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Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diodes Technology for the Reduction of Micro-Organisms in Apple Juice
No full textThe aims of these investigations were to study the efficacy of UV-C light emitting diode systems (LED) operating at 263 nm and 279 nm for the inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115, Salmonella enterica serovar Muenchen ATCC BAA 1764 and Escherichia coli ATCC 35150 in apple juice. Specific bacteria concentrations were inoculated in apple juice and irradiated at the specified UV doses ranging between 0 to 12 mJ·cm–2. Additionally, higher UV irradiation doses that ranged between 0 to 160 mJ·cm–2 were delivered to the apple juice; and both polyphenols and vitamins were profiled via LC-MS/MS analysis. The polyphenol and vitamin results demonstrated that UV-C irradiation in apple juices at relevant commercial UV doses induced significant reductions in the concentrations of selected polyphenols and vitamins, p \u3c 0.05. The log reduction kinetics of microorganisms followed log-linear and with higher R2 (\u3e 0.95). The D10 values of 4.16 and 3.84 mJ·cm–2 were obtained from the inactivation of Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes, at 263nm; and 3.56 and 3.50 mJ·cm–2 for Salmonella Muenchen and Listeria monocytogenes, respectively at 279nm. Current results also indicate that high temperature and longer exposure times can affected levels of bioactive compounds in apple juice. Ultrasound exposures retained the bioactive content of apple juice. In contrast, ozone degraded the polyphenols. The degradation was a function of ozone concentration and exposure time. The need to optimize processes in terms of bioactive retention in beverages, demands more bench research to streamline processes and requires further optimization
Increasing STEM Grit among Underrepresented Groups: Lessons from Our Fathers
Get PDFResearch indicates that students with a high level of Grit and self-efficacy have higher levels of academic achievement. Grit is comprised of passion (consistency of interest) and perseverance of effort, for long-term goals. The purpose of this model is to increase Grit among underrepresented groups. It utilizes one aspect of self-efficacy, “vicarious experiences”, to increase STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Grit among underrepresented groups. Historical contributions from individuals from underrepresented groups in STEM fields are used vicariously to promote student Grit by showing examples of perseverance resulting in academic excellence. This model has implications for curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional development, and public policy articulation
Utilizing Parent and Educator Self Efficacy and Grit Training to Encourage the Pursuit of STEM Careers for Elementary Students from Traditionally Underrepresented Groups
Get PDFIn the United States, there is an increased demand for professionals in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Research indicates that individuals with higher levels of self-efficacy and grit have higher levels of academic achievement. Traditional research has focused on the self-efficacy and grit of students. Realizing the impact that parents and educators have in the lives of students, the purpose of this model is to determine the effect that parent and educator self-efficacy and grit training has on the pursuit of STEM careers for elementary students from traditionally underrepresented groups. The data gathered, will examine the impact that professional development has on student career choice. This model has implications for curriculum development, professional development, instruction and policy articulation
Building soil by building community: How can an interdisciplinary approach better support community needs and urban resilience
Get PDFGiven the interrelated problems of climate change, energy and resource scarcity, and the challenge of supporting critical natural systems in cities, urban dwellers may be exceptionally vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. While a number of programs and policies have been developed and implemented to help reduce the environmental and social impacts of climate change on communities, we argue that effective and sustainable programs must not only consider how the changing environment impacts communities, but also how communities interact with and impact the environment. Specifically, drawing on a case study of the needs assessment of the Healthy Soils for Healthy Communities Initiative conducted in Los Angeles (LA) County, CA as a model for a Virtuous Cycle Framework, we attempted to better understand how urban residents interact with land, green spaces, and soil as a means of finding ways to address some of the environmental and health disparities that many urban residents experience, while also exploring ways to improve soil health to support its capacity to provide essential ecosystem services (e.g., carbon sequestration, water filtration, food and biomass production). A unique feature of our approach is that it involved an interdisciplinary and multi-level partnership composed of a well-established environmental organization dedicated to urban forestry, environmental justice, and climate resilience, university faculty researchers who study human behavior and human-nature relationships, government partners, and, most importantly, community members, among others. The first step in understanding how community members interact with their environment involved collecting survey and focus group data from residents of LA County to assess attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors around land and soil. Results were used to explore strategies for deepening community engagement, addressing knowledge gaps, and shaping policies that would benefit not just people who live/work in LA, but also the soil and other natural systems that rely on soil. This article integrates our previously published survey and focus group findings with new results that pertain specifically to the Virtuous Cycle Framework, and demonstrates how the data are being used to inform our community-based interventions (e.g., policy change, public education and community engagement, and demonstration projects)
Comparative transcriptomics reveals small RNA composition and differential microRNA responses underlying interferon-mediated antiviral regulation in porcine alveolar macrophages
Get PDFPrevious studies have shown that interferon-mediated antiviral activity is subtype-dependent. Using a whole transcriptome procedure, we aimed to characterize the small RNA transcriptome (sRNA-Seq) and specifically the differential microRNA (miRNA) responses in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) upon antiviral activation during viral infection and interferon (IFN) stimulation. Data showed that near 90% of the qualified reads of sRNA were miRNAs, and about 10% of the other sRNAs included rRNA, snoRNA, snRNA, and tRNA in order of enrichment. As the majority of sRNA (\u3e98%) were commonly detected in all PAM samples under different treatments, about 2% sRNA were differentially expressed between the different antiviral treatments. Focusing on miRNA, 386 miRNA were profiled, including 331 known and 55 novel miRNA sequences, of which most were ascribed to miRNA families conserved among vertebrates, particularly mammalian species. Of the miRNA profiles comparably generated across the different treatments, in general, significantly differentially expressed miRNA (SEM) demonstrated that: (1) the wild-type and vaccine strains of a porcine arterivirus (a.k.a., PRRSV) induced nearly reversed patterns of up- or down-regulated SEMs; (2) similar SEM patterns were found among the treatments by the vaccine strain and antiviral IFN-α1/-ω5 subtypes; and (3) the weak antiviral IFN-ω1, however, remarked a suppressive SEM pattern as to SEMs upregulated in the antiviral treatments by the vaccine and IFN-α1/-ω5 subtypes. Further articulation identified SEMs commonly or uniquely expressed in different treatments, and experimentally validated that some SEMs including miR-10b and particularly miR-9-1 acted significantly in regulation of differential antiviral reactions stimulated by different IFN subtypes. Therefore, this study provides a general picture of porcine sRNA composition and pinpoints key SEMs underlying antiviral regulation in PAMs correlated to a typical respiratory RNA virus in pigs
Recent Advances in Probiotic Application in Animal Health and Nutrition: A Review
Get PDFBiotechnological advances in animal health and nutrition continue to play a significant role in the improvement of animal health, growth, and production performance. These biotechnological advancements, especially the use of direct-fed microbials, also termed probiotics, those genetically modified and otherwise, have minimized many challenges facing livestock production around the world. Such advancements result in healthy animals and animal products, such as meat, for a growing population worldwide. Increasing demand for productivity, healthy animals, and consumer food safety concerns, especially those emanating from excessive use of antibiotics or growth promoters, are a driving force for investing in safer alternatives, such as probiotics. The advent of vastly diverse pathogens and bacterial organisms, some of which have acquired antimicrobial resistance due to therapeutic use of these antibiotics, has had a negative impact on the animal and food industries. Probiotics have been chosen as substitutes to counter this excessive use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. Over the last decade, probiotics have gained recognition, increased in importance, and stimulated growing interest in the animal health and nutrition industry. Probiotics are considered to be favorable live microorganisms by the host organism by maintaining microbial homeostasis and healthy gut, and can be a viable alternative to antibiotics in addition to providing other growth-promoting properties. Even though various studies describe the modes of action of probiotics, more research is needed to illuminate the exact mechanism of action of probiotics and how they benefit the host. This review describes the importance of probiotics in animal health, nutrition, and in growth and production performance. It also provides a thorough review of recent advances in probiotics research and application in animal health and nutrition and future directions on probiotic research to enhance animal performance
Anticancer Activity of Senna Leaf and Fenugreek Seed Against Two Cell Lines
No full textCancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The most common cases of cancer are breast cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia, thyroid cancer, bladder cancer, and liver cancer. Cancer treatment represents a major challenge for governments and the health and pharmaceutical fields, due to the high cost in addition to the presence of side effects. Plants are a rich source of secondary metabolites, which contain therapeutic properties for many diseases, in addition to cancers. The sole purpose of the study was to determine the advantages of using natural cancer treatments such as the use of Senna Leaves and Fenugreek Seeds. Experimental method: different concentrations of extracts of Senna Leaves and Fenugreek Seeds were exposed to cancer cell lines taken from lung and prostate. Cell viability, Caspase-3 antagonist to detect apoptosis, and peroxidation of lipid assays as antioxidant activity were measured. It was found that the cell viability decreased in general with increasing concentration of extracts in PC3 and A549 cancer cells. MDA level activities were reduced demonstrating reduction of lipid peroxidation in the cancer cell. The study also showed an increase in the production of Caspase-3 enzyme in PC3 and A549 when the concentration of the extracts increased. The results showed that Senna Leaf extract and Fenugreek Seed had high efficacy against cancerous cells, which could be an effective treatment or prevention of cancers caused by PC-3 and A549 cell strains
