Commercial Media Research Articles

Recycling potato waste for the production of blue pigments by Streptomyces lydicus PM7 through submerged fermentation

BackgroundDiscarded potato is the most abundant potato waste and represents a worldwide disposal problem to the potato industry. This agricultural waste contains valuable nutrients that could be used as substrate to obtain diverse high value-added microbial products, such as biopigments. The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of discarded potato as a sole substrate source for producing blue pigments by Streptomyces lydicus PM7 through submerged fermentation.ResultsInitially, the traditional culture medium ISP2 was established as suitable for inoculum preparation, as it allowed high growth rates and consumption of ~ 75% reducing sugar, leading to 1.3 g L−1 dry biomass at 72 h of incubation. The formulated discarded potato broth (DPB) medium was evaluated together with five other traditional liquid culture media (potato dextrose broth, ISP2, ISP3, ISP4, and ISP5) for producing blue pigments by S. lydicus PM7. The highest blue pigment production was obtained by using DPB medium, reaching ~ 0.97 g L−1, followed by ISP5 (~ 0.36 g L−1). In terms of evaluating the concentration of discarded potato powder, the highest concentration of blue pigments was obtained with 16 g L−1, compared to concentrations of 4, 8, and 32 g L−1. In general, a notable increase in total proteins (~ 14 g L−1 in biomass; ~ 8 g L−1 in medium) and reducing sugars (~ 5 g L−1) on the fifth day of DPB fermentation was observed, at which time the production of blue pigments began. These data proved that S. lydicus PM7 is able to degrade potato wastes during submerged fermentation and to direct metabolism towards the formation of biopigments. Chromatographic analysis revealed that the main blue pigment produced by new strain in this complex medium is actinorhodin.ConclusionsDiscarded potato favored the production of blue pigments by S. lydicus PM7 under submerged fermentation, leading to final product concentration almost three times higher than others traditional Streptomyces culture media. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the production of actinorhodin by the specie S. lydicus, as well as on this pigment synthesis based on an agricultural waste as a sole nutrient source for fermentation process. The findings showed that potato waste could be a potential byproduct for replacement of commercial culture media using for this same purpose.Graphical

A retrospective analysis of sheep generated by somatic cell nuclear transfer

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is one of the primary methods for production of genetically engineered sheep, which allows for gene editing or transgene introduction in somatic cells. The use of SCNT eliminates the risk of genetic mosaicism in embryos and animals that is commonly observed after zygote micromanipulations. This retrospective analysis of SCNT in sheep performed at Utah State University, spanning from 2016 to 2021, examined parameters that may impact pregnancy and full-term development, including donor oocytes (donor age), donor cell lines, SCNT parameters (time of oocyte activation following SCNT, number of transferred embryos, in vitro maturation and culture conditions), and recipients (surgical number and ovulatory status), as well as factors that may correlate with large offspring syndrome or abnormal offspring syndrome (LOS/AOS) in the fetuses and lambs. Our findings indicated that compared to prepubertal oocytes, the SCNT embryos produced from adult sheep oocytes had comparable in vitro maturation rates, pregnancy and full-term development rates, as well as SCNT efficiency. In addition, earlier activation time of SCNT embryos (e.g. 24–26 h post maturation) was correlated to the early pregnancy loss rate, full-term rate, and SCNT efficiency. Compared to our standard serum-containing medium, commercial serum-free culture medium showed a positive correlation with the full-term development of sheep SCNT embryos. Transferring 15–30 embryos per recipient resulted in consistently good pregnancy rates. Surgical numbers and ovulatory status (having at least one follicle between 6 and 12 mm in size or a corpus hemorrhagicum (CH)) of recipients did not affect pregnancy and full-term development rates. In summary, this retrospective analysis identified parameters for improving pregnancy and full-term development of SCNT embryos in sheep.

Valorization of Sugarcane Bagasse for Co-Production of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and Bacteriocin Using Bacillus cereus Strain S356.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) is an attractive biodegradable plastic alternative to petroleum-based plastic. However, the cost of microbial-based bioplastic production mainly lies in the cultivation medium. In this study, we screened the isolates capable of synthesizing P(3HB) using sugarcane bagasse (SCB) waste as a carbon source from 79 Bacillus isolates that had previously shown P(3HB) production using a commercial medium. The results revealed that isolate S356, identified as Bacillus cereus using 16S rDNA and gyrB gene analysis, had the highest P(3HB) accumulation. The highest P(3HB) yield (5.16 g/L, 85.3% of dry cell weight) was achieved by cultivating B. cereus S356 in an optimal medium with 1.5% total reducing sugar with SCB hydrolysate as the carbon source and 0.25% yeast extract as the nitrogen source. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed the accumulation of approximately 3-5 P(3HB) granules in each B. cereus S356 cell. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses confirmed that the polymer extracted from B. cereus S356 was P(3HB). Notably, during cultivation for P(3HB) plastic production, B. cereus S356 also secreted bacteriocin, which had high antibacterial activity against the same species (Bacillus cereus). Overall, this work demonstrated the possibility of co-producing eco-friendly biodegradable plastic P(3HB) and bacteriocin from renewable resources using the potential of B. cereus S356.

Fruit and vegetable waste used as bacterial growth media for the biocementation of two geomaterials

This paper investigates the feasibility of using randomly collected fruit and vegetable (FV) waste as a cheap growing medium of bacteria for biocementation applications. Biocementation has been proposed in the literature as an environmentally-friendly ground improvement method to increase the stability of geomaterials, prevent erosion and encapsulate waste, but currently suffers from the high costs involved, such as bacteria cultivation costs. After analysis of FV waste of varied composition in terms of sugar and protein content, diluted FV waste was used to grow ureolytic (S. pasteurii, and B.licheniformis) and also an autochthonous heterotrophic carbonic anhydase (CA)-producing B.licheniformis strain, whose growth in FV media had not been attempted before. Bacterial growth and enzymatic activity in FV were of appropriate levels, although reduced compared to commercial media. Namely, the CA-producing B.licheniformis had a maximum OD600 of 1.799 and a CA activity of 0.817 U/mL in FV media. For the ureolytic pathway, B. licheniformis reached a maximum OD600 of 0.986 and a maximum urease activity of 0.675 mM urea/min, and S. pasteurii a maximum OD600 = 0.999 and a maximum urease activity of 0.756 mM urea/min. Biocementation of a clay and locomotive ash, a geomaterial specific to UK railway embankments, using precultured bacteria in FV was then proven, based on recorded unconfined compressive strengths of 1–3 MPa and calcite content increases of up to 4.02 and 8.62 % for the clay and ash respectively. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), attested the formation of bioprecipitates with characteristic morphologies and elementary composition of calcite crystals. These findings suggest the potential of employing FV to biocement these problematic geomaterials and are of wider relevance for environmental and geoenvironmental applications involving bioaugmentation. Such applications that require substrates in very large quantities can help tackle the management of the very voluminous fruit and vegetable waste produced worldwide.

O-096 Human fallopian tube organoids provide a favorable environment for sperm motility

Abstract Study question Does a human fallopian tube (HFT) organoid model offer a favorable apical environment for human sperm survival and motility? Summary answer The apical compartment of a new model of human fallopian tube organoids provides after differentiation a favorable environment for sperm motility. What is known already Human fallopian tubes are the site of major events that are crucial for achieving an ongoing pregnancy, such as gamete survival and competence, fertilization steps, and preimplantation embryo development. In order to better understand the tubal physiology and tubal factors involved in these reproductive functions, and to improve still suboptimal in vitro conditions for gametes preparation and embryo culture during In Vitro Fertilization IVF, we sought to develop a human fallopian tube organoid model from isolated adult stem cells allowing spermatozoa coculture in the apical compartment. Study design, size, duration Over a two-year period, fallopian tube tissues were collected for organoid culture purposes from 10 “donor” patients undergoing bilateral salpingectomy by laparoscopy for definitive sterilization. After tissue digestion, adult stem cells from the isthmus and ampulla regions were separately seeded in 3D Matrigel and cultured with conventional growth factors for organoid culture and specific factors for differentiation of the female genital tract. Participants/materials, setting, methods HFT organoids were characterized by light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and transcriptomic analysis. Following simultaneous organoid culture on specific inserts, spermatozoa from five donors were placed either in control media or in the apical compartment of colon or HFT organoids (isthmus and ampulla separately) for 96 hours. Vitality and motility were assessed at 0, 48, and 96 hours on 200 spermatozoa in each condition and in duplicate and compared using Wilcoxon test. Main results and the role of chance Specific fallopian tube differentiation of our model was confirmed by immunofluorescence, transcriptome analysis and electron microscopy observations that exhibited ciliary and secretory cells. We succeeded in releasing spermatozoa in the apical compartment of HFT organoids and in recovering them for sperm analysis. Sperm vitality values are similar in HFT organoids and in commercial sperm media. We demonstrated a superiority of HFT organoid apical compartment for sperm motility compared with other controls (colon organoids, organoid culture media, and conventional commercial sperm washing and fertilization media). At 48 hours of incubation, progressive sperm motility was higher in the apical compartment of HFT organoids (ampulla 30.6% ±17.3, isthmus 29.3% ±14.8) than in commercial fertilization media (15.3% ±14.6) (p < 0.05) and compared with all other conditions. At 96 hours progressive sperm motility was almost nil (<1%) in all conditions except for spermatozoa within HFT organoids (p < 0.05): 11.5% ±14.7 and 12.9% ±16.9 in ampulla and isthmus organoids, respectively. Limitations, reasons for caution This was an in vitro study in which conditions of organoid culture could not exactly mimic the in vivo environment of extracellular matrix and the vascularization of fallopian tubes. Wider implications of the findings This work opens up perspectives for better understanding of HFT physiology. For the first time, it highlights the possibility of developing HFT organoids for reproductive purposes. In the future, it could help us to improve gametes fertilizing abilities and culture conditions of embryos during human assisted reproductive technologies. Trial registration number not applicable

P-241 The in vivo human uterine pH and uterine fluid composition differs from pH and composition of clinically used in vitro preimplantation embryo culture media

Abstract Study question To study the pH and uterine fluid composition in the human uterus three days after a positive LH test or ovum pick-up. Summary answer The uterine pH three days after a positive LH test or ovum pick-up was 6.8. Concentrations of 37 components were determined in uterine fluid. What is known already In assisted reproductive technologies (ART), the in vitro culture of human preimplantation embryos is known to play a crucial role in the success of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments. It affects live birth rates and child outcomes such as birth weight. Numerous commercial embryo culture media are routinely used in clinical practice worldwide, but their composition is primarily based on laboratory-based clinical insights and experimental studies with animal models. Studies on the natural human preimplantation embryo environment during the physiologically relevant time of the menstrual cycle are limited. Study design, size, duration A cross sectional clinical study was conducted to study the uterine pH and the composition of human uterine fluid. The uterine pH was measured in 53 women on the third day after LH surge (N = 46) or ovum pickup (N = 7), as that time in the menstrual cycle is associated with endometrial receptivity for embryo implantation. Twenty-two samples of aspirated uterine fluid, that were collected at the same time, were analyzed for the concentrations of thirty-seven components. Participants/materials, setting, methods Healthy women of reproductive age with normal functional uterine anatomy were included. Uterine pH was determined using pH probe inserted through outer sheath of an Embryo Transfer (ET) catheter at the lithotomy position. Uterine fluid was then aspirated using a syringe connected to outer sheath of this ET catheter. Collected samples were analyzed using a Cobas 8000 chemistry analyser and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Main results and the role of chance The mean pH in the uterine cavity on the third day after a positive LH test (6.75 ± 0.22) or ovum pick-up (6.82 ± 0.18) was clearly lower than the pH used in routine clinical practice for preimplantation embryo culture (pH 7.3 ± 0.1). Calcium, phosphate, lactate(L), pyruvate, albumin and 21 amino acids were present at different concentrations in human uterine fluid compared to most commonly used preimplantation embryo culture media. Immunoglobulins, citrulline, ornithine and uric acid were present in uterine fluid, but not in clinically used culture media. Limitations, reasons for caution As the uterine cavity is only one part of the reproductive tract, our measurements do not fully represent the complete in vivo environment of preimplantation embryo development. We only studied 37 components, recognizing that uterine fluid likely contains additional components. Wider implications of the findings The observed differences between the uterine pH and the composition of uterine fluid and the pH and composition of preimplantation embryo culture media used in routine clinical practice could be a starting point to further optimize in vitro embryo culture in ART treatments. Trial registration number Not applicable

Utilization of agro-industrial byproducts as low-cost nutrient sources for production of kefiran and lactic acid by Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens

Kefiran is an exopolysaccharide derived from kefir grains that has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The high production cost of kefiran is primarily attributed to the expensive fermentation media. Therefore, the use of byproducts from agro-industries could present an economically favorable alternative. In this study, locally available mature coconut water (MCW) and whey lactose (WL) were used as cost-effective nutrient sources for kefiran production by Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens JCM 6985. MCW gave a higher yield of kefiran and acid than WL and was comparable to the commercial medium. The optimal sugar concentration for kefiran and acid production from MCW was 30 g/L, and the pH control during cultivation could alleviate the inhibitory effect of acidic pH and enhance kefiran and acid production. When the MCW was added with yeast extract at 3 g-nitrogen/L, the kefiran and acid production increased up to 3.26 ± 0.03 g/L and 15.5 ± 0.7 g/L, respectively. Moreover, the kefiran and acid production was scaled up in the bioreactor and enhanced by the repeated-batch cultivation for six cycles. The structure analysis indicated that kefiran produced by L. kefiranofaciens when using MCW had a similar structure to that extracted from kefir grains. The findings demonstrate promising methods for cost-effective production of kefiran and lactic acid using inexpensive nutrient sources such as MCW.

Timing of hydrocarbon charge in the Axial Zone of the Eastern Cordillera, Colombia

The petroleum potential of onshore basins in Colombia has been partly controlled by the Andean Orogeny since the end of the Cretaceous. Its Axial Zone has at least one understudied active petroleum system with a rather low petroleum potential and few commercial medium to heavy oil accumulations, raising questions about how the Andean deformation influenced the petroleum system and the possible undiscovered accumulations. We examine the timing of this petroleum system in the Axial Zone through oil–source correlations and two 2D petroleum system models across the Boyacá and Soápaga faults based on cross-sections. Modelling reveals the direct control of deformation on generation–accumulation in the Axial Zone, where the Lower Cretaceous source rocks, due to high heat flows during the synrift phase, started generation so early (100 to 60 Ma) that no reservoirs or traps were yet available to allow hydrocarbon entrapment and accumulation. Equally, for the younger Upper Cretaceous source rocks, the tectonic inversion of the basin between 33 and 23 Ma along the Boyacá and Soápaga faults interrupted burial and the maturation in most parts of the basin, leaving only local pods of active source rocks where maturation continues today due to the tectonic overburden along the footwall of the Soápaga Fault. The latter is thus the major kitchen, contributing more than 50% of the liquid hydrocarbons trapped mainly in Upper Cretaceous and Paleocene sandstones. Hydrocarbons migrate upwards where biodegradation and water washing occurred in the near-surface, giving rise to the many tar sand occurrences in the Eocene sandstones.

Human Health Benefits and Microbial Consortium of Stevia Fermented with Barley Nuruk

In this study, the microbial community present during the barley yeast fermentation of stevia leaves and its correlation with antioxidant, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as metabolites, were investigated using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Stevia was fermented using commercial TSB media (TSB 1, TSB 3, and TSB 5) and sucrose (Sucrose 1, Sucrose 3, and Sucrose 5) for 1, 3, and 5 days, respectively. Stevia ferments showed higher DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging capacity compared to samples incubated with sucrose for 5 days, and all six ferments inhibited nitric oxide production in a concentration-dependent manner in LPS-induced mouse macrophages. Furthermore, UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis identified 23 related substances, including 10 terpenoids (including rubusoside, steviolbioside, and rebadioside derivatives), dulcoside A, and phlomisoside II, which are indicators of stevia, as well as five flavonoids, four phenolic acids, and four fatty acids. We also identified the microbial community during fermentation via the next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene for bacteria and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene for fungi. The results showed that TSB 1 and Sucrose 1 ferments were dominated by the pathogens Enterococcus hirae (58.93%) and Cronobacter sakazakii (80.92%), while samples fermented for more than 3 days were pathogen-free and dominated by lactic acid bacteria such as Pediococcus stilesii (73.37%). Microbial community analysis using the ITS region showed that Saccharomycopsis fibuligera, classified as a yeast rather than a mold, dominated the stevia fermentation regardless of the fermentation duration. In particular, the microbial community of the fermentation with a sucrose solution was dominated by S. fibuligera by more than 99% throughout the fermentation periods of 1, 3, and 5 days. Finally, to apply the stevia ferments topically to human skin, skin irritation tests were performed on 30 volunteers. The results showed that the highly concentrated extracts (1 mg/mL) of all six stevia ferments were hypoallergenic. Taken together, these findings suggest that barley nuruk fermented from stevia leaves with a sucrose solution offers promise as a natural ingredient for use in functional foods and cosmetics.

Preovulatory follicular fluid secretome added to in vitro maturation medium influences the metabolism of equine cumulus-oocyte complexes

BackgroundIn vitro embryo production is a highly demanded reproductive technology in horses, which requires the recovery (in vivo or post-mortem) and in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes. Oocytes subjected to IVM exhibit poor developmental competence compared to their in vivo counterparts, being this related to a suboptimal composition of commercial maturation media. The objective of this work was to study the effect of different concentrations of secretome obtained from equine preovulatory follicular fluid (FF) on cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) during IVM. COCs retrieved in vivo by ovum pick up (OPU) or post-mortem from a slaughterhouse (SLA) were subjected to IVM in the presence or absence of secretome (Control: 0 µg/ml, S20: 20 µg/ml or S40: 40 µg/ml). After IVM, the metabolome of the medium used for oocyte maturation prior (Pre-IVM) and after IVM (Post-IVM), COCs mRNA expression, and oocyte meiotic competence were analysed.ResultsIVM leads to lactic acid production and an acetic acid consumption in COCs obtained from OPU and SLA. However, glucose consumption after IVM was higher in COCs from OPU when S40 was added (Control Pre-IVM vs. S40 Post-IVM: 117.24 ± 7.72 vs. 82.69 ± 4.24; Mean µM ± SEM; p < 0.05), while this was not observed in COCs from SLA. Likewise, secretome enhanced uptake of threonine (Control Pre-IVM vs. S20 Post-IVM vs. S40 Post-IVM: 4.93 ± 0.33 vs. 3.04 ± 0.25 vs. 2.84 ± 0.27; Mean µM ± SEM; p < 0.05) in COCs recovered by OPU. Regarding the relative mRNA expression of candidate genes related to metabolism, Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) expression was significantly downregulated when secretome was added during IVM at 20–40 µg/ml in OPU-derived COCs (Control vs. S20 vs. S40: 1.77 ± 0.14 vs. 1 ± 0.25 vs. 1.23 ± 0.14; fold change ± SEM; p < 0.05), but not in SLA COCs.ConclusionsThe addition of secretome during in vitro maturation (IVM) affects the gene expression of LDHA, glucose metabolism, and amino acid turnover in equine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), with diverging outcomes observed between COCs retrieved using ovum pick up (OPU) and slaughterhouse-derived COCs (SLA).

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation by vitrification: The first Vietnam experience

Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation (OTC) is a promising technique for reproductive preservation in women with cancer. Although this technique has been successfully applied in many Invitro Fertilization (IVF) centers worldwide, OTC has not been recently developed in Vietnam, and there are no publications of OTC. The study of OTC by vitrification at IVFMD, My Duc Hospital, was conducted from 2018 to 2023 with trial registration number NCT04666376. Ovarian tissues from each patient were divided into 3 groups: group 1, which consisted on fresh tissues as a control group; group 2, which consisted of vitrified tissues using the Ova Kit Type M (Kitazato, Japan); and group 3, which consisted of vitrified tissues using IVFMD medium. The findings showed that the rates of viable follicles and follicles with both healthy oocytes and CGs in groups 2 and 3 were significantly lower than in group 1, at [80.3% in group 1, 70% in group 2, and 65% in group 3] and [71.3% in group 1, 59.4% in group 2, and 58.3% in group 3] respectively (P &lt; 0.05). The results aligned with previous findings due to the negative effects of cryopreservation. Moreover, it was illustrated that there was no change in the quality of tissue between the commercial medium and IVFMD’s medium in OTC.

Assessing the efficacy of a novel sperm-washing medium enriched with serotonin, L-carnitine, and coenzyme Q10: an observational cohort study.

This observational cohort study investigated the potential of a novel sperm-washing medium (SWM) enriched with serotonin (5-HT), L-carnitine (L-C), and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to enhance sperm motility and reduce DNA damage. It compared this innovative medium (5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM) with two widely used commercial media (SWM 1 and SWM 2). Ninety-eight volunteers from an infertility clinic provided semen samples, which were divided into three aliquots for analysis in different SWMs: group 1, SWM was composed of hydroxyethyl piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES), sodium bicarbonate, human serum albumin (HSA), taurine, and gentamicin sulfate (SWM 1); group 2, SWM was composed of HEPES, sodium bicarbonate, and HSA (SWM 2); and group 3, SWM was composed of HEPES-buffered human tubal fluid supplemented with 5-HT, L-C, and CoQ10 (5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM). Sperm motility was categorized as progressive, nonprogressive, or immotile. Apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and DNA fragmentation were also assessed. There were no significant differences in total or progressive sperm motility among the groups. Spermatozoa in group 3 exhibited reduced apoptosis, necrosis, and ROS levels and increased viability. No significant differences were observed in the DNA fragmentation index among groups. The 5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM reduced sperm oxidative stress and apoptosis compared with those of the two commercially available SWMs, suggesting that 5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM could be useful for enhancing in vitro fertilization success rates.

A review of ultrasound contrast media

Efforts have been made over the last five decades to create effective ultrasonic contrast media (UCM) for cardiac and noncardiac applications. The initial UCM was established in the 1980s, following publications from the 1960s that detailed the discovery of ultrasonic contrast enhancement using small gaseous bubbles in echocardiographic examinations. An optimal contrast agent for echography should possess the following characteristics: non-toxicity, suitability for intravenous injection, ability to traverse pulmonary, cardiac, and capillary circulations, and stability for recirculation. Definity, Optison, Sonazoid, and SonoVue are examples of current commercial contrast media. These contrast media have shown potential for various clinical reasons, both on-label and off-label. Several possible UCMs have been developed or are in progress. Advancements in comprehending the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of microbubbles have significantly improved the visualization of tumor blood vessels, the identification of areas with reduced blood supply, and the enhanced detection of narrowed blood vessels. Innovative advances are expected to enhance future applications such as ultrasonic molecular imaging and therapeutic utilization of microbubbles.

Making sense of digital communication between students, parents, teachers and school leaders in Danish state schools

Communication in Danish schools takes place with the aid of digital platforms developed and/or subsidised by the public sector and has done so for more than two decades. Within the same time frame, commercial social media platforms have emerged and become successfully integrated with key communicative practices. In order to understand how these communicative practices come about, we conducted interviews with students (from two different age groups), parents, teachers and school leaders in two primary and lower secondary schools in Denmark. The interviews focus on sense-making processes in digital communication and were analysed using Lomborg’s concept of communicative genres in social media. The analysis yielded four analytical categories through which the meaningfulness of using different digital platforms was assessed: (1) importance, (2) precision, (3) speed and (4) frequency. The findings are discussed in the framework of platformisation as well as the notion of technology paternalism. We argue that critical reflection on the use of commercial platforms in public institutions is needed. When key communicative practices in this arena rely on the services of data broking commercial actors, we risk further normalisation of problematic datafication.

Novel Culture Media Made from Sago Pith Waste Used to Culture the Antagonistic Rhizobacterium Streptomyces angustmyceticus NR8-2

Sag o pith waste (SPW) is an agricultural by-product from the sago starch extraction process. Using SPW supports the bio-circular green economy and sustainable agriculture. Although many bacterial culture media are commercially available, using SPW as a carbon source to develop culture media is considered an alternative way to save costs and limit the import of commercial media. This research aimed to develop culture media from SPW to culture the antagonistic rhizobacterium Streptomyces angustmyceticus NR8-2 and test the antifungal activity of the cell-free culture filtrate (CF) of S. angustmyceticus NR8-2 against Curvularia pseudobrachyspora, the pathogen of brown spot disease in dragon fruit. S. angustmyceticus NR8-2 was cultured on glucose yeast malt agar (GYMA) and glucose yeast malt broth (GYMB) as general media, modified sago pith waste yeast agar (SPYA), and sago pith waste yeast broth (SPYB); then, the bacterial growth was measured. S. angustmyceticus NR8-2 grew on SPYA similarly to on GYMA, and there was no morphological change when it was cultured on SPYA. S. angustmyceticus NR8-2 could also be cultured on both GYMB and modified SPYB, as indicated by spherical pellet development, but the biomass of S. angustmyceticus NR8-2 cultured on SPYB was significantly higher than that on GYMB (p&lt;0.05). The biofilm formation of S. angustmyceticus NR8-2 on the surface of SPYB or GYMB displayed no significant difference in dry or fresh weight (p&gt;0.05). The cell-free CF of S. angustmyceticus NR8-2 was collected and tested against the antifungal ability of C. pseudobrachyspora via agar well diffusion. Cell-free CFs from GYMB and SPYB effectively inhibited the growth of C. pseudobrachyspora with percentage inhibitions of 60.95 and 58.99%, respectively, with no statistical difference (p&gt;0.05). The cell-wall-degrading enzyme activity of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase showed no significant differences when S. angustmyceticus NR8-2 was cultured on GYMB and SPYB. Furthermore, the solid-state cultivation of S. angustmyceticus NR8-2 on SPW + yeast extract and SPW + dextrose + yeast extract showed bacterial populations of 2.56±1.38 × 108 and 3.38±1.89 × 108 CFU/g, significantly higher than when cultured on SPW alone. The results of our study show that SPW is a novel source for the development of novel media that can be used to culture antagonistic rhizobacterium S. angustmyceticus NR8-2.

Evaluation of fetal bovine serum as a source of enrichment in synthetic culture medium for the isolation of Mycobacterium bovis

A Middlebrook 7H10 medium added with 0.2% glucose and Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) at concentrations of 5, 10, and 15% was compared with a Middlebrook 7H11 medium enriched with commercial OADC to evaluate the growth of Mycobacterium bovis, strain AN5, in the dilutions 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 and 10-4 performed from the McFarland scale 1. The results demonstrated micro and macroscopic growth of mycobacteria in all concentrations of SFB two weeks after inoculation, and in greater numbers when compared to Middlebrook 7H11 supplemented with commercial OADC. Statistical analysis found a significant reduction in the Middlebrook 7H11 group when compared to the 15% SFB concentration group in dilutions 10-2, 10-3, and 10-4. The results presented allowed us to conclude that FBS can be used as a source of enrichment for a Middlebrook 7H10 Medium in a thin layer, for isolation of Mycobacterium bovis, with the advantage of being more accessible and cheaper than the commercial medium.

Assessing the nitrate and phosphate uptake kinetics potential and growth performance of Gracilaria corticata var. cylindrica in shrimp farm water (SFW)

Gracilaria corticata var. cylindrica (GCC) was studied as a biofilter in shrimp farm water (SFW) and its growth and biochemical attributes in the medium were evaluated. GCC showed significant nutrient absorption from SFW, with maximum nitrate and phosphate uptake observed after the first 48 h. Nitrate depletion happened faster than phosphate, thus showing a higher affinity for nitrate uptake (78.4% removal) by GCC. Nutrient uptake kinetics followed the Michaelis–Menten curve, with Vmax values of 43.16 μM g dw−1 h−1 for nitrate and 67.50 μM g dw−1 h−1 for phosphate. Also, GCC’s low Km values (12.53 µM for nitrate, 1.91 µM for phosphate) indicated efficient nutrient utilization. GCC showed rapid growth in SFW, with a daily growth rate of 2.93 ± 0.19% d−1, comparable to the commercial MP1 media (3.54 ± 0.19% d−1) and greater to seawater (2.23 ± 0.13% d−1). Proximate analysis revealed consistent biochemical compositions across all three media, with carbohydrate and protein contents of 2.24 ± 0.41% and 0.76 ± 0.12%, respectively, in SFW. Pigment analysis revealed that pigment concentrations varied, with SFW having the greatest R-PE concentration (182.25 ± 32.77 µg g−1), followed by MP1 media and saltwater. R-PC concentrations followed a similar pattern, with SFW having the greatest concentration (85.73 ± 19.33 µg g−1). These findings highlight GCC’s potential as an efficient biofilter for reducing nitrate and phosphate levels in SFW, therefore offering a sustainable solution for aquaculture effluent management and the potential integration of GCC into shrimp farming practices.

The use of sodium caseinate in the freezing of sheep semen.

The aim of this study was to assess the addition of 2% sodium caseinate in a commercial egg yolk-based medium in frozen ovine semen. Eight Dorper males were used for the study. The ejaculate was divided into two portions and frozen without (G1) or with the addition of 2% sodium caseinate (G2). Kinetic parameters were evaluated using CASA (computer-assisted sperm analysis), and membrane and acrosome integrity as well as oxidative stress were assessed using flow cytometry. After thawing, a thermoresistance test was conducted at time points T0 and T90. For the fertility test, 100 ewes were inseminated with semen from two rams selected based on invitro parameters, one with good post-thaw quality (+70% total motility) and the other with low post-thaw quality (-55% total motility). For the fertility test, the females were divided into 4 groups for insemination: low-quality ram without caseinate (GBS = 25) and with caseinate (GBC = 25), and high-quality ram without caseinate (GAS = 25) and with caseinate (GAC = 25). Regarding the results of sperm kinetics, there was a statistically significant difference in the parameters of average path velocity (VAP) and curvilinear velocity (VCL) between the group frozen with BotuBov and the group with added caseinate. At time point T90, straight-line velocity maintained a trend (p < .06), with BotuBov® (BB group) being superior to caseinate this time, and in the linearity parameter, caseinate was superior to BotuBov®. Flow cytometry analysis showed no difference between any of the evaluated tests. In the fertility test, there was no statistically significant difference in the pregnancy rate between the BotuBOV® group (23%, 11/48) and the sodium caseinate group (BC group) (33%, 17/52), and no differences were observed in the male versus diluent interaction (p = .70). In conclusion, sodium caseinate supplementation did not influence sperm kinetic parameters and the fertility of sheep.

Attitudes of U.S. Public Broadcasters: A Liberal Helping of Interpretive Journalism

Even though U.S. public broadcasting has existed for more than 50 years, little research has been done on the attitudes of its journalists. This study, based on a sample of 394 U.S. public media journalists, represents the largest-scale effort to date to catalog the professional values and beliefs of these professionals. Our findings suggest these journalists are more liberal than both the U.S. population and commercial journalists, though they find it important not to be seen as partisan in their work. And while more people of color work in public broadcasting than in commercial media, public media journalists are unsatisfied with the diversity in their newsrooms and how it represents the communities they serve. When asked about their preferred professional roles, U.S. public media journalists tend to identify more with the interpretive and populist-mobilizer functions of journalism than the adversarial and disseminator functions.

Comparison between commercial media and TRIS-egg yolk extender in the refrigerated storage of collared peccary semen at 17 °C

To assist in the conservation of collared peccary, it is important to strengthen semen processing protocols. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different commercial extenders (BTS; NUTRIXcell+ and PRIMXcell Ultra) and TRIS + egg yolk on the functional and morphological aspects of collared peccary semen stored at 17 °C for 48 hours. Ten ejaculates obtained by electroejaculation were divided into 4 aliquots and diluted in the respective extenders, then stored in a biological incubator at 17 °C for 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours. The samples were evaluated for kinetic parameters, membrane functionality, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, morphology, and sperm-binding capacity. At the end of storage (48 h), promising results were found for motility parameters, with TRIS + egg yolk (71.0 ± 4.6%) being more efficient than NUTRIXcell+ (38.9 ± 10.9%) (P < 0.05) and similar to BTS (42.9 ± 11.9%) and PRIMXcell Ultra (46.8 ± 10.8%). The results for membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity were around ∼30–50%, with TRIS being the only extender to preserve both parameters (58.9 ± 5.3 and 59.2 ± 5.6%) for up to 48 hours, respectively (P < 0.05). Finally, the extenders could guarantee 60% membrane functionality and ∼ 60–70% normal sperm morphology, as well as similar binding capacity among the groups. In conclusion, TRIS + egg yolk is effective in preserving the sperm parameters of collared peccary semen at 17 °C for 48 hours, while PRIMXcell Ultra and BTS are viable alternatives for this purpose.