Continuous UV-C/H2O2 and UV-C/Chlorine applied to municipal secondary effluent and nanofiltration retentate: Removal of contaminants of emerging concern, ecotoxicity, and reuse potential.

As global effects of water scarcity raise concerns and environmental regulations evolve, contemporary wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) face the challenge of effectively removing a diverse range of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) from municipal effluents. This study focuses on the assessment of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), specifically UV-C/H2O2 and UV-C/Chlorine, for the removal of 14 target CECs in municipal secondary effluent (MSE, spiked with 10 µg L-1 of each CEC) or in the subsequent MSE nanofiltration retentate (NFR, no spiking). Phototreatments were carried out in continuous mode operation, with a hydraulic retention time of 3.4 min, using a tube-in-tube membrane photoreactor. For both wastewater matrices, UV-C photolysis (3.3 kJ L-1) exhibited high efficacy in removing CECs susceptible to photolysis, although lower treatment performance was observed for NFR. In MSE, adding 10 mg L-1 of H2O2 or Cl2 enhanced treatment efficiency, with UV-C/H2O2 outperforming UV-C/Chlorine. Both UV-C/AOPs eliminated the chronic toxicity of MSE toward Chlorella vulgaris. In the NFR, not only was the degradation of target CECs diminished, but chronic toxicity to C. vulgaris persisted after both UV-C/AOPs, with UV-C/Chlorine increasing toxicity due to potential toxic by-products. Nanofiltration permeate (NFP) exhibited low CECs and microbial content. A single chlorine addition effectively controlled Escherichia coli regrowth for 3 days, proving NFP potential for safe reuse in crop irrigation (<1 CFU/100 mL for E. coli; <1 mg L-1 for free chlorine). These findings provide valuable insights into the applications and limitations of UV-C/H2O2 and UV-C/Chlorine for distinct wastewater treatment scenarios.

Moringa oleifera Oil Nutritional and Safety Impact on Deep-Fried Potatoes.

Aiming to understand the nutritional impact of Moringa oleifera oil (MOO) on the quality of fried potatoes as consumed, a frying study using intermittent frying at 180 °C was conducted over 5 days, with a total heating time of 15 h, against olive (OO) and sunflower (SFO) oils. Additionally, due to MOO's higher costs, a SFO/MOO blend (80/20 w/w) was tested. With similar fat incorporation and moisture contents, potato lipid composition revealed the impact of oil oxidation over the frying time, gradually decreasing the content of unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, including vitamin E, carotenoids and ascorbic acid, and increasing the incorporation of trans fatty acids (TFAs) and volatile aldehydes. When the potatoes fried at the ninth hour of heating are compared, MOO and OO were still able to protect potato ascorbic acid better than SFO, due to the low oxidative stress imposed by their fatty-acid composition. SFO, on the contrary, with linoleic acid as the main fatty acid, and despite its higher content of vitamin E, demonstrated higher oxidative stress and increased incorporation of alkenals and alkadienals. Acrylamide content was generally low, as were the trans fatty acids formed and incorporated with frying time, with MOO fried potatoes having lower amounts of all these process contaminants. Interestingly, the blend SFO/MOO (80/20 w/w) doubled the amount of vitamin E in fried potatoes when compared with SFO alone, increased the ascorbic acid protection and reduced by half the amounts of volatile aldehydes, indicative of an efficient reduction of the oxidative status of the SFO-fried potatoes, with benefits to the consumer from a health point of view.

The genes from the pseudoautosomal region 1 (PAR1) of the mammalian sex chromosomes: Synteny, phylogeny and selection.

Sex chromosomes recombine restrictly in their homologous area, the pseudoautosomal region (PAR), represented by PAR1 and PAR2, which behave like an autosome in both pairing and recombination. The PAR1, common to most of the eutherian mammals, is located at the terminus of the sex chromosomes short arm and exhibit recombination rates ~20 times higher than the autosomes. Here, we assessed the interspecific evolutionary genomic dynamics of 15 genes of the PAR1 across 41 mammalian genera (representing six orders). The strong negative selection detected in most of the assessed groups reinforces the presence of evolutionary constraints, imposed by the important function of the PAR1 genes. Indeed, mutations in these genes are associated with various diseases in humans, including stature problems (Klinefelter Syndrome), leukemia and mental diseases. Yet, a few genes exhibiting positive selection (ω-value >1) were depicted in Rodentia (ASMT and ZBED1) and Primates (CRLF2 and CSF2RA). Rodents have the smallest described PAR1, while that of simian primates/humans underwent a 3 to 5 fold size reduction. The assessment of the PAR1 genes synteny revealed differences among the mammalian species, especially in the Rodentia order where chromosomic translocations from the sex chromosomes to the autosomes were observed. Such syntenic changes may be an evidence of the rapid evolution in rodents, as previous referred in other papers, also depicted by their increased branch lengths in the phylogenetic analyses. Concluding, we suggest that genome migration is an important factor influencing the evolution of mammals and may result in changes of the selective pressures operating on the genome.

Correlative Electrochemical Microscopy for the Elucidation of the Local Ionic and Electronic Properties of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase in Li-Ion Batteries.

The solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) plays a key role in the stability of lithium-ion batteries as the SEI prevents the continuous degradation of the electrolyte at the anode. The SEI acts as an insulating layer for electron transfer, still allowing the ionic flux through the layer. We combine the feedback and multi-frequency alternating-current modes of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) for the first time to assess quantitatively the local electronic and ionic properties of the SEI varying the SEI formation conditions and the used electrolytes in the field of Li-ion batteries (LIB). Correlations between the electronic and ionic properties of the resulting SEI on a model Cu electrode demonstrates the unique feasibility of the proposed strategy to provide the two essential properties of an SEI: ionic and electronic conductivity in dependence on the formation conditions, which is anticipated to exhibit a significant impact on the field of LIBs.

Widening the Perspectives for Legume Consumption: The Case of Bioactive Non-nutrients.

Legume grains have provided essential nutrients in human diets for centuries, being excellent sources of proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and fibers. They also contain several non-nutrients that historically have been connotated as toxic but that in recent years have been shown to have interesting bioactive properties. The discussion on the role of bioactive non-nutrients is becoming more important due to increasing science-based evidence on their potential antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and anticarcinogenic properties. At a time when legume-based products consumption is being strongly promoted by national governments and health authorities, there is a need to clearly define the recommended levels of such non-nutrients in human diets. However, there is insufficient data determining the ideal amount of non-nutrients in legume grains, which will exert the most positive health benefits. This is aligned with insufficient studies that clearly demonstrate if the positive health effects are due to the presence of specific non-nutrients or a result of a dietary balance. In fact, rather than looking directly at the individual food components, most nutritional epidemiology studies relate disease risk with the food and dietary patterns. The purpose of this perspective paper is to explore different types of non-nutrients present in legume grains, discuss the current evidence on their health benefits, and provide awareness for the need for more studies to define a recommended amount of each compound to identify the best approaches, either to enhance or reduce their levels.

Mitigation of climate change and environmental hazards in plants: Potential role of the beneficial metalloid silicon.

In the last decades, the concentration of atmospheric CO2 and the average temperature have been increasing, and this trend is expected to become more severe in the near future. Additionally, environmental stresses including drought, salinity, UV-radiation, heavy metals, and toxic elements exposure represent a threat for ecosystems and agriculture. Climate and environmental changes negatively affect plant growth, biomass and yield production, and also enhance plant susceptibility to pests and diseases. Silicon (Si), as a beneficial element for plants, is involved in plant tolerance and/or resistance to various abiotic and biotic stresses. The beneficial role of Si has been shown in various plant species and its accumulation relies on the root's uptake capacity. However, Si uptake in plants depends on many biogeochemical factors that may be substantially altered in the future, affecting its functional role in plant protection. At present, it is not clear whether Si accumulation in plants will be positively or negatively affected by changing climate and environmental conditions. In this review, we focused on Si interaction with the most important factors of global change and environmental hazards in plants, discussing the potential role of its application as an alleviation strategy for climate and environmental hazards based on current knowledge.

Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy Coupled to Chemometrics as a Cost-Effective, Rapid, and Non-Destructive Tool for Fish Fraud Control: Monitoring Source, Condition, and Nutritional Value of Five Common Whitefish Species.

Fish fraud is a problematic issue for the industry. For it to be properly addressed will require the use of accurate, rapid, and cost-effective tools. In this work, near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to predict nutritional values (protein, lipids, and moisture) as well as to discriminate between sources (farmed vs. wild fish) and conditions (fresh or defrosted fish). Samples of five whitefish species-Alaskan pollock (Gadus chalcogrammu), Atlantic cod (G. morhua), European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), common sole (Solea solea), and turbot (Psetta maxima)-including farmed, wild, fresh, and frozen ones, were scanned by a low-cost handheld near infrared reflectance spectrometer with a spectral range between 900 and 1700 nm. Several machine learning algorithms were explored for both regression and classification tasks, achieving precisions and coefficients of determination higher than 88% and 0.78, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to cluster samples according to classes where good linear discriminations were denoted. Loadings from PCA revealed bands at 1150, 1200, and 1400 nm as the most discriminative spectral regions regarding classification of both source and condition, suggesting the absorbance of OH, CH, CH2, and CH3 groups as the most important ones. This study shows the use of NIRS and both linear and non-linear learners as a suitable strategy to address fish fraud and fish QC.

Foliar application of 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone Fe-chelate [Fe(mpp)3 ] induces responses at the root level amending iron deficiency chlorosis in soybean.

Iron (Fe) deficiency chlorosis (IDC) affects the growth of several crops, especially when growing in alkaline soils. The application of synthetic Fe-chelates is one of the most commonly used strategies in IDC amendment, despite their associated negative environmental impacts. In a previous work, the Fe-chelate tris(3-hydroxy-1-(H)-2-methyl-4-pyridinonate) iron(III) [Fe(mpp)3 ] has shown great potential for alleviating IDC in soybean (Glycine max) in the early stages of plant development under hydroponic conditions. Herein, its efficacy was verified under soil conditions in soybean grown from seed to full maturity. Chlorophyll levels, plant growth, root and shoot mineral accumulation (K, Mg, Ca, Na, P, Mn, Zn, Ni, and Co) and FERRITIN expression were accessed at V5 phenological stage. Compared to a commonly used Fe chelate, FeEDDHA, supplementation with [Fe(mpp)3 ] led to a 29% higher relative chlorophyll content, 32% higher root biomass, 36% higher trifoliate Fe concentration, and a twofold increase in leaf FERRITIN gene expression. [Fe(mpp)3 ] supplementation also resulted in increased accumulation of P, K, Zn, and Co. At full maturity, the remaining plants were harvested and [Fe(mpp)3 ] application led to a 32% seed yield increase when compared to FeEDDHA. This is the first report on the use of [Fe(mpp)3 ] under alkaline soil conditions for IDC correction, and we show that its foliar application has a longer-lasting effect than FeEDDHA, induces efficient root responses, and promotes the uptake of other nutrients.

Chitosan increases Pinus pinaster tolerance to the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) by promoting plant antioxidative metabolism.

The pine wilt disease (PWD), for which no effective treatment is available at the moment, is a constant threat to Pinus spp. plantations worldwide, being responsible for significant economic and environmental losses every year. It has been demonstrated that elicitation with chitosan increases plant tolerance to the pinewood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the causal agent of the PWD, but the biochemical and genetic aspects underlying this response have not been explored. To understand the influence of chitosan in Pinus pinaster tolerance against PWN, a low-molecular-weight (327 kDa) chitosan was applied to mock- and PWN-inoculated plants. Nematode population, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase, carotenoids, anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, lignin and gene expression related to oxidative stress (thioredoxin 1, TRX) and plant defence (defensin, DEF, and a-farnesene synthase, AFS), were analysed at 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post-inoculation (dpi). At 28 dpi, PWN-infected plants elicited with chitosan showed a sixfold lower nematode population when compared to non-elicited plants. Higher levels of MDA, catalase, carotenoids, anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, and lignin were detected in chitosan-elicited plants following infection. The expression levels of DEF gene were higher in elicited plants, while TRX and AFS expression was lower, possibly due to the disease containment-effect of chitosan. Combined, we conclude that chitosan induces pine defences against PWD via modulation of metabolic and transcriptomic mechanisms related with plant antioxidant system.

Unveiling the contribution of the reproductive system of individual Caenorhabditis elegans on oxygen consumption by single-point scanning electrochemical microscopy measurements.

Metabolic analysis in animals is usually either evaluated as whole-body measurements or in isolated tissue samples. To reveal tissue specificities in vivo, this study uses scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to provide localized oxygen consumption rates (OCRs) in different regions of single adult Caenorhabditis elegans individuals. This is achieved by measuring the oxygen reduction current at the SECM tip electrode and using a finite element method model of the experiment that defines oxygen concentration and flux at the surface of the organism. SECM mapping measurements uncover a marked heterogeneity of OCR along the worm, with high respiration rates at the reproductive system region. To enable sensitive and quantitative measurements, a self-referencing approach is adopted, whereby the oxygen reduction current at the SECM tip is measured at a selected point on the worm and in bulk solution (calibration). Using genetic and pharmacological approaches, our SECM measurements indicate that viable eggs in the reproductive system are the main contributors in the total oxygen consumption of adult Caenorhabditis elegans. The finding that large regional differences in OCR exist within the animal provides a new understanding of oxygen consumption and metabolic measurements, paving the way for tissue-specific metabolic analyses and toxicity evaluation within single organisms.

Non-Destructive Measurement of the Internal Quality of Citrus Fruits Using a Portable NIR Device.

The citrus industry has grown exponentially as a result of increasing demand on its consumption, giving it high standing among other fruit crops. Therefore, the citrus sector seeks rapid, easy, and non-destructive approaches to evaluate in real time and in situ the external and internal changes in physical and nutritional quality at any stage of fruit development or storage. In particular, vitamin C is among the most important micronutrients for consumers, but its measurement relies on laborious analytical methodologies. In this study, a portable near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensor was used in combination with chemometrics to develop robust and accurate models to study the ripeness of several citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, clementines, tangerines, and Tahiti limes) and their vitamin C content. Ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, and total vitamin C were determined by HILIC-HPLC-UV, while soluble solids and total acidity were evaluated by standard analytical procedures. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to build regression models which revealed suitable performance regarding the prediction of quality and ripeness parameters in all tested fruits. Models for ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, total vitamin C, soluble solids, total acidity, and juiciness showed Rcv2 = 0.77-0.87, Rcv2 = 0.29-0.79, Rcv2 = 0.77-0.86, Rcv2 = 0.75-0.97, Rcv2 = 0.24-0.92, and Rcv2 = 0.38-0.75, respectively. Prediction models of oranges and Tahiti limes showed good to excellent performance regarding all tested conditions. The resulting models confirmed that NIRS technology is a time- and cost-effective approach for predicting citrus fruit quality, which can easily be used by the various stakeholders from the citrus industry.

A combined physiological and biophysical approach to understand the ligand-dependent efficiency of 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone Fe-chelates.

Ligands of the 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone (3,4-HPO) class were considered eligible to formulate new Fe fertilizers for Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC). Soybean (Glycine max L.) plants grown in hydroponic conditions and supplemented with Fe-chelate [Fe(mpp)3] were significantly greener, had increased biomass, and were able to translocate more iron from the roots to the shoots than those supplemented with an equal amount of the commercially available chelate [FeEDDHA]. To understand the influence of the structure of 3,4-HPO ligand on the role of the Fe-chelate to improve Fe-uptake, we investigated and report here the effect of Fe-chelates ([Fe(mpp)3], [Fe(dmpp)3], and [Fe(etpp)3]) in addressing IDC. Chlorosis development was assessed by measurement of morphological parameters, quantification of chlorophyll and Fe, and other micronutrient contents, as well as measurement of enzymatic activity (FCR) and gene expression (FRO2, IRT1, and Ferritin). All [Fe(3,4-HPO)3] chelates were able to provide Fe to plants and prevent IDC but with a different efficiency depending on the ligand. We hypothesize that this may be related with the distinct physicochemical characteristics of ligands and complexes, namely, the diverse hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of the three chelates. To test the hypothesis, we performed an EPR biophysical study using liposomes prepared from a soybean (Glycine3 max L.) lipid extract and spin probes. The results showed that the most effective chelate [Fe(mpp)3] shows a preferential location close to the surface while the others prefer the hydrophobic region inside the bilayer. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone Fe-chelates, [Fe(mpp)3], [Fe(dmpp)3], and [Fe(etpp)3], were all able to provide Fe to plants and prevent IDC. Efficacy is dependent on the structure of the ligand. From an EPR biophysical study using spin probes and liposomes, prepared from a soybean lipid extract, we hypothesize that this may be related with the distinct preferential location close to the surface or on the hydrophobic region of the lipid bilayer. [Fe(mpp)3] provide higher amounts of Fe in the leaves.

Efeitos do treinamento físico sobre parâmetros de saúde de corredores de rua recreacionais / Effects of physical training on health parameters in recreational runners

a população vem se tornando mais inativa, improdutiva e ociosa. Esses maus hábitos acumulados durante muito tempo se tornam prejudiciais à saúde, podendo ocasionar várias doen ças cardiovasculares e dislipidemias. Para prevenir e tratar essas disfunções recomenda-se a prática regular de exercícios físicos aeróbios (EFA) aliado a um fortalecimento muscular. Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de quatro semanas do treinamento combinado de corrida de rua e treinamento em circuito funcio nal ( TCF) sobre variáveis relacionadas à saúde e desempenho físico de corredores de rua recreacionais. 32 indivíduos foram divididos, de acordo com a relação cintura/quadril (RCQ), em grupo de risco baixo (GRB; 22,0 ± 1,33 anos; 168,3 ± 3,18 cm; 65,4 ± 3,39 kg), grupo de risco moderado (GRM; 27,7 ± 2 ,04 anos; 167,7 ± 2,03 cm; 71,4 ± 4,66 kg), grupo de risco alto (GRA; 26,8 ± 3,16 anos; 1 63 ,0 ± 3 ,02 cm; 71,80 ± 5,9 kg). Realizaram avaliações físicas de composição corporal, testes das cap acidades físicas (cooper, RAST, flexibilidade, impulsão horizontal e vertical), foram submet idos a quat ro sem anas de treinamento aeróbio e TCF. Foram feitos os testes ANOVA two-way para verificar as diferenças entre o s grupos, e um pós-teste tukey, adotou-se o valor de p < 0,05. Resultados apontaram melho ra n a a ptidão cardiorrespiratória (p=0,0006), aumento na massa magra (p=0,039 1), redução da RCQ (p =0 ,011 6), aumentou a força dos membros inferiores (p=0,0315) e melhora na flexibilidade (p=0,0326). Portanto tais alterações são clinicamente importantes, mostrando assim um progresso na qualidade de v ida de fo rm a ampla e aperfeiçoando também o desempenho físico desse público...(AU)

the population has become more inactive, unproductive and idle. These bad habits accumulated for a long time can become harmful to health, causing various cardiovascular diseases an d dyslipidemias. To prevent and treat these dysfunctions it is recommended to p ractice regular aerobic physical exercises together with a muscular strengthening. The aim of this st udy was t o ev aluate t he effects of four weeks of the combined training of running and training in functional circuit o n v ariabl es related to health and physical performance of recreational street runners. 32 in dividuals were div ided according to waist/hip ratio, in low risk group (22,0 ± 1,33 years old; 168,3 ± 3,18 cm; 6 5,4 ± 3 ,3 9 k g) moderate risk group (27,7 ± 2,04 years old; 167,7 ± 2,03 cm; 71,4 ± 4,66 kg) high risk group (26,8 ± 3,1 6 years old; 163,0 ± 3,02 cm; 71,80 ± 5,9 kg). Physical evaluations of body composition were p erformed and also physical ability tests, they were submitted to four weeks of aerobic training and functional circuit training. The ANOVA two-way test was performed to verify the differences between t he gro up s and a tukey post-test. The p value adopted was p < 0,05. The results indicated an improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness (p=0,0006). Therefore, such improvements are clinically significant, sh o win g a broad progress in the quality of life and also improving the physical performance of this public...(AU)

Transient gain of function of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the control of frontocortical glucose consumption in a rat model of Type-1 diabetes.

Here we aimed to unify some previous controversial reports on changes in both cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) expression and glucose metabolism in the forebrain of rodent models of diabetes. We determined how glucose metabolism and its modulation by CB1R ligands evolve in the frontal cortex of young adult male Wistar rats, in the first 8 weeks of streptozotocin-induced type-1 diabetes (T1D). We report that frontocortical CB1R protein density was biphasically altered in the first month of T1D, which was accompanied with a reduction of resting glucose uptake ex vivo in acute frontocortical slices that was normalized after eight weeks in T1D. This early reduction of glucose uptake in slices was also restored by ex vivo treatment with both the non-selective CB1R agonists, WIN55212-2 (500 nM) and the CB1R-selective agonist, ACEA (3 µM) while it was exacerbated by the CB1R-selective antagonist, O-2050 (500 nM). These results suggest a gain-of-function for the cerebrocortical CB1Rs in the control of glucose uptake in diabetes. Although insulin and IGF-1 receptor protein densities remained unaffected, phosphorylated GSKα and GSKß levels showed different profiles 2 and 8 weeks after T1D induction in the frontal cortex. Altogether, the biphasic response in frontocortical CB1R density within a month after T1D induction resolves previous controversial reports on forebrain CB1R levels in T1D rodent models. Furthermore, this study also hints that cannabinoids may be useful to alleviate impaired glucoregulation in the diabetic cortex.

The Push, Pull, and Enabling Capacities Necessary for Legume Grain Inclusion into Sustainable Agri-Food Systems and Healthy Diets.

Legume grains are traditional crops that have been modernized as processed foods and animal protein alternatives in recent years. This modernization has largely been fueled by new technological developments driven by increased consumer demands for plant protein and gluten-free options. However, consumers must be mindful that legumes have other nutritional attributes besides protein that help achieve healthier diets, and recent evidence suggests that consuming 100 g of legume grains per day would promote nutrient-dense diets and could be a target level to harmonize international strategies for recommended daily allowances. The nutritional richness of legumes has been associated with a decrease in numerous disease risk factors and, given their long shelf life, legumes are excellent choices to combat food waste and may have a role to play in countries where cold storage is often a limitation in food preservation. Besides their inclusion in global diets, legumes should be included in sustainable cropping systems. The high number of edible species and cultivars available render them excellent contributors to biodiverse food and feed systems. Legume cultivation allows reducing environmental impacts by means of the ability of legumes to fix atmospheric nitrogen via a symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, making them natural fertilizers. Still, despite the well-known health, nutritional, and environmental benefits, legumes are underrepresented in global agri-food systems. Efforts must be made to make legumes more attractive to the farmer, the industry, and ultimately the consumer, and for this proper local, regional, national, and global policy frameworks must be in place. Here, the local scenario of legumes is showcased, and the most relevant push, pull, and enabling capacities required to achieve sustainable diversified agri-food systems with legumes are discussed.

Variation in Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Seed Quality Traits Defined by Physicochemical Functional Properties.

Pea is one of the most produced and consumed pulse crops around the world. The study of genetic variability within pea germplasm is an important tool to identify outstanding accessions with optimal functional and nutritional qualities. In the present study, a collection of 105 pea accessions was analysed for physicochemical properties, pasting viscosity, and basic composition parameters. While pasting viscosities were negatively correlated to hydration capacity, cooking time, and basic composition, a positive correlation was found between the hydration capacity and the basic composition parameters. Basic composition (protein, fibre, fat, and resistant starch) parameters were further evaluated regarding seed trait morphology, namely, seed shape, colour, and surface. Allelic characterisation at the r and rb genetic loci was performed in a subgroup of 32 accessions (3 phenotyped as smooth and 29 as rough seeded), revealing that none of the initially classified rough-seeded accessions were rb mutants, 19 were r mutants, and 13 were neither r nor rb. Despite their initial phenotypic classification, the 13 accessions genetically classified as smooth behaved differently (p < 0.05) to the 19 r mutants in terms of physicochemical properties, pasting viscosity, and basic composition parameters. Using multivariate analysis of the most discriminatory parameters for the food-related traits studied, the best-performing accessions at functional and nutritional levels were identified for future plant breeding to improve field pea production and consumption.

Understanding the Role of the Antioxidant System and the Tetrapyrrole Cycle in Iron Deficiency Chlorosis.

Iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) is an abiotic stress often experienced by soybean, owing to the low solubility of iron in alkaline soils. Here, soybean lines with contrasting Fe efficiencies were analyzed to test the hypothesis that the Fe efficiency trait is linked to antioxidative stress signaling via proper management of tissue Fe accumulation and transport, which in turn influences the regulation of heme and non heme containing enzymes involved in Fe uptake and ROS scavenging. Inefficient plants displayed higher oxidative stress and lower ferric reductase activity, whereas root and leaf catalase activity were nine-fold and three-fold higher, respectively. Efficient plants do not activate their antioxidant system because there is no formation of ROS under iron deficiency; while inefficient plants are not able to deal with ROS produced under iron deficiency because ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase are not activated because of the lack of iron as a cofactor, and of heme as a constituent of those enzymes. Superoxide dismutase and peroxidase isoenzymatic regulation may play a determinant role: 10 superoxide dismutase isoenzymes were observed in both cultivars, but iron superoxide dismutase activity was only detected in efficient plants; 15 peroxidase isoenzymes were observed in the roots and trifoliate leaves of efficient and inefficient cultivars and peroxidase activity levels were only increased in roots of efficient plants.

Molecular mechanisms associated with acidification and alkalization along the larval midgut of Musca domestica.

To disclose the molecular mechanisms involved in luminal midgut buffering of M. domestica, we used RNA-seq analyses from triplicate samples of seven sections along the midgut to evaluate the expression levels of genes coding for selected manually curated protein sequences. Channels, pumps and transporters were confirmed as being apical by proteomics of purified microvillar membranes. Midgut pH determinations with a microsensor and a pH indicator were carried out in larvae in different diets with or without added compounds to evaluate the role of proteins in buffering. The data suggested that acidification occurs at middle midgut by the action of H+ V-ATPase with protons produced by carbonic anhydrase, followed by chloride ions transported by a K+Cl- symporter. K+ ions are recovered by an apical K+ channel and K+ homeostasis maintained by a basolateral Na+/K+-ATPase. Acidification is also affected by a Na+/H+ exchanger and a multidrug resistance protein. Posterior midgut alkalization results from the action of a NH3 transporter and H+-coupled peptide transporter, mainly in a diet rich in free peptides. A working model was proposed for the midgut luminal acidification and alkalization, as well as for mucosal protection against acid by a neutralized mucus layer.