Community composting strategies for biowaste treatment: methodology, bulking agent and compost quality.

The European Union's commitment to increase recycling and recovery rates of municipal solid waste requires significant changes in current waste management. Local governments are developing various strategies for treating the organic fraction of municipal waste (biowaste) via composting. Community composting centres (CCC), green waste collection, treatment points and community gardens are some of these new approaches. Population density and spatial distribution, together with the existence of community green areas, determine the location of the various infrastructures for recycling local biowaste. The composting process consumes high amounts of bulking agent (BA) necessary to provide the structure that allows, amongst other uses, biowaste aeration and microbial surface colonisation. Shredded green waste from parks, gardens and households can be used as BA in community composting and home composting. In this study, a total of 46 compost samples obtained from CCC with two types of handling were analysed: 22 samples treated by vertical flow (VF) and 24 samples treated by horizontal flow (HF). The HF model allowed better use of the volume of modular composting units and the VF model required less effort and time for the CCC operator. Mature, stable and high-nutrient-content composts were obtained with both models. These composts met the legal requirements to be used as an organic amendment, and they can be delivered to the participants or used in community gardens in the municipality.

Additive effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in combination with multicomponent training on elderly physical function capacity: a randomized, triple blind, controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the additive effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) associated with multi-component training (MT) on the functional capacity (FC) of older adults and to assess whether these effects remain after the end of training. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the locomotion capacity, balance, functional independence, and quality of life and correlate them with functional capacity. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-eight older adults were randomized into two groups: experimental (MT associated with active tDCS - a-tDCS) and control (MT associated with sham tDCS - s-tDCS). The FC was measured by the Glittre-ADL test, locomotion capacity by the 6-minute walk test, balance by the BESTest, functional independence by the FIM, and quality of life by the WHQOL. The assessments were performed pre-, post-intervention, and 30-day follow-up. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the time to the Glittre-ADL test when comparing the a-tDCS and s-tDCS groups after the interventions (139.77 ± 21.62, 205.10 ± 43.02, p < .001) and at the 30-day follow-up (142.74 ± 17.12, 219.55 ± 54.05, p < .001), respectively. There was a moderate correlation between FC and locomotion capacity and balance. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of tDCS potentiated the results of MT to impact FC, maintaining the positive results longer. Locomotion and balance influenced the improvement of functional capacity.

Gut-Kidney Axis on Chip for Studying Effects of Antibiotics on Risk of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome by Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infects humans by colonizing the large intestine, and causes kidney damage by secreting Shiga toxins (Stxs). The increased secretion of Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) by some antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin (CIP), increases the risk of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), which can be life-threatening. However, previous studies evaluating this relationship have been conflicting, owing to the low frequency of EHEC infection, very small number of patients, and lack of an appropriate animal model. In this study, we developed gut-kidney axis (GKA) on chip for co-culturing gut (Caco-2) and kidney (HKC-8) cells, and observed both STEC O157:H7 (O157) infection and Stx intoxication in the gut and kidney cells on the chip, respectively. Without any antibiotic treatment, O157 killed both gut and kidney cells in GKA on the chip. CIP treatment reduced O157 infection in the gut cells, but increased Stx2-induced damage in the kidney cells, whereas the gentamycin treatment reduced both O157 infection in the gut cells and Stx2-induced damage in the kidney cells. This is the first report to recapitulate a clinically relevant situation, i.e., that CIP treatment causes more damage than gentamicin treatment. These results suggest that GKA on chip is very useful for simultaneous observation of O157 infections and Stx2 poisoning in gut and kidney cells, making it suitable for studying the effects of antibiotics on the risk of HUS.

Efeitos do método pilates sobre a capacidade funcional, fatores antropométricos, marcadores inflamatórios e qualidade de vida em idosas sedentárias / Effects of the pilates method on functional capacity, anthropometric factors, inflammatory markers and quality of life in sedentary elderly women

O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar os efeitos de exercícios físicos baseados no método Pilates solo sobre a capacidade funcional, fatores antropométricos, níveis de marcadores inflamatórios circulantes e a qualidade de vida em idosas sedentárias. Trata­se de um delineamento quase experimental com pré e pós teste. A amostra foi constituída por 33 mulheres idosas com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos. Para avaliar a capacidade funcional (CF) foram utilizados os testes de velocidade de caminhada (VC) e de força de preensão manual (FPM). Para avaliar a presença de marcadores inflamatórios foram realizados exames laboratoriais a fim de quantificar os níveis séricos de proteína C reativa ultrassensível (PCR-us) e fibrinogênio. E para avaliar a qualidade de vida (QV) foi utilizado o questionário SF ­ 36. Na análise estatística utilizou-se o teste de normalidade Shapiro Wilk. Para os dados paramétricos teste t pareado e ANOVA one Way e, para os dados não paramétricos, o teste Wilcoxon e Kruskal-Wallis. O teste Qui-Quadrado foi utilizado para analises de associações. Os dados foram analisados pelo no programa SPSS-IBM, versão 22.0 devidamente registrado. O nível de significância adotado foi de p≤0,05. O grupo Pilates não apresentou alterações estatisticamente significativas em relação à CF (p>0,05), porém as demais variáveis apresentaram diferença significativa. Para variáveis antropométricas, PCR e fibrinogênio (p < 0,05); e QV, dois domínios apresentaram alterações significativas: limitações por aspectos físicos (p=0,045) e dor (p=0,011). Conclui-se que a prática do método Pilates solo promoveu redução significativa sobre a composição corporal, sobre os níveis séricos de marcadores inflamatórios, sobre a qualidade de vida e manutenção da capacidade funcional de idosas sedentárias. (AU)

The aim of the present study was investigate the effects of exercises based on the Pilates method on functional capacity, anthropometric factors, levels of circulating inflammatory markers and quality of life in sedentary elderly women. It is an almost experimental design with pre and post-test. The sample considered of 33 elderly individuals, aged 60 years and female. In order to evaluate the functional capacity (FC), the tests of walking speed (WS) and manual grip strength (MGS) were used; to evaluate the presence of inflammatory markers, laboratory tests were performed to quantify the serum levels of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, and the SF-36 questionnaire was used to evaluate the quality of life. For statistical analysis, Shapiro Wilk normality test was used. For parametric data, paired t- test and one-way ANOVA were used, and for nonparametric data, the Wilcoxon and Kruskal -Wallis test. Chi-square test was used for association analysis. All data were analyzed by SPSS-IBM, version 22.0 duly registered and the significance level of p ≤0.05 was stipulated. The Pilates group did not present significant alterations in relation to CF (p> 0.05), but the other variables presented. Anthropometric variables (total body mass, BMI, waist and hip circumference), C-reactive protein and fibrinogen (p< 0,05); and in relation to QV, two domains presented significant changes: limitations by physical aspects (p = 0.045) and pain (p = 0.011). It was concluded that the Pilates solo practice promoted a significant reduction in body composition, serum levels of inflammatory markers, quality of life and maintenance of functional capacity

A genome-wide analysis of cardiac lesions of pigs that die during transport: Is heart failure of in-transit-loss pigs associated with a heritable cardiomyopathy?

While heart failure is a primary cause of death for many in-transit-loss (ITL) pigs, the underlying cause of these deaths is not known. Cardiomyopathies are considered a common cause of heart failure in humans and often have a genetic component. The objective of this study was to determine if genes associated with cardiomyopathies could be identified in ITL pigs. Samples from the hearts of pigs that died during transport to an abattoir in Ontario, Canada were collected and genotyped along with samples from pigs that did not die during transport (ILT hearts: n = 149; non-ITL/control hearts: n = 387). Genome-wide analyses were carried out on each of the determined phenotypes (gross cardiac lesions) using a medium density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip and 500 kb windows/regions for analysis, with 250 kb regions of overlap. The distribution derived by a multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis of all phenotypes demonstrated a lack of complete separation between phenotypes of affected and unaffected animals, which made diagnosis difficult. Although genetic differences were small, a few genes associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVM) were identified. In addition, multiple genes associated with cardiac arrhythmias and ventricular hypertrophy were identified that can possibly result in heart failure. The results of this preliminary study did not provide convincing evidence that a single, heritable cardiomyopathy is the cause of heart failure in ITL pigs.

Bien que l'insuffisance cardiaque soit la principale cause de décès chez de nombreux porcs perdus en transit (ITL), la cause sous-jacente de ces décès n'est pas connue. Les cardiomyopathies sont considérées comme une cause fréquente d'insuffisance cardiaque chez l'homme et ont souvent une composante génétique. L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer si des gènes associés aux cardiomyopathies pouvaient être identifiés chez les porcs ITL. Des échantillons de coeurs de porcs morts pendant le transport vers un abattoir en Ontario, au Canada, ont été prélevés et génotypés avec des échantillons de porcs qui ne sont pas morts pendant le transport (coeurs ILT: n = 149; coeurs non ITL/témoins: n = 387). Des analyses à l'échelle du génome ont été effectuées sur chacun des phénotypes déterminés (lésions cardiaques macroscopiques) en utilisant une puce de polymorphisme nucléotidique unique (SNP) de densité moyenne et des fenêtres/régions de 500 kb pour l'analyse, avec des régions de chevauchement de 250 kb. La distribution dérivée par une analyse de mise à l'échelle multidimensionnelle (MDS) de tous les phénotypes a démontré un manque de séparation complète entre les phénotypes des animaux affectés et non affectés, ce qui a rendu le diagnostic difficile. Bien que les différences génétiques soient minimes, quelques gènes associés à la cardiomyopathie dilatée (DCM) et à la cardiomyopathie arythmogène ventriculaire droite (ARVM) ont été identifiés. De plus, plusieurs gènes associés aux arythmies cardiaques et à l'hypertrophie ventriculaire ont été identifiés, pouvant éventuellement entraîner une insuffisance cardiaque. Les résultats de cette étude préliminaire n'ont pas fourni de preuves convaincantes qu'une seule cardiomyopathie héréditaire est la cause de l'insuffisance cardiaque chez les porcs ITL.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Nightside condensation of iron in an ultrahot giant exoplanet.

Ultrahot giant exoplanets receive thousands of times Earth's insolation1,2. Their high-temperature atmospheres (greater than 2,000 kelvin) are ideal laboratories for studying extreme planetary climates and chemistry3-5. Daysides are predicted to be cloud-free, dominated by atomic species6 and much hotter than nightsides5,7,8. Atoms are expected to recombine into molecules over the nightside9, resulting in different day and night chemistries. Although metallic elements and a large temperature contrast have been observed10-14, no chemical gradient has been measured across the surface of such an exoplanet. Different atmospheric chemistry between the day-to-night ('evening') and night-to-day ('morning') terminators could, however, be revealed as an asymmetric absorption signature during transit4,7,15. Here we report the detection of an asymmetric atmospheric signature in the ultrahot exoplanet WASP-76b. We spectrally and temporally resolve this signature using a combination of high-dispersion spectroscopy with a large photon-collecting area. The absorption signal, attributed to neutral iron, is blueshifted by -11 ± 0.7 kilometres per second on the trailing limb, which can be explained by a combination of planetary rotation and wind blowing from the hot dayside16. In contrast, no signal arises from the nightside close to the morning terminator, showing that atomic iron is not absorbing starlight there. We conclude that iron must therefore condense during its journey across the nightside.

Resistance training and innate immunosenescence of the innate immune system / Entrenamiento de resistencia e inmunosenescencia del sistema inmune innato / Treinamento resistido e imunossenescência do sistema imune inato

Phagocytic cells constitute the first defense line against the diversity of infectious agents. The effects of aging on the immune function - immunosenescence - affect the phagocytic capacity of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages and result in increased risk to cancer and other diseases. The aim of this review was to assess the functional aspects of the innate system cells in aging. Evidence brought about by this review suggests that resistance training is a useful therapy to mitigate the adverse effects of the innate immune system aging process. Resistance training is consistently recommended as assistent strategy for prevention of the inflamaging and associated chronic diseases, but establishing adequate program is still in demand. In addition, future studies are needed to improve our understanding of the resistance training-induced mechanisms underlying changes in phagocytic activity in the elderly

Las células fagocíticas constituyen la primera línea de defensa contra los agentes infecciosos. Los efectos del envejecimiento sobre la función inmune - inmunosenescencia - afectan la capacidad fagocítica de neutrófilos y monocitos/macrófagos y resultan en riesgo aumentado para el cáncer y otras enfermedades. El objetivo de esta revisión fue evaluar los aspectos funcionales de las células del sistema innato en el envejecimiento. Las evidencias revisadas sugieren que el entrenamiento de resistencia es una terapia útil para atenuar los efectos adversos del proceso de envejecimiento del sistema inmune innato. Se recomienda el entrenamiento de resistencia continuamente como estrategia complementaria para la prevención de la inflamación y de las enfermedades crónicas asociadas, pero hay que establecer el programa adecuado. Además, se necesitan más investigaciones para mejorar nuestra comprensión de los mecanismos modulados por el entrenamiento de resistencia que inducen a los cambios en la actividad fagocítica en las personas mayores

As células fagocitárias constituem a primeira linha de defesa contra agentes infecciosos. Os efeitos do envelhecimento sobre a função imune - imunossenescência - afetam a capacidade fagocítica de neutrófilos e monócitos/macrófagos e resultam em aumento do risco para câncer e outras doenças. O objetivo desta revisão foi avaliar os aspectos funcionais das células do sistema inato durante o envelhecimento. Os estudos revisados sugerem que o treinamento resistido é uma terapia útil para atenuar os efeitos adversos do processo de envelhecimento do sistema imune inato. Recomenda-se que o treinamento resistido seja aplicado continuamente como estratégia complementar para a prevenção da inflamação e doenças crônicas associadas, porém deve-se estabelecer o programa adequado. Ressalta-se ainda que, são necessários mais estudos para melhorar a compreensão sobre os mecanismos modulados pelo treinamento resistido que induzem a alterações na atividade fagocítica em idosos

Thermophilic composting of hydrocarbon residue with sewage sludge and fish sludge as cosubstrates: Microbial changes and TPH reduction.

The hydrocarbon residue in petroleum product storage tanks is waste generated in large quantities that must be properly managed to reduce its risk to the environment. By comparing the effect of two organic cosubstrates, the aim of our research is to determine the feasibility of composting as a bioremediation method for the treatment of the solid phase of the hydrocarbon residue. For this purpose, four treatments of the pollutant waste were established in triplicate: waste only; waste with bulking agent (1:2); waste with fish sludge and bulking agent (1:2:6); and waste with municipal sewage sludge and bulking agent (1:2:6). The composting system consisted of 12 reactors with a capacity of 30 L, each equipped with aeration and temperature control. Both at the beginning and the end of the experiment (20 days), we evaluated the physicochemical parameters, the structure of the microbial community through phospholipid fatty acid analysis, and the total petroleum hydrocarbon content (TPH). Treatments with cosubstrates maintained thermophilic temperatures, during 14 and 8 days in fish and municipal sludge respectively, while in the controls mesophilic conditions were maintained. The incorporation of fish sludge decreased TPH present in the initial mixture by 39.5%. The municipal sludge treatment resulted in a lower of temperatures and a TPH decrease close to 23.9%. In the control treatments, there was a slight TPH decrease, mainly due to the forced ventilation. Although, both composting treatments with cosubstrates proved adequate for the bioremediation of residue from hydrocarbon storage tanks, fish sludge presented best bioremediation conditions. Municipal sewage sludge provided a bioaugmentation effect due to its rich diversity and microbial biomass. Fish sludge could have biostimulant and surfactant effect producing an aliphatic mixture of pollutant waste with the nutritional requirements to promote the development of fungal communities.

Rapid Communication: A comparison of cardiac lesions and heart weights from market pigs that did and did not die during transport to one Ontario abattoir.

In-transit losses of market hogs represent a small proportion of all market-weight pigs shipped in a year. This suggests that individual pig factors may be a significant cause of in-transit losses along with more traditionally considered environmental and transport factors. An investigation was performed to determine whether cardiac pathology and heart weights were associated with pigs that did or did not die during transport to an abattoir. The hearts from 70 pigs that died in-transit to one Ontario abattoir and 388 pigs that arrived alive were collected and examined. Hearts from pigs that died during transport demonstrated greater frequencies of cardiac lesions (P < 0.05). These included hypertrophy of ventricle walls (Left: 97% vs. 64%; Right: 86% vs. 57%), dilation of ventricle chambers (Left: 79% vs. 0.5%; Right: 100% vs. 5%), and dilation of the pulmonary artery and aorta (59% vs. 1.5%). Total heart weight to body weight ratios were increased (3.6 vs. 3.3 g/kg) and left ventricle plus septum weight over right ventricle weight ratio was decreased in pigs that died during transport over non-in-transit loss pigs (2.5 vs. 2.8; P < 0.05). This may indicate reduced cardiac function in hogs that died during transport. Pigs with reduced cardiac function would have exercise intolerance and be more susceptible to death during transport due to the increased cardiac workload required during sorting, loading, and transport of the pigs to the abattoir. Further research to quantify cardiac function in pigs with cardiac lesions or abnormal heart weight ratios is warranted.

Cardiac weights and weight ratios as indicators of cardiac lesions in pigs: A study of pig hearts from an Ontario abattoir.

Clinically healthy pigs used in research are assumed to have normal cardiac structure and function. Subclinical cardiac abnormalities may adversely affect the responses being measured in these experiments. The gross and histologic lesions observed in hearts collected from a Canadian abattoir between 2012 and 2015 indicated an unexpectedly high prevalence of cardiac abnormalities: 75% (297/396) of the hearts examined had such lesions. The ratios of total heart weight to body weight and of right ventricle weight to body weight were significantly greater for the hearts with lesions than for the hearts with no lesions, which suggests that cardiac remodeling, particularly hypertrophy, had occurred. The large percentage of hearts with cardiac remodeling from asymptomatic market pigs demonstrates an increased probability that subclinical cardiac abnormalities may exist in research pigs, especially those accessed through commercial channels. Researchers should be aware of this likelihood if subclinical cardiac abnormalities could adversely affect their experimental findings.

Les porcs cliniquement en santé utilisés en recherche sont présumés avoir une structure et fonction cardiaques normales. Des anormalités cardiaques sous-cliniques peuvent affecter de manière adverse les réponses étant mesurées dans ces expériences. Les lésions macroscopiques et histologiques observées dans les coeurs amassés d'un abattoir canadien entre 2012 et 2015 ont indiqué une prévalence élevée inattendue d'anormalités cardiaques : 75 % (297/396) des coeurs examinés avaient de telles lésions. Les ratios poids total du coeur/poids corporel et poids du ventricule droit/poids du corps étaient significativement plus élevés pour les coeurs avec lésions comparativement aux coeurs sans lésions, ce qui suggère qu'un remodelage cardiaque, particulièrement une hypertrophie, est survenue. Le pourcentage élevé de coeurs avec remodelage cardiaque provenant de porcs asymptomatiques prêts pour le marché démontre une probabilité accrue que des anormalités cardiaques souscliniques peuvent exister chez des porcs utilisés en recherche, spécialement ceux obtenus via des voies commerciales. Les chercheurs devraient être au fait de cette possibilité si des anormalités cardiaques sous-cliniques pouvaient affecter négativement leurs trouvailles expérimentales.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Walking Speed, Risk Factors, and Cardiovascular Events in Older Adults-Systematic Review.

Fonseca Alves, DJ, Bartholomeu-Neto, J, Júnior, ER, Ribeiro Zarricueta, BS, Nóbrega, OT, and Córdova, C. Walking speed, risk factors, and cardiovascular events in older adults-systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 31(11): 3235-3244, 2017-It is important that new clinical measures can identify risk factors and predict cardiovascular events. Although the walking speed (WS) test is a potential candidate, consolidating data from multiple studies is required to determine comparative references. We examined the associations of WS measures with markers of cardiovascular risk and with cardiovascular events in noninstitutionalized subjects older than 60 years. A systematic review of observational studies was conducted using MEDLINE and SCOPUS from inception of the databases to December 2014, aiming at studies that evaluated WS as the primary outcome (usual or maximal pace) within a distance ≤20 m associated with cardiovascular health. All 15 included studies (29,845 subjects) reported significant associations of WS with different cardiovascular risk factors (coronary artery calcification, C-reactive protein, hypertension, diabetes, and intima-media thickness) and occurrence of cardiovascular events (peripheral artery disease, stroke, and mortality). Approximately 80% of the studies used a distance ≤6 m and WS at usual pace. There was high heterogeneity in the risk thresholds established by different studies. Our results suggest usefulness of the WS test as a tool for cardiovascular risk stratification in older adults. However, the variation in speed thresholds and diversity of protocols among studies suggest caution when generalizing results to different older adult populations. Because the WS test is a simple, cheap, and safe tool to administer, we make suggestions for its standardization in future studies.

Product quality and microbial dynamics during vermicomposting and maturation of compost from pig manure.

This research evaluates, through microbial dynamics, the use of earthworms Eisenia andrei for maturation of pre-composted pig manure in comparison with maturation under static conditions and with vermicomposting of fresh pig manure. Therefore, two substrates were used (fresh and pre-composted pig manure) and four treatments were developed: fresh manure vermicomposting, control of fresh manure without earthworms, pre-composting followed by vermicomposting and static maturation of pre-composted manure. In order to determine the microbial dynamics, the enzymatic activities and profiles of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) were evaluated over a 112-days period. Physicochemical and biological parameters of the obtained products were also analyzed. The presence of earthworms significantly reduced (p<0.05) microbial biomass and all the microbial groups (Gram+bacteria, Gram-bacteria, and fungi) in both substrates. The enzymatic activities (cellulase, ß-glucosidase and acid phosphatase) behaved in a significantly distinctive manner (p<0.05) depending on the treatment. Microbial communities had significant correlations (p<0.05) with hydrolytic activities during static maturation of pre-composted manure. This indicates a direct effect of microbiota evolution on the degradative processes; however, complex earthworm-microbiota interactions were established in the presence of E. andrei. After earthworms' removal from vermicompost of fresh substrate at 70day, an increase in Gram + (4.4 times), Gram - (3.8 times) and fungi (2.8 times) were observed and, although the vermicompost achieved quality values, it is necessary to optimize the vermicompost aging phase period to improve the stability. Static maturation presented stability on microbial dynamics that indicated a slow degradation of organic compounds so that, maturation of pre-composted manure through vermicomposting is better option.

New copper(I) and heteronuclear copper(I)-ruthenium(II) complexes: Synthesis, structural characterization and cytotoxicity.

A new family of copper(I) complexes of general formula [Cu(dppe)(NN)]+ have been synthesized and fully characterized, with dppe=1.2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane and NN representing several bidentate heteroaromatic ligands: 2,2'-bipy=2.2'-bipyridine (1), Me2bpy=4.4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (2), dpytz=3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine (3), dpp=2.3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (4), and the metallaligand [Ru(η5-C5H5)(PPh3)(dpp)]+ (5), yielding the bimetallic copper(I)-ruthenium(II) complex [Cu(dppe)(µ-dpp)Ru(η5-C5H5)(PPh3)]2+ (6). The single crystal structures of complexes (2) and (4) were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. All the complexes exhibit high cytotoxicity against the human cancer cells A2780 and MCF7 with IC50 values far lower than those found for the antitumor drug cisplatin in the same cell lines and even surpassing cisplatin resistance in the A2780cisR cells. They display IC50 values on the human embryonic kidney HEK293 non-tumoral cells of the same order of magnitude as those found for the tumoral cells. In the ovarian cells the compounds induce rapid production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) probably through mitochondrial pathways. According to the results reported here, these compounds can be considered as prospective antitumoral agents that deserve further evaluation.

Seafood-Processing Sludge Composting: Changes to Microbial Communities and Physico-Chemical Parameters of Static Treatment versus for Turning during the Maturation Stage.

In general, in composting facilities the active, or intensive, stage of the process is done separately from the maturation stage, using a specific technology and time. The pre-composted material to be matured can contain enough biodegradable substrates to cause microbial proliferation, which in turn can cause temperatures to increase. Therefore, not controlling the maturation period during waste management at an industrial level can result in undesired outcomes. The main hypothesis of this study is that controlling the maturation stage through turning provides one with an optimized process when compared to the static approach. The waste used was sludge from a seafood-processing plant, mixed with shredded wood (1:2, v/v). The composting system consists of an intensive stage in a 600L static reactor, followed by maturation in triplicate in 200L boxes for 112 days. Two tests were carried out with the same process in reactor and different treatments in boxes: static maturation and turning during maturation when the temperature went above 55°C. PLFAs, organic matter, pH, electrical conductivity, forms of nitrogen and carbon, hydrolytic enzymes and respiratory activity were periodically measured. Turning significantly increased the duration of the thermophilic phase and consequently increased the organic-matter degradation. PCA differentiated significantly the two treatments in function of tracking parameters, especially pH, total carbon, forms of nitrogen and C/N ratio. So, stability and maturity optimum values for compost were achieved in less time with turnings. Whereas turning resulted in microbial-group stabilization and a low mono/sat ratio, static treatment produced greater variability in microbial groups and a high mono/sat ratio, the presence of more degradable substrates causes changes in microbial communities and their study during maturation gives an approach of the state of organic-matter degradation. Obtaining quality compost and optimizing the composting process requires using turning as a control mechanism during maturation.

Evolution of microbial dynamics during the maturation phase of the composting of different types of waste.

During composting, facilities usually exert greater control over the bio-oxidative phase of the process, which uses a specific technology and generally has a fixed duration. After this phase, the material is deposited to mature, with less monitoring during the maturation phase. While there has been considerable study of biological parameters during the thermophilic phase, there is less research on the stabilization and maturation phase. This study evaluates the effects of the type of starting material on the evolution of microbial dynamics during the maturation phase of composting. Three waste types were used: sludge from the fish processing industry, municipal sewage sludge and pig manure, each independently mixed with shredded pine wood as bulking agent. The composting system for each waste type comprised a static reactor with capacity of 600L for the bio-oxidative phase followed by stabilization and maturation phase in triplicate 200L boxes for 112days. Phospholipid fatty acids, enzyme activities and physico-chemical parameters were measured throughout the maturation phase. The evolution of the total microbial biomass, Gram + bacteria, Gram - bacteria, fungi and enzymatic activities (ß-glucosidase, cellulase, protease, acid and alkaline phosphatase) depended significantly on the waste type (p<0.001). The predominant microbial community for each waste type remained present throughout the maturation process, indicating that the waste type determines the microorganisms that are able to develop at this stage. While fungi predominated during fish sludge maturation, manure and municipal sludge were characterized by a greater proportion of bacteria. Both the structure of the microbial community and enzymatic activities provided important information for monitoring the composting process. More attention should be paid to the maturation phase in order to optimize composting.

Outbreak investigation of porcine epidemic diarrhea in swine in Ontario.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus was first diagnosed in Ontario in January of 2014. An outbreak investigation was conducted and it was hypothesized that feed containing spray-dried porcine plasma contaminated with the virus was a risk factor in the introduction and spread of the disease in Ontario.

Enquête sur l'éclosion de la diarrhée porcine épidémique chez les porcs de l'Ontario. Le virus de la diarrhée épidémique porcine a été diagnostiqué pour la première fois en Ontario en janvier 2014. Une enquête a été réalisée sur l'éclosion et on a émis l'hypothèse que les aliments contenant du plasma porcin séché par atomisation contaminé par le virus représentait un facteur de risque pour l'introduction et la propagation de la maladie en Ontario.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Changes in microbial dynamics during vermicomposting of fresh and composted sewage sludge.

Municipal sewage sludge is a waste with high organic load generated in large quantities that can be treated by biodegradation techniques to reduce its risk to the environment. This research studies vermicomposting and vermicomposting after composting of sewage sludge with the earthworm specie Eisenia andrei. In order to determine the effect that earthworms cause on the microbial dynamics depending on the treatment, the structure and activity of the microbial community was assessed using phospholipid fatty acid analysis and enzyme activities, during 112days of vermicomposting of fresh and composted sewage sludge, with and without earthworms. The presence of earthworms significantly reduced microbial biomass and all microbial groups (Gram+ bacteria, Gram- bacteria and fungi), as well as cellulase and alkaline phosphatase activities. Combined composting-vermicomposting treatment showed a lesser development of earthworms, higher bacterial and fungal biomass than vermicomposting treatment and greater differences, compared with the control without earthworms, in cellulase, ß-glucosidase, alkaline and acid phosphatase. Both treatments were suitable for the stabilization of municipal sewage sludge and the combined composting-vermicomposting treatment can be a viable process for maturation of fresh compost.

Adaptation to Resistance Training Is Associated with Higher Phagocytic (but Not Oxidative) Activity in Neutrophils of Older Women.

Failure in antimicrobial activity contributes to high morbidity and mortality in the geriatric population. Little is known about the potential effect of resistance training (RT) on the functional properties of the innate immunity. This study aimed to investigate the influence of long-term RT on the endocytic and oxidative activities of neutrophils and monocytes in healthy older women. Our results indicate that the phagocytosis index (PhI) of neutrophils (but not of monocytes) in the RT-adapted group was significantly higher (P < 0.001; effect size, (d) = 0.90, 95% CI: [0.75-1.04]) compared to that in sedentary subjects. In contrast, the oxidative activity of either neutrophils or monocytes was not significantly influenced by RT. Also, total energy and carbohydrate intake as well as serum IL6 levels had a significant influence on the phagocytic activity of neutrophils (P = 0.04), being considered in the model. Multivariate regression identified the physical condition of the subject (ß = 0.425; P = 0.01) as a significant predictor of PhI. In conclusion, circulating neutrophils of older women adapted to a long-term RT program expressed higher phagocytic activity.

G-quadruplex-binding benzo[a]phenoxazines down-regulate c-KIT expression in human gastric carcinoma cells.

There is considerable interest in the structure and function of G-quadruplex nucleic acid secondary structures, their cellular functions, and their potential as therapeutic targets. G-Quadruplex sequence motifs are prevalent in gene promoter regions and it has been hypothesized that G-quadruplex structure formation is associated with the transcriptional status of the downstream gene. Using a functional cell-based assay, we have identified two novel G-quadruplex ligands that reduce the transcription of a luciferase reporter driven from the G-quadruplex-containing c-KIT promoter. We have further shown that endogenous c-KIT expression in a human gastric carcinoma cell line is also reduced on treatment with these molecules. Biophysical analysis using surface plasmon resonance has shown that these molecules preferentially bind with high affinity to one of the two G-quadruplex sequences in the c-KIT promoter over double-stranded DNA. This work highlights the utility of cell-based reporter assays to identify new G-quadruplex binding molecules that modulate transcription and identifies benzo[a]phenoxazine derivatives as potential antitumor agents.