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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249904.].

Fixed-bed columns packed with chitosan-magnetite (ChM) hydrogel and chitosan (Ch) hydrogel were used for the removal of arsenate ions from aqueous solutions at a pH of 7.0. The effect of flow rate (13, 20, and 25 mL/h), height of the columns (13 and 33 cm), and initial arsenate concentration (2, 5 and 10 mg/L) on the column’s efficiency for the removal of As(V) is reported. The maximum adsorption capacity (qb), obtained before the allowed concentration of contaminant is exceeded, the adsorption capacity (qe) when the column is exhausted, and the mass transfer zone were determined. With this information, the efficiency of the column was calculated, which is given by the HL/HLUB ratio. The higher this ratio, the higher the efficiency of the column. The highest efficiency and the highest uptake capacity value at breakthrough point were obtained when using the lower flow rate, lower initial arsenate concentration, and longer bed length. When 33 cm-high columns were fed with a 10 mg As(V)/L solution at 13 mL/h, the maximum uptake capacity values at exhaustion obtained for Ch and ChM were 1.24 and 3.84 mg/g, respectively. A pH increase of the solution at the column’s exit was observed and is attributed to the proton transfer from the aqueous solution to the amino and hydroxyl groups of chitosan. The incorporation of magnetite into Ch hydrogels significantly increases their capacity to remove As(V) due to the formation of complexes between arsenic and the magnetite surface. Experimental data were fitted to the Thomas model, the Yoon–Nelson model and the Bohart–Adams model using non-linear regression analysis.

In this work, for a semicontinuous emulsion polymerization reaction, it is shown that using a redox initiation system at 40°C, substantial modifications in copolymer chain composition with conversion can be easily obtained. To test controllable trajectories for comonomer feeding, linear and parabolic profiles were chosen to get different types of chain composition variations for the 50/50 w/w styrene/n-butyl acrylate system. For the “forced composition copolymers,” the molecular weight averages and distribution were obtained by size exclusion chromatography. The composition along conversion was followed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance to determine the weight composition distribution (WCD) of the copolymer chains. Mechanodynamic (dynamic-mechanical analysis), tensile, and hardness tests exhibited consistent results depending on the WCD that outcomes from the respective feeding profile. The results confirm that this methodology is of great potential for industrial applications when looking for synergy in copolymer properties, and low-cost processes.

In this work, the capability to use pine rosin as a biodegradable coupling agent/compatibilizer is studied. To formulate composites, post-consumer polypropylene and discarded agave fibers (as reinforcing agent) are coupled with pine rosin (in pure or maleated form). Besides, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) are compatibilized with maleated pine rosins to prepare biodegradable blends. For the coupling agent role, the pure or maleated rosin (Amberyl M-15A) are compared with a commercial polyolefin coupling agent (Epolene E-43), while for the blends, two maleated rosins (Amberyls M-15A and MP-30) are used as compatibilizers. Dynamic and static mechanical tests show considerable increments in moduli and strength for both types of polymeric materials surpassing the role of the Epolene E-43 for the composite materials (v.g. 45.2 vs 16.5 increment in storage modulus, or 61.5 vs 40.3 for Young’s modulus in specific tests). Scanning electron microscopy photographs clearly show the interfacial interaction effect within composites and polymer blends. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy allowed the observation of the aforementioned interactions at bond level. Blends biodegradation performed by composting for 3 months exceeded 76% of weight loss. The multirole of modified natural maleated gums as coupling agents/compatibilizers is demonstrated.

Two aquatic invasive alien rodents, the coypu (Myocastor coypus) and muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), have taken over a significant amount of wetlands in France. Pays de la Loire is an administrative region of about 32 000 km2 in the Western France with 6.3% of its area in wetlands (excluding the Loire River). Populations of coypus and muskrats are established and a permanent control programme has been set to reduce their impacts. The control plan is based on few professional trappers and many volunteers which makes this programme unique compared to other programme relying on professionals only. The aim of this study is to analyse the temporal and spatial dynamics of coypu and muskrat captures during the last 10 years to evaluate their effectiveness. The number of rodents removed per year increased by 50% in 10 years and reached about 288 000 individuals in 2016 with about 80% of them being coypus. During the same time length, the number of trappers involved in the programme also increased by 50% to reach 3 000 people in 2016. Although the raise of coypus and muskrats trapped can possibly be explained by an increase of the number of trappers, the number of coypus removed per trapper per year increased by 22%. Despite the outstanding number of individuals removed per year, our results suggest that the programme does not limit the population dynamics of coypus. Finally, since 2017, the number of data gathered from municipalities decreased, as did the total number of individuals trapped. Indeed, although rewards are crucial to recruit new volunteers, subsidies from local and regional authorities are declining. Decision makers and financers should be encouraged to fund this programme from the perspectives of the direct or indirect costs related to the presence of aquatic invasive alien rodents in wetlands.

En este trabajo se valora la eficiencia de una resina de pino modificada biodegradable (A-30), al utilizarla como compatibilizante o acoplante para sustituir al resorcinol (que es tóxico y no es biodegradable), comparando las propiedades mecánicas (contra formulaciones preparadas usando el sistema resorcinol-hexametilentetramina (R-HMT) en: a) polímeros elastoméricos reticulados de estireno-butadieno (SBR), y: b) compósitos de SBR reforzados con fibra de agave de desecho. Para la comparación como compatibilizante, aquí se preparan formulaciones equivalentes con A-30 o R-HMT. Para la comparación de los compósitos equivalentes, se varía el agente de acoplamiento (R-HMT o A-30) y la cantidad de azufre como agente de entrecruzamiento (2,5 partes por cien de elastómero (phr), 7,5 phr o 15 phr). En las pruebas de tracción a temperatura ambiente, y el análisis mecanodinámico con barridos de temperatura (de - 70 °C a 40 °C) y frecuencia (de 0,4 Hz a 40 Hz), se obtuvieron incrementos en módulos (hasta un 74 % en módulo de Young) y en capacidad de deformación (hasta 260 %), para los materiales conteniendo el agente A-30, por encima de las formulaciones en las que se usó el resorcinol. El mejor desempeño como compatibilizante o acoplante del A-30, se reflejó también con claridad morfológicamente mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido, al mostrar mayor compacidad en la matriz formulada y mayor cercanía entre fibra y matriz en muestras fracturadas criogénicamente. Se ha demostrado aquí, que el A-30 puede sustituir al par R-HMT con éxito, ya que funciona mejor como agente compatibilizante o acoplante y es biodegradable. Este tipo de agentes tiene un gran potencial para contribuir al desarrollo de elastómeros y compósitos flexibles amigables con el medio ambiente.

Water absorption and thermomechanical behavior of composites based on thermoplastic starch (TPS) are presented in this work, wherein the concentration of agave bagasse fibers (ABF, 0–15 wt%) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA, 0–30 wt%) is varied. Glycerol (G) is used as starch (S) plasticizer to form TPS. Starch stands as the polymer matrix (70/30 wt/wt, S/G). The results show that TPS hygroscopicity decreases as PLA and fiber content increase. Storage, stress-strain, and flexural moduli increase with PLA and/or agave bagasse fibers (ABF) content while impact resistance decreases. The TPS glass transition temperature increases with ABF content and decreases with PLA content. Micrographs of the studied biocomposites show a stratified brittle surface with a rigid fiber fracture.

En la búsqueda de plásticos reforzados con fibras que sean más amigables con el medio ambiente, aquí se presenta el primer estudio que evalúa la posibilidad de utilizar la brea natural de pino (en forma pura o maleinizada) como agente de acoplamiento (biodegradable). Polipropileno (matriz) y fibra de agave (Agave tequilana) de desecho a diferentes concentraciones (agente de refuerzo), fueron acoplados con cada uno de los agentes utilizados; su efecto en las propiedades mecánicas se comparó con el de un agente comercial de polipropileno modificado (Epolene E-43). Igualmente se prepararon, materiales compuestos sin agente de acoplamiento como referencia genérica. El desempeño mecanodinámico y mecanoestático de los materiales muestra claramente el incremento de propiedades mecánicas con los 3 agentes utilizados. La brea maleinizada mostró similitud o ligera superioridad sobre el agente comercial en el efecto logrado. La afectación en cristalinidad por la presencia de la fibra y el agente de acoplamiento correspondiente, fue evaluada mediante calorimetría diferencial de barrido. La absorción de agua como función del tiempo, permitió medir de forma indirecta el cambio logrado en la superficie de los materiales, y un análisis de FTIR, la valoración de la interacción fibra-polímero obtenida con el agente de acoplamiento. Tal interacción lograda con los agentes de acoplamiento, pudo ser además apreciada utilizando microscopía electrónica de barrido. Los resultados alcanzados marcan el camino para poder usar resinas naturales biodegradables como agentes de acoplamiento en el área de plásticos reforzados con fibras celulósicas. Abstract In the search of useful environmentally friendly fiber reinforced plastics, this is the first study that evaluates the capability to use natural pine rosin (in pure or maleated glycerol ester form) as a biodegradable coupling agent. Polypropylene as polymer matrix and discarded agave fiber (Agave tequilana) as reinforcing agent at different concentrations, were coupled with each one of the two rosins above mentioned; a commercial maleated polypropylene (Epolene, E-43) agent was used to compare their effect. As generic reference, composites without coupling agent were also tested. Mechanodynamic and mechanostatic tests clearly show an increment in mechanical properties of the composites, using any of the 3 coupling agents. The results obtained with maleated rosin were similar or slightly better than the ones obtained with the commercial agent for composites with high fiber content. Fiber content and coupling agent effect on composites crystallinity, was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry. In addition, water absorption as a function of time was followed to evaluate the effect of surface modification, and FTIR analysis allowed the observation of the fiber-polymer matrix interaction that was promoted with the coupling agents. The effect of such interaction obtained with the different coupling agents, was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The results show the feasibility to use the natural pine rosin in pure or modified form as biodegradable coupling agents.

Le programme PhénoFinlait a permis de nombreux développements en matière d’analyse du lait, de mise en relation des facteurs d’élevage et d’alimentation avec la composition fine du lait, et de déterminisme génétique des acides gras et protéines. Cela a été permis, en particulier, par un suivi de quelques 1500 fermes privées. Les filières laitières françaises, bovines, caprines et ovines, disposent, à l’issu de ce programme d’équations d’estimation en routine à partir des données spectrales MIR de la composition fine du lait en acides gras et protéines ; d’une nouvelle méthode hautement résolutive d’analyse qualitative et quantitative des protéines du lait ; de référentiels sur les liens entre les systèmes d’élevage et d’alimentation et la composition fine du lait, allant jusqu’à un outil de prédiction de sa composition en quelques acides gras d’un mois sur l’autre ; de populations de référence pour l’évaluation génomique et plus généralement d’une connaissance du déterminisme génétique de ces caractères. Au-delà de ces résultats, le programme PhénoFinlait est également à l’origine de méthodologies relatives à l’exploitation des spectres MIR éprouvées ainsi que de bases de données et de banques d’échantillons (lait et ADN) conséquentes, aisément mobilisables pour aller plus loin dans la caractérisation fine du lait ou pour explorer d’autres domaines (traçabilité des modes de production, suivi des animaux - santé, reproduction -, rejets de méthane entérique…). L’appropriation et la valorisation de ces acquis par les différentes filières est en cours, mais elle est encore très partielle car un travail conséquent d’explication et d’analyse cas par cas des modalités de valorisation les plus adaptées est nécessaire. Par ailleurs, plusieurs nouveaux projets sont issus ou s’appuient en partie sur l’investissement initial PhénoFinlait. Gageons que cela génère encore pendant plusieurs années des connaissances, références et outils nouveaux pour la recherche, les éleveurs et les filières françaises.

BACKGROUND: In the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, amino acid substitutions of 14alpha-demethylase (CaErg11p, CaCYP51) are associated with azole antifungals resistance. This is an area of research which is very dynamic, since the stakes concern the screening of new antifungals which circumvent resistance. The impact of amino acid substitutions on azole interaction has been postulated by homology modeling in comparison to the crystal structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT-CYP51). Modeling of amino acid residues situated between positions 428 to 459 remains difficult to explain to date, because they are in a major insertion loop specifically present in fungal species. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDING: Fluconazole resistance of clinical isolates displaying Y447H and V456I novel CaErg11p substitutions confirmed in vivo in a murine model of disseminated candidiasis. Y447H and V456I implication into fluconazole resistance was then studied by site-directed mutagenesis of wild-type CaErg11p and by heterogeneously expression into the Pichia pastoris model. CLSI modified tests showed that V447H and V456I are responsible for an 8-fold increase in fluconazole MICs of P. pastoris mutants compared to the wild-type controls. Moreover, mutants showed a sustained capacity for producing ergosterol, even in the presence of fluconazole. Based on these biological results, we are the first to propose a hybrid homology structure-function model of Ca-CYP51 using 3 different homology modeling programs. The variable position of the protein insertion loop, using different liganded or non-liganded templates of recently solved CYP51 structures, suggests its inherent flexibility. Mapping of recognized azole-resistant substitutions indicated that the flexibility of this region is probably enhanced by the relatively high glycine content of the consensus. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The results highlight the potential role of the insertion loop in azole resistance in the human pathogen C. albicans. This new data should be taken into consideration for future studies aimed at designing new antifungal agents, which circumvent azole resistance.

La première partie de cet article montre chez les ruminants comment les facteurs génétiques peuvent sous-tendre les comportements qui participent à l’adaptation des animaux aux conditions d’élevage, à savoir les comportements sociaux, maternels et avec l’homme, et plus généralement les réponses émotionnelles. La possibilité d’intégrer des critères comportementaux dans les programmes de sélection en élevage de ruminants est alors avancée au-delà de leur simple prise en compte implicite dans les performances. La seconde partie de l’article discute les problèmes qui peuvent biaiser l’évaluation génétique des comportements et ainsi freiner l’intégration de caractéristiques comportementales dans de futurs schémas de sélection. Cela concerne à la fois le manque de validation dans les procédures expérimentales visant à évaluer les capacités réactionnelles des ruminants, la diversité des mécanismes qui sous-tendent les réponses comportementales, et les interactions entre facteurs génétiques et conditions environnementales qui réduisent la répétabilité des mesures comportementales, indispensable pour tenter de définir des caractéristiques réactionnelles stables. Enfin, une réflexion concernant les éventuelles conséquences des programmes actuels de sélection sur le bien-être des ruminants est également posée.

La sélection des races bovines laitières s’effectue en France au travers d’un index de synthèse économique laitière (INEL). La formulation de celui-ci a été remise à jour en 1993 pour mieux tenir compte de la situation concrète des quotas laitiers, avec modulation pour les dépassements de taux butyreux par rapport à la référence. L’article explicite les raisonnements, hypothèses et paramètres tant économiques que génétiques, utilisés pour l’examen de plusieurs alternatives possibles. Les hypothèses essentielles sont la constance des surfaces et des quotas par exploitation ainsi que la prise en considération de marges nettes incluant les charges fixes. La solution finalement retenue (INEL 1993) n’accorde plus aucun intérêt économique à l’augmentation de la production de matière grasse par vache. La sélection sur ce nouvel index entraînera une augmentation du taux protéique et une amélioration du rapport taux protéique/taux butyreux. Le taux butyreux diminuera en race Holstein et restera approximativement constant dans les races Normande et Montbéliarde.

Abstract Background LC-MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis is a potent tool in biomarkers discovery characterized by its high sensitivity and high throughput capacity. However, methods based on MALDI-TOF/TOF for biomarkers discovery still need optimization, in particular to reduce analysis time and to evaluate their reproducibility for peak intensities measurement. The aims of this methodological study were: (i) to optimize and critically evaluate each step of urine biomarker discovery method based on Nano-LC coupled off-line to MALDI-TOF/TOF, taking full advantage of the dual decoupling between Nano-LC, MS and MS/MS to reduce the overall analysis time; (ii) to evaluate the quantitative performance and reproducibility of nano-LC-MALDI analysis in biomarker discovery; and (iii) to evaluate the robustness of biomarkers selection. Results A pool of urine sample spiked at increasing concentrations with a mixture of standard peptides was used as a specimen for biological samples with or without biomarkers. Extraction and nano-LC-MS variabilities were estimated by analyzing in triplicates and hexaplicates, respectively. The stability of chromatographic fractions immobilised with MALDI matrix on MALDI plates was evaluated by successive MS acquisitions after different storage times at different temperatures. Low coefficient of variation (CV%: 10–22%) and high correlation (R2 > 0.96) values were obtained for the quantification of the spiked peptides, allowing quantification of these peptides in the low fentomole range, correct group discrimination and selection of "specific" markers using principal component analysis. Excellent peptide integrity and stable signal intensity were found when MALDI plates were stored for periods of up to 2 months at +4°C. This allowed storage of MALDI plates between LC separation and MS acquisition (first decoupling), and between MS and MSMS acquisitions while the selection of inter-group discriminative ions is done (second decoupling). Finally the recording of MSMS spectra to obtain structural information was focused only on discriminative ions in order to minimize analysis time. Conclusion Contrary to other classical approaches with direct online coupling of chromatographic separation and on the flight MS and/or MSMS data acquisition for all detected analytes, our dual decoupling strategy allowed us to focus on the most discriminative analytes, giving us more time to acquire more replicates of the same urine samples thus increasing detection sensitivity and mass precision.

Semicontinuous seeded emulsion copolymerizations, using 5 different types of feeding profiles of comonomers (styrene/butyl acrylate, S/BA) were carried out, to vary in a gradual manner the composition of the copolymer chains formed throughout the reactions (gradient composition copolymer, GCC). For comparison, equivalent core-shell type polymeric materials were synthesized in two stages (T-S). In all reactions, the S/BA global mass ratio was: 70/30. To estimate the weight composition distribution (WCD) of the copolymer chains, the cumulative styrene content in the polymer mass was followed throughout the reaction (1H-NMR). Average molecular weights were determined using SEC. The differences in mechanical performance were established, carrying out a mechanodynamic (DMA), and mechanostatic characterization (stress-strain at several temperatures and, Izod testing). The area under the loss modulus curve (LA) was correlated with Izod impact strength, showing the damping superiority of the GCCs over the T-S material. At all tested temperatures (between 25 and 70 °C), the GCC materials exhibited yielding and plastic deformation, while the T-S material presented brittle fracture in that temperature interval. The WCDs were used to elucidate the differences in mechanical behaviour among GCC materials. The feeding profile variation in combination with the WCD analysis represents a novel methodology to produce tailor made copolymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the plumbagin content in the carnivorous plant Aldrovanda vesiculosa shoots. Physiological functions of plumbagin in Aldrovanda vesiculosa; Evidences of high plumbagin content in Aldrovanda species; Methods of quantitative plumbagin determination in Aldrovanda vesiculosa; Description of Aldrovanda vesiculosa.