High Production Levels Research Articles

Verification of Reproducibility of VCS2000 Equipment for Mechanical Measurement of Korean Landrace×Yorkshire (F1), F1×Duroc (LYD) Pig Carcasses.

With an increase in meat consumption, the need to measure the weight of each primal cut of pork has increased. Recently, automation devices have been used to measure the weight of each primal cut of pork. The objective of this study was to investigate the accuracy of VCS2000, one of the non-invasive pig carcass analyzers. Production levels of 7 primal cuts of 50 pigs were measured with VCS2000. Average error rates between dissected value for each primal cut and VCS2000 measurement values of ham, shoulder picnic, belly, loin, and shoulder blade were around 5%. Average error rates for spare rib and tenderloin were about 10%. Correlation coefficients between the dissected value and the VCS2000 measured value for ham, shoulder picnic, loin, belly, and shoulder blade were high at 0.66-0.83. Correlation coefficients of spare rib and tenderloin were low at 0.35 and 0.47. Coefficient of determination of the VCS2000 measured value for each primal cut by regression analysis was 0.77 or more for ham, shoulder picnic, loin, and shoulder blade and 0.63 for belly. Coefficients of determination for spare rib and tenderloin were low at 0.40 and 0.27. In addition, the coefficient of determination of VCS2000 for each primal cut was higher than that of the dissected value for all primal cuts. In conclusion, pig carcass analysis using the VCS2000 has a high reliability for pork cuts with high production levels, but a relatively low reliability for pork cuts with low production levels and high fat levels.

Recombinants of Alternaria alternata endophytes enhance inorganic phosphate solubilization and plant growth hormone production

Endophytic microorganisms can enhance the growth of their host plants by solubilizing phosphates and producing phytohormones. In some cases, spontaneous auxotrophic mutant fungi may exhibit improved solubilization and phytohormone production compared to the wild type. In this study, six endophytic strains of Alternaria alternata were molecularly identified and found to have the ability to solubilize phosphate and produce 3-indolacetic acid (IAA) in vitro. The A. alternata G3-92 strain was particularly noteworthy for its high levels of phosphate solubilization (2.2 cm) and IAA production (2.6 μg mL−1). This strain was used to obtain auxotrophic mutants using the Potassium Bromate Resistance System, and the most promising mutants were then protoplasted and fused. Comparison with the wild G3-92 strain showed significant improvement in phosphate solubilization (2.9 cm) for the G3-92arg−2, G3-92pro−2, and G3-92AU−2 mutants. IAA production also showed significant improvement for the G3-92trp−3 and G3-92ala−2 mutants, with production of 3.6 and 3.5 μg mL−1, respectively. The fusion of the G3-92trp−3 and G3-92arg−2 protoplasts resulted in eight new recombinant prototrophic strains with improved phosphate solubilization ranging from 2.4 to 2.7 cm. Seven of these recombinants also showed improved IAA production compared to the parental strains, G3-92trp−3 and G3-92arg−2, and the wild strain G3-92Wild, with IAA production ranging from 12 to 22 μg mL−1. These results indicate that these newly obtained recombinant strains have potential for use as eco-friendly agricultural inoculants, as an alternative to chemical fertilizers.

ON THE PROBLEM OF SOCIAL RECONSTRUCTIONS BASED ON THE MATERIALS OF THE SETTLEMENTS OF THE HALAF CULTURE OF THE EASTERN EUPHRATES

In the Russian archeology an opinion about the egalitarian appearance of the Neolithic settlements of the Halaf culture in Northern Mesopotamia was established. An assumption about the correspondence of its social structure to the level of chiefdom was made. However, no special studies in this direction have been carried out until now. This article contains the experience of identifying of social information from the archaeological sources of settlements in North-Eastern Syria. Developing the idea of the multicomponent specific of large settlements, the data that the link of social unification was a large family community are showed. Modern knowledge about the settlements allow to suggest that leaders of large-family communities exercised control over the development of specific sections of the settlement. Rare structural elements in housing construction (stone foundation, different qualities of wall plastering, floor covering, stone paving of the yard), which were not in the tradition of the Halaf cultural population, allow to consider them as signs of property and social gradation. In Russian and foreign science, a high level of pottery production in the Halaf culture has been noted. It is noted that the formation of independent production activity began with pottery, whereas in the relatively northern territories of Eurasia, many centuries later, this process began with metallurgy. This constitutes a feature of the ancient history of Mesopotamia.

Стале управління виробничою діяльністю підприємством: стратегії та інструменти

The article is devoted to the study of sustainable production management of enterprises in modern conditions, given that it is a critical aspect of corporate social responsibility. The main publications and studies of scientists that characterize the main methods, strategies and tools are considered. The advantages and disadvantages of sustainable production management in the activities of an enterprise and its impact on the environment are analyzed. The author identifies the need to adopt environmentally friendly production methods, invest in renewable energy sources, reduce waste, and use environmentally friendly materials and technologies. Various strategies and tools that enterprises can use to achieve sustainable production management are proposed, focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of implementing these practices, to effectively and quickly achieve a high level of production and development of enterprises.

The Strategic Role of Exhibition and Fairs in Marketing Activities of Agribusiness of Ukraine

The aim of the article. The purpose of this article is to study the features of exhibition and fair events in the marketing communication policy of agro-industrial enterprises of Ukraine, in order to find out their impact on the economic activity of the agricultural sector. Within the scope of the article, it is expedient to single out such tasks as clarifying the role of exhibitions (fairs) in the policy of promotion of agricultural enterprises of Ukraine; research of the connection between the communicator and the audience in the process of exhibitions and fairs in agrarian business; building a communication model of agricultural enterprises during exhibition and fair events; assessment of Ukrainian agribusiness participation in international exhibition events in Ukraine and abroad; clarification of the role of marketing communications of agricultural enterprises operating in the B2B market. Analyses results. Exhibitions and fairs have become particularly relevant in many businesses due to their high level of efficiency. For the agricultural sector of Ukraine, such marketing communications occupy a special place in the promotion policy due to the possibility of building close and long-term relationships between producers, consumers, suppliers and intermediaries. At exhibitions and fairs, agricultural companies present not only themselves or their brand, but also the products themselves, their properties, action and functional characteristics. Due to the professional and technical visibility of such appeals, the possibility of providing any information that is interesting to the consumer, the effectiveness of such means of marketing communications increases. Moreover, despite the availability of modern methods of contact with consumers, in the agricultural sector there is a growing need to explain the operation of complex products and technologies, to share experience in the use and quality of products, to make personal contacts with various participants within the global market. The article examines the activity of Ukrainian agribusiness in exhibition events both inside the country and abroad. Attention is drawn to the relevance of exhibitions due to the need to study technologies, search for ideas, get acquainted with various participants of the market exchange. The active participation of Ukrainian agro-industrial enterprises in the demonstration of their achievements at international exhibitions is emphasized. This indicates the high level of agricultural production in Ukraine, the use of modern technological achievements and the desire to improve and expand sales markets. Conclusions and directions for further research. Exhibition and fair events occupy a special place in the marketing communications of agricultural enterprises. Thanks to them, Ukrainian agribusinesses get new opportunities for improvement, cooperation, and finding new sales markets. Exhibitions are able to provide two-way communication between the sender and the recipient of the request: sending, receiving, and reaction are simultaneous. This allows the agricultural company to quickly understand the achievement of the communication effect, and, therefore, to increase the efficiency of the production and marketing of the agricultural enterprise. The effectiveness of exhibitions and fairs is high due to the professional and technical visibility of such events and the possibility of providing all important information to the visitor. According to the CEIR Exhibition Census organization, almost half of the contacts at exhibitions end with the signing of agreements. Thanks to these marketing communications, agricultural producers build close and long-term relationships with their target audience. To an even greater extent, this applies to those companies operating in the B2B market. At the same time, the proposed model of communication of agricultural enterprises during exhibitions and fairs indicates a number of distracting factors in the process of such events. Accordingly, it is necessary to take care of a clear understanding of messages by the target audience.

Synthesis of structure-defined β-1,4-GlcNAc-modified wall teichoic acids as potential vaccine against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a high priority pathogen due to its life-threating infections to human health. Development of prophylactic or therapeutic anti-MRSA vaccine is a potential approach to treat S. aureus infections and overcome the resistance crisis. β-1,4-GlcNAc glycosylated wall teichoic acids (WTAs) derived from S. aureus are a new type of antigen that is closely associated with β-lactam resistance. In this study, structure-defined β-1,4-GlcNAc-modified WTAs varied in chain length and numbers of GlcNAc modification were synthesized by an ionic liquid-supported oligosaccharide synthesis (ILSOS) strategy in high efficiency and chromatography-free approach. Then the obtained WTAs were conjugated with tetanus toxin (TT) as vaccine candidates and were further evaluated in a mouse model to determine the structure-immunogenicity relationship. In vivo immunological studies revealed that the WTAs-TT conjugates provoked robust T cell-dependent responses and elicited high levels of specific anti-WTAs IgG antibodies production associated with the WTAs structure including chain length as well as the β-1,4-GlcNAc modification pattern. Heptamer WTAs conjugate T6, carrying three copy of β-1,4-GlcNAc modified RboP, was identified to elicit the highest titers of specific antibody production. The T6 antisera exhibited the highest recognition and binding affinity and the most potent OP-killing activities to MSSA and MRSA cells. This study demonstrated that β-1,4-GlcNAc glycosylated WTAs are promising antigens for further development against MRSA.

Estimation of the value of curative therapies in oncology: a willingness-to-pay study in China

The objective of this study was to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) among people with malignancies in China. The WTP for a QALY was estimated using a contingent valuation survey. Health utility was measured in EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D). The questionnaires were completed in face-to-face interviews. Respondents consisted of patients with malignant tumors and their family members and came from three tertiary hospitals in different cities with high, medium, and low gross domestic product (GDP) levels. In this study, we offered lump-sum payments and 10 year installment plans to respondents. Finally, we conducted sensitivity analysis and stepwise regression analyses to identify factors that affected the WTP/QALY ratios. A total of 1264 people participated in this survey, and 1013 people gave WTP responses for further analysis. The mean and median WTP/QALY values based on the lump-sum payments were 366,879 RMB (53,171USD, 5.1 times the GDP per capita) and 99,906 RMB (14,479USD, 1.39 times the GDP per capita) for the overall sample; 339,330 RMB (49,178USD, 4.71 times the GDP per capita) and 83,875 RMB (12,156USD, 1.16 times the GDP per capita) for the patient group; and 407,396 RMB (59,043USD, 5.66 times the GDP per capita) and 149,436 RMB (21,657USD, 2.08 times the GDP per capita) for the family group. Considering the skewedness of the data distribution, we suggest setting the cost-utility threshold with reference to the median. When the payment plan changed to 10-year installments, the median increased to 134,734RMB (19,527USD), 112,390 RMB (16,288USD) and 173,838 RMB (25,194USD) for the above groups, respectively. EQ-5D-5L health utility, annual household income per capita, patients with other chronic diseases, occupation, regular physical examinations (patients) and age (family members) were significantly related to WTP/QALY. This study provides empirical evidence of the monetary value of a QALY from a sample of the Chinese population with malignancies. In addition, the ratio of the WTP/QALY to GDP per capita was related to the disease and hypothetical scenario, and a higher ratio of GDP per capita for malignant tumor therapies should be considered.

Biochemical response of two earthworm taxa exposed to freezing.

Several earthworm species are known to be able to withstand freezing. At the biochemical level, this ability is based on cryoprotectant accumulation as well as several other mechanisms. In this study, we used 1H NMR to investigate metabolomic changes in two freeze-tolerant earthworm taxa, Dendrobaena octaedra and one of the genetic lineages of Eisenia sp. aff. nordenskioldi f. pallida. A total of 45 metabolites were quantified. High concentrations of glucose were present in frozen tissues of both taxa. No other putative cryoprotectants were found. We detected high levels of glycolysis end products and succinate in frozen animals, indicating the activation of glycolysis. Concentrations of many other substances also significantly increased. On the whole, metabolic change in response to freezing was much more pronounced in the specimens of Eisenia sp. aff. nordenskioldi f. pallida, including signs of nucleotide degradation.

Effect of DNA damage mediating psychosocial stress on aging

Adversity and psychosocial stress are involved in aging through the following pathways. psychological stress enhances the nerve system to secrete endocrine mediators (hormones). Mitochondrial respiration mediates energy production stimulated by binding to these hormones to their receptors. Energy produced by mitochondria accelerates metabolism and, in its turn, leads to increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) of free radicals. Cellular stress and accumulation of damage can result from an excess of ROS. Accumulation of damage comprises damages in telomeric and nontelomeric DNA, in addition to mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial DNA damage plays an important role in increasing the pathway of p53/p21. The expression of the PGC-1α gene is inhibited by activation of the previous pathway that generates a decrease in mitochondrial biogenesis. The low level of mitochondrial biogenesis generates mitophagy defects and increases the level of dysfunctional mitochondria that lead to a high level of ROS production. Nuclear DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction stimulate necrosis or cell senescence. Necrotic cells enhance the inflammatory activity by which damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are continuously secreted. Senescent cells secrete high levels of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that includes tumor necrosis factor TNF-α and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as inflammatory cytokines, and MCP-2 and interleukin-8 (IL-8) as chemokines. All these processes work together to accelerate the biological aging process by causing defects related to aging such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Phagocytosis and oxidative activity of neutrophils after interaction with uropathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> biofilms

Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are associated primarily with the ability of Escherichia coli to form biofilms. The interaction of neutrophils, factors of innate immunity, with microorganisms in biofilms is difficult compared to planktonic forms due to the lack of direct contact, as well as due to the antiphagocytic action of the extracellular matrix of biofilms. The purpose of this study was evaluation of neutrophils phagocytic and oxidative activity during interaction with biofilms of uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) DL82 and R44. Peripheral blood neutrophils from healthy men were isolated using ficoll-urographin double gradient, incubated for 1 h with bacterial cells from biofilms or their supernatants, then leukocytes functional activity was evaluated. Phagocytic activity of neutrophils was determined by the degree of bioluminescence inhibition of bioluminescent strain E. coli K12 TG1 lux+ (pXen) upon their absorption by neutrophils. Production of extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was analyzed by the intensity of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in spontaneous and stimulated by E. coli K12 variants. Significance of differences was determined using Student’s t-test at p < 0.05. It was found that neutrophils interaction with UPEC biofilm cells or supernatants did not affect the phagocytic activity. E. coli DL82 supernatants reduce neutrophils spontaneous ROS production compared to control and biofilm cells. E. coli R44 supernatants with a low virulence potential did not affect ROS production, while biofilm cells stimulated it. When assessing stimulated ROS production, exposure to R44 strain supernatants did not cause a decrease in neutrophils activation in response to an external stimulus (E. coli K12 cells). Preliminary contact of neutrophils with E. coli R44 bacteria resulted in a high and prolonged level of ROS production compared to the control. Neutrophils interaction with DL82 cells resulted in a higher level of ROS compared to supernatants, however a subsequent rapid depletion of neutrophils oxidative potential was observed. Thus, cells and supernatants of UPEC biofilms can determine the activation of neutrophils.

IL-6 and IL-8 secretion by human glioma cells proliferating after Gamma-knife irradiation

One of the modern methods of treating patients with primary and recurrent brain tumors is radiosurgical irradiation using Gamma Knife, which allows therapeutic doses to be delivered to tumors not exceeding 2.5 cm in diameter in 1–2 sessions. Tumor cells on the periphery of this tissue volume that receive lower radiation doses can resume proliferation and serve as a source of recurrence. The increase of radiation dose may cause necroses formation and a worsening prognosis. The properties of glioblastoma cells that survive and resume proliferation long after stereotactic irradiation are still poorly known. The aim of the work was to evaluate the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 by glioblastoma A172, R1, T2, and T98G cell lines that resumed proliferation after sublethal Gamma Knife irradiation. Cells were irradiated once at doses ranging from 6 to 16 Gy, and then cultured for 40 days. Cell number was counted weekly; lethal and sublethal irradiation doses for each glioblastoma cell line were determined. In cultures descendant from proliferation of single most resistant cells, the level of IL-6 and IL-8 secretion after 96 hours cultivation (ng/1000 cells) was determined by ELISA. The cells of all four glioblastoma lines secreted IL-6 and IL-8 into culture medium. The highest production of cytokines, never before demonstrated for glioblastomas, was discovered in R1 cells. Glioblastoma T2 also had high interleukin production levels. In contrast to these lines, glioblastoma A172 (highly sensitive to the action of cytostatic drugs and radiation) secreted IL-6 at 30 times lower level than R1 cells. Glioblastoma T98G (highly resistant to the action of cytostatic drugs and radiation) also exhibited low interleukins production level. R1, T2, and T98G glioblastoma cells that resumed proliferation after irradiation had increased secretion of IL-6 and, to a lesser extent, IL-8. The dependence of cytokine production increase on irradiation dose for these cells was not linear. In contrast, A172 cells reduced IL-6 and IL-8 secretion under irradiation. The multidirectional changes in IL-6 and IL-8 production by cells of different glioblastoma lines were long-term and persisted for more than a month. The presented results cast doubt on the possibility to use IL-6 and IL-8 production by glioblastoma cells as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis, therapy monitoring as well as prognostic markers of the disease course.

The Potential of Sponge-Associated Bacillus spp. as A Biocontrol Agent to Inhibit Several Bacteria from Infected Catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burch)

Catfish is one of the freshwater aquaculture commodities with a high level of consumption and production in Indonesia. Disease outbreaks could occur in catfish farming activities caused by pathogenic bacteria. Several species of pathogenic bacteria can cause disease in catfish, resulting in mass death. This can lead to decrease in the food quality of freshwater fishery products, especially catfish. In cultured system, aquaculture occurrence of diseases can cause severe financial losses. Catfish samples were obtained from catfish farming with clinical symptoms of reddish spots on the outside of the body. Bacteria were isolated from the kidney and liver under aseptic conditions. These bacteria isolates were identified through their colony morphology, Gram staining, biochemical tests, molecular test, and antibacterial test of Bacillus spp. using spot and disc diffusion test. Identification based on 16S rRNA gene showed that GL1 was 99.92% closely related to Aeromonas widowei, HL1 was 100% closely to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, and GL2 and HL2 was closely related to Bacillus cereus. The antibacterial test results of APD10 isolates of Bacillus velenzensis species inhibited GL2 pathogenic bacteria with an inhibition zone of 22.15 mm in the very strong inhibition zone and HL2 pathogenic bacteria with an inhibition zone of 8.5 mm in the moderate inhibition zone. Bacillus velezensis was isolated from the sponge Aplysina sp. could be further utilized as a biocontrol agent for the pathogenic bacteria, Bacillus cereus, that infects catfish.

The Potential of Sponge-Associated Bacillus spp. as A Biocontrol Agent to Inhibit Several Bacteria from Infected Catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burch)

Catfish is one of the freshwater aquaculture commodities with a high level of consumption and production in Indonesia. Disease outbreaks could occur in catfish farming activities caused by pathogenic bacteria. Several species of pathogenic bacteria can cause disease in catfish, resulting in mass death. This can lead to decrease in the food quality of freshwater fishery products, especially catfish. In cultured system, aquaculture occurrence of diseases can cause severe financial losses. Catfish samples were obtained from catfish farming with clinical symptoms of reddish spots on the outside of the body. Bacteria were isolated from the kidney and liver under aseptic conditions. These bacteria isolates were identified through their colony morphology, Gram staining, biochemical tests, molecular test, and antibacterial test of Bacillus spp. using spot and disc diffusion test. Identification based on 16S rRNA gene showed that GL1 was 99.92% closely related to Aeromonas widowei, HL1 was 100% closely to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, and GL2 and HL2 was closely related to Bacillus cereus. The antibacterial test results of APD10 isolates of Bacillus velenzensis species inhibited GL2 pathogenic bacteria with an inhibition zone of 22.15 mm in the very strong inhibition zone and HL2 pathogenic bacteria with an inhibition zone of 8.5 mm in the moderate inhibition zone. Bacillus velezensis was isolated from the sponge Aplysina sp. could be further utilized as a biocontrol agent for the pathogenic bacteria, Bacillus cereus, that infects catfish.

625 nm Light Irradiation Prevented MC3T3-E1 Cells from Accumulation of Misfolded Proteins via ROS and ATP Production.

Osteoblasts must acquire a considerable capacity for folding unfolded and misfolded proteins (MPs) to produce large amounts of extracellular matrix proteins and maintain bone homeostasis. MP accumulation contributes to cellular apoptosis and bone disorders. Photobiomodulation therapy has been used to treat bone diseases, but the effects of decreasing MPs with photobiomodulation remain unclear. In this study, we explored the efficacy of 625 nm light-emitting diode irradiation (LEDI) to reduce MPs in tunicamycin (TM) induced-MC3T3-E1 cells. Binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP), an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent chaperone, is used to evaluate the capacity of folding MPs. The results revealed that pretreatment with 625 nm LEDI (Pre-IR) induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, leading to the increased chaperone BiP through the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1)/X-box binding protein 1s (XBP-1s) pathway, and then restoration of collagen type I (COL-I) and osteopontin (OPN) expression relieving cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the translocation of BiP into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen might be followed by a high level of ATP production. Taken together, these results suggest that Pre-IR could be beneficial to prevent MP accumulation through ROS and ATP in TM-induced MC3T3-E1cells.

INTERRELATIONSHIP OF INFLATION, EXCHANGE RATE AND INTEREST RATES IN THE CONTEXT OF HUNGARY'S STRATEGIC POLICY

INTERRELATIONSHIP OF INFLATION, EXCHANGE RATE AND INTEREST RATES IN THE CONTEXT OF HUNGARY'S STRATEGIC POLICY

Factors Associated With Prolonged Ventilation in Patients Receiving Prone Positioning Protocol With Muscle Relaxants for Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia.

Prone positioning and neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are frequently used to treat severe respiratory failure from COVID-19 pneumonia. Prone positioning has shown to improve mortality, whereas NMBAs are used to prevent ventilator asynchrony and reduce patient self-inflicted lung injury. However, despite the use of lung-protective strategies, high death rates in this patient population have been reported. We retrospectively examined the factors affecting prolonged mechanical ventilation in subjects receiving prone positioning plus muscle relaxants. The medical records of 170 patients were reviewed. Subjects were divided into 2 groups according to ventilator-free days (VFDs) at day 28. Whereas subjects with VFDs < 18 d were defined as prolonged mechanical ventilation, subjects with VFDs ≥18 d were defined as short-term mechanical ventilation. Subjects' baseline status, status at ICU admission, therapy before ICU admission, and treatment in the ICU were studied. Under the proning protocol for COVID-19, the mortality rate in our facility was 11.2%. The prognosis may be improved by avoiding lung injury in the early stages of mechanical ventilation. According to multifactorial logistic regression analysis, persistent SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding in blood (P = .03), higher daily corticosteroid use before ICU admission (P = .007), delayed recovery of lymphocyte count (P < .001), and higher maximal fibrinogen degradation products (P = .039) were associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation. A significant relationship was found between daily corticosteroid use before admission and VFDs by squared regression analysis (y = -0.00008522x2 + 0.01338x + 12.8; x: daily corticosteroids dosage before admission [prednisolone mg/d]; y: VFDs/28 d, R2 = 0.047, P = .02). The peak point of the regression curve was 13.4 d at 78.5 mg/d of the equivalent prednisolone dose, which corresponded to the longest VFDs. Persistent SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding in blood, high corticosteroid dose from the onset of symptoms to ICU admission, slow recovery of lymphocyte counts, and high levels of fibrinogen degradation products after admission were associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation in subjects with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Assessing the Rice Production and Its Determinants: Empirical Evidence from Albuera, Leyte, Philippines

Rice is the most important crop grown in the Philippines since it is an essential food and a source of income for many Filipinos. The study’s purpose is to determine the various influencing factors affecting the rice production of small-scale farmers in Albuera, Leyte, Philippines. Using Slovin’s formula, a total of 73 rice farmers were randomly selected as respondents to the survey. Some descriptive techniques were employed to summarize the different variables. A categorical relationship analysis using a Chi-square test was used to analyze the significant factors of rice production. Results showed that about 57.53% and 42.47% of the farmers are experiencing low and high production levels, respectively. On average, rice farmers are "moderately affected" (M=23.00, SD=4.55) by the different constraints in the rice production process from planting to harvesting. In addition, farmers are "uncertain" (M=19.67, SD=3.01) about the effectiveness and usefulness of extension agents' role in their production process. Moreover, it is revealed that the demographic profile, constraints in rice farming, and extension agents' role does not affect the farmers' rice production level. On the other hand, other sources of income (p=0.034), monthly income in farming (p=0.13), and farm size (p&lt;0.001) are the only significant determinants in the rice production level. Hence, the study suggested that rural farmers must be supported by the government concerning their agricultural inputs, capital, and equipment, among others. Furthermore, the local government must train their extension agents rigorously to appropriately disseminate the new technologies to farmers so that they can adopt them systematically to improve their level of rice production.

Biosensor-guided rapid screening for improved recombinant protein secretion in Pichia pastoris

Pichia pastoris (Komagataella phaffii) is widely used for industrial production of heterologous proteins due to high secretory capabilities but selection of highly productive engineered strains remains a limiting step. Despite availability of a comprehensive molecular toolbox for construct design and gene integration, there is high clonal variability among transformants due to frequent multi-copy and off-target random integration. Therefore, functional screening of several hundreds of transformant clones is essential to identify the best protein production strains. Screening methods are commonly based on deep-well plate cultures with analysis by immunoblotting or enzyme activity assays of post-induction samples, and each heterologous protein produced may require development of bespoke assays with multiple sample processing steps. In this work, we developed a generic system based on a P. pastoris strain that uses a protein-based biosensor to identify highly productive protein secretion clones from a heterogeneous set of transformants. The biosensor uses a split green fluorescent protein where the large GFP fragment (GFP1-10) is fused to a sequence-specific protease from Tobacco Etch Virus (TEV) and is targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum. Recombinant proteins targeted for secretion are tagged with the small fragment of the split GFP (GFP11). Recombinant protein production can be measured by monitoring GFP fluorescence, which is dependent on interaction between the large and small GFP fragments. The reconstituted GFP is cleaved from the target protein by TEV protease, allowing for secretion of the untagged protein of interest and intracellular retention of the mature GFP. We demonstrate this technology with four recombinant proteins (phytase, laccase, β-casein and β-lactoglobulin) and show that the biosensor directly reports protein production levels that correlate with traditional assays. Our results confirm that the split GFP biosensor can be used for facile, generic, and rapid screening of P. pastoris clones to identify those with the highest production levels.

Extracellular vesicles derived from a specific strain of commensal bacteria promote anticancer immune responses and synergize with anticancer therapies

Abstract Commensal microbiota regulates cancer development and influences the efficacy of anticancer therapies. To develop a novel microbiota-based anticancer therapy, we screened human intestinal bacteria for their ability to induce IL-12 production in dendritic cells (DCs). A specific strain of Lactobacillusbacteria and their extracellular vesicles (EVs) induced a high level of IL-12 production without a concomitant induction of IL-10 secretion. In addition, DCs stimulated with the LactobacillusEVs promoted differentiation of Th1 and Tc1 cells in vitro. In mice, oral or intravenous administration of the LactobacillusEVs reduced tumor growth in both subcutaneous tumor cell implantation and spontaneous colon cancer models by enhancing the production of IFN-γ and cytotoxic effector molecules in tumor-infiltrating T cells. The EVs also enhanced anticancer efficacy of an anti-PD-1 antibody and oxaliplatin treatment. The tumor growth inhibition by the LactobacillusEVs was abrogated when mice were treated with IL-12-blocking antibody, confirming that the anticancer effect of the EVs depends on their ability to induce IL-12 production. By biochemical and genetic analyses, we identified that bacterial DNA within the LactobacillusEVs is the main factor inducing IL-12 production in DCs via stimulation of TLR9. Accordingly, DNA purified from EVs of the specific Lactobacillusstrain, but not of a closely related other Lactobacillusstrain, was able to stimulate IL-12 secretion. Moreover, the EVs did not show IL-12 induction and cancer suppressive function in TLR9-deficient mice. Our results suggest that a rational selection of commensal bacteria-derived EVs can be a strategy to develop a new cancer immunotherapy. Supported by grants from the National Research Foundation of Korea (2017M3A9F3047085, 2020R1A2C2011307)

Numerical Modelling and Simulation of Sheet Metal Forming Process

Simulation and modelling of sheet metal forming process are well common today in different industries (automotive, aerospace) and several research centers regarding its huge impact for both on production and reliability of the lifecycle of the equipment, and the quality of the product. However, to obtain the best configuration possible with the inputs parameters to achieve high level of production and increasing the durability of the tools needs some extra methods for the optimization for this problem using mostly finite element method cooperated with iterative algorithms based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) [1]. Whereas this research is focused on modelling of stamping process of stainless steel AISI 304 to investigate to formability of the material, and studying the influence of the friction factor on the quality of the product as well the energy required for each set configuration.