrum may be undetectable when applying current disease definitions focusing on respiratory symptoms alone. Full article

The European “Green Deal” strategy is aimed at making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 through integrated actions relying on healthier agricultural systems grounded in (environmental and economic) sustainable practices, including soil carbon management and biodiversity enhancement. In this vein, the present study contrasts the economic-environmental performances of conventional (deep tillage) and conservative (no-tillage and soil ripping) practices for two varieties of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum spp. durum), namely a modern (Anco Marzio) and an ancient landrace (Saragolla Lucana) variety in the Basilicata region (Southern Italy). Field and laboratory analysis (granulometry, mineralogy, and geochemistry) as well as satellite data (RapidEye) were used to characterize the soil and vegetation patterns. The empirical results indicate a higher biomass production and vegetative potential together with higher grain yields in soils managed with conventional deep tillage compared with soil managed with conservative practices. Similarly, the modern wheat variety exhibited better performance with respect to the old landrace. The soils managed with conventional practices had a distribution of exchangeable macro-nutrients characterized by a reduction in Ca⁺ and an increase in Mg²⁺ and K⁺ between pre-sowing and post-harvesting. Such a distribution was also genotype-dependent, with a higher variability for Saragolla Lucana than Anco Marzio, showing a diverging adsorption of macro-elements between the modern and ancient landrace varieties. Full article