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The binding of genetically engineered Family II cellulose binding domains (CBDs) of Cellumonas fimi cellulases to cotton fabrics was studied and possible textile applications were investigated. Family II CBDs bound to cotton cellulose increased dye affinity, especially for acid dyes, but with very poor washing fastness. Ironing of the protein bound fabrics before dyeing increases dye affinity, which is probably due to protein denaturation and thus increases exposition of ionic groups. For desorption of CBD proteins from the cotton fabric, high levels of mechanical agitation and alkaline conditions (pH >7) are necessary. Binding of Family II CBDs to cellulose releases fine particles, whereas migration and desorption did not. Long time storage of cotton fabrics with adsorbed CBD proteins did not cause changes in their physical properties and did not damage cotton cellulose. The presence of water on the surface of cellulose was found to be essential for the interfabric migration of Family II CBDs. The double binding cellulose domain binds strongly on cotton and their interfabric migration is smaller. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

Abstract Background Wheezes and crackles are well-known signs of lung diseases, but can also be heard in apparently healthy adults. However, their prevalence in a general population has been sparsely described. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of wheezes and crackles in a large general adult population and explore associations with self-reported disease, smoking status and lung function. Methods We recorded lung sounds in 4033 individuals 40 years or older and collected information on self-reported disease. Pulse oximetry and spirometry were carried out. We estimated age-standardized prevalence of wheezes and crackles and associations between wheezes and crackles and variables of interest were analyzed with univariable and multivariable logistic regressions. Results Twenty-eight percent of individuals had wheezes or crackles. The age-standardized prevalence of wheezes was 18.6% in women and 15.3% in men, and of crackles, 10.8 and 9.4%, respectively. Wheezes were mostly found during expiration and crackles during inspiration. Significant predictors of expiratory wheezes in multivariable analyses were age (10 years increase - OR 1.18, 95%CI 1.09–1.30), female gender (1.45, 1.2–1.8), self-reported asthma (1.36, 1.00–1.83), and current smoking (1.70, 1.28–2.23). The most important predictors of inspiratory crackles were age (1.76, 1.57–1.99), current smoking, (1.94, 1.40–2.69), mMRC ≥2 (1.79, 1.18–2.65), SpO2 (0.88, 0.81–0.96), and FEV1 Z-score (0.86, 0.77–0.95). Conclusions Nearly over a quarter of adults present adventitious lung sounds on auscultation. Age was the most important predictor of adventitious sounds, particularly crackles. The adventitious sounds were also associated with self-reported disease, current smoking and measures of lung function. The presence of findings in two or more auscultation sites was associated with a higher risk of decreased lung function than solitary findings.

Emoji is becoming a ubiquitous language and gaining worldwide popularity in recent years including the field of software engineering (SE). As nonverbal cues, emojis are widely used in user understanding tasks such as sentiment analysis, but few work has been done to study emojis in SE scenarios. This paper presents a large scale empirical study on how GitHub users use emojis in development-related communications. We find that emojis are used by a considerable proportion of GitHub users. In comparison to Internet users, developers show interesting usage characteristics and have their own interpretation of the meanings of emojis. In addition, the usage of emojis reflects a positive and supportive culture of this community. Through a manual annotation task, we find that sentimental usage is a main intention of using emojis in issues, pull requests, and comments, while emojis are mainly used to emphasize important contents in README. These findings not only deepen our understanding about the culture of SE communities, but also provide implications on how to facilitate SE tasks with emojis such as sentiment analysis.

This paper gives an overview of development of the EU-bioeconomy, 2014-2020. The Vision of the new Circular Bio-based Economy, CBE is presented: Unlocking the full potential of all types of sustainably sourced biomass, crop residues, industrial side-streams, and wastes by transforming it into value-added products. The resulting product portfolio consists of a wide spectrum of value-added products, addressing societal and consumer needs. Food and feed, bio-based chemicals, materials, healthpromoting products; and bio-based fuels. The pillars of CBE are described, including biotechnology, microbial production, enzyme technology, green chemistry, integrated physical/chemical processing, policies, conducive framework conditions and public private partnerships. Drivers of CBE are analyzed: Biomass supply, biorefineries, value chain clusters, rural development, farmers, foresters and mariners; urgent need for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and stopping biodiversity loss. Improved framework conditions can be drivers but also obstacles if not updated to the era of circularity. Key figures, across the entire BBI-JU project portfolio (20142020) are provided, including expansion into biomass feedstocks, terrestrial and aquatic, and an impressive broadening of bio-based product portfolio, including higher-value, healthpromoting products for man, animal, plants and soil. Parallel to this, diversification of industrial segments and types of funding instruments developed, reflecting industrial needs and academic research involvement. Impact assessment is highlighted. A number of specific recommendations are given; e.g., including international win/win CBEcollaborations, as e.g., expanding African EU collaboration into CBE. In contrast to fossil resources biological resources are found worldwide. In its outset, circular biobased economy, can be implemented all over, in a just manner, not the least stimulating rural development This study received funding only for covering the production costs (carried by the public BBI-JU secretariat). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a growing focus of cancer genomics studies, creating the need for a resource of lncRNAs with validated cancer roles. Furthermore, it remains debated whether mutated lncRNAs can drive tumorigenesis, and whether such functions could be conserved during evolution. Here, as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium, we introduce the Cancer LncRNA Census (CLC), a compilation of 122 GENCODE lncRNAs with causal roles in cancer phenotypes. In contrast to existing databases, CLC requires strong functional or genetic evidence. CLC genes are enriched amongst driver genes predicted from somatic mutations, and display characteristic genomic features. Strikingly, CLC genes are enriched for driver mutations from unbiased, genome-wide transposon-mutagenesis screens in mice. We identified 10 tumour-causing mutations in orthologues of 8 lncRNAs, including LINC-PINT and NEAT1, but not MALAT1. Thus CLC represents a dataset of high-confidence cancer lncRNAs. Mutagenesis maps are a novel means for identifying deeply-conserved roles of lncRNAs in tumorigenesis. Communications Biology, 3 (1) ISSN:2399-3642

La Revolución de los claveles en abril de 1974 constituyó una ruptura en la historia contemporánea de Portugal. La caída del régimen autoritario ha permitido una transformación en profundidad del país. Varias experiencias de autogestión surgieron entonces en la esfera económica con el fin de mantener los empleos. Gracias a este contexto favorable, los trabajadores han organizado la reanudación de la producción. Con el fin del proceso revolucionario en 1976, las empresas autogestionadas se han encontrado aisladas, a pesar de la protección constitucional que les caracteriza. La elaboración reciente de la economía social en Portugal ha sin embargo conducido a una recuperación de la noción de autogestión. La révolution des Oeillets, en avril 1974, a constitué une rupture dans l’histoire contemporaine portugaise. La chute du régime autoritaire de Salazar a permis une transformation en profondeur du pays. Des expériences d’autogestion sont alors apparues dans la sphère économique afin de préserver les emplois. Portés par ce contexte favorable, les travailleurs ont organisé la reprise de la production. Avec la fin du processus révolutionnaire, en 1976, les entreprises autogérées se sont trouvées isolées, malgré la protection constitutionnelle qui les caractérise. L’élaboration récente de l’économie sociale au Portugal a néanmoins conduit à une reprise de la notion d’autogestion. The Carnation Revolution in April 1974 represented a total break in contemporary Portuguese history. The fall of the authoritarian regime opened the way for a profound transformation of the country. Experiments in self-management appeared in the economic sphere to protect jobs. Encouraged by this favourable context, workers organised the resumption of production. With the end of the revolutionary process in 1976, self-managed firms found themselves isolated, despite their specific protection by the constitution. The recent development of the social economy in Portugal has nonetheless revived interest in the idea of self-management.

Background Men with germline breast cancer 1, early onset (BRCA1) or breast cancer 2, early onset (BRCA2) gene mutations have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer (PCa) than noncarriers. IMPACT (Identification of Men with a genetic predisposition to ProstAte Cancer: Targeted screening in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and controls) is an international consortium of 62 centres in 20 countries evaluating the use of targeted PCa screening in men with BRCA1/2 mutations. Objective To report the first year's screening results for all men at enrolment in the study. Design, setting and participants We recruited men aged 40–69 yr with germline BRCA1/2 mutations and a control group of men who have tested negative for a pathogenic BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation known to be present in their families. All men underwent prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing at enrolment, and those men with PSA >3 ng/ml were offered prostate biopsy. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis PSA levels, PCa incidence, and tumour characteristics were evaluated. The Fisher exact test was used to compare the number of PCa cases among groups and the differences among disease types. Results and limitations We recruited 2481 men (791 BRCA1 carriers, 531 BRCA1 controls; 731 BRCA2 carriers, 428 BRCA2 controls). A total of 199 men (8%) presented with PSA >3.0 ng/ml, 162 biopsies were performed, and 59 PCas were diagnosed (18 BRCA1 carriers, 10 BRCA1 controls; 24 BRCA2 carriers, 7 BRCA2 controls); 66% of the tumours were classified as intermediate- or high-risk disease. The positive predictive value (PPV) for biopsy using a PSA threshold of 3.0 ng/ml in BRCA2 mutation carriers was 48%—double the PPV reported in population screening studies. A significant difference in detecting intermediate- or high-risk disease was observed in BRCA2 carriers. Ninety-five percent of the men were white, thus the results cannot be generalised to all ethnic groups. Conclusions The IMPACT screening network will be useful for targeted PCa screening studies in men with germline genetic risk variants as they are discovered. These preliminary results support the use of targeted PSA screening based on BRCA genotype and show that this screening yields a high proportion of aggressive disease. Patient summary In this report, we demonstrate that germline genetic markers can be used to identify men at higher risk of prostate cancer. Targeting screening at these men resulted in the identification of tumours that were more likely to require treatment. Take Home Message This report demonstrates that germline genetic markers can be used to identify men at higher risk of prostate cancer. Targeting screening at these higher-risk men resulted in the identification of tumours that were more likely to require treatment.

Global patterns of biodiversity have emerged for soil microorganisms, plants and animals, and the extraordinary significance of microbial functions in ecosystems is also well established. Virtually unknown, however, are large-scale patterns of microbial diversity in freshwaters, although these aquatic ecosystems are hotspots of biodiversity and biogeochemical processes. Here we report on the first large-scale study of biodiversity of leaf-litter fungi in streams along a latitudinal gradient unravelled by Illumina sequencing. The study is based on fungal communities colonizing standardized plant litter in 19 globally distributed stream locations between 69°N and 44°S. Fungal richness suggests a hump-shaped distribution along the latitudinal gradient. Strikingly, community composition of fungi was more clearly related to thermal preferences than to biogeography. Our results suggest that identifying differences in key environmental drivers, such as temperature, among taxa and ecosystem types is critical to unravel the global patterns of aquatic fungal diversity. Fil: Seena, Sahadevan. Universidade do Minho; Portugal. Universidad de Coimbra; Portugal Fil: Bärlocher, Felix. Mount Allison University; Canadá Fil: Sobral, Olímpia. Universidade do Minho; Portugal. Universidad de Coimbra; Portugal Fil: Gessner, Mark O.. Leibniz - Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries; Alemania. Technishe Universitat Berlin; Alemania. Berlin-Brandenburgischen Instituts für Biodiversitätsforschung; Alemania Fil: Dudgeon, David. University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Fil: McKie, Brendan. Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet; Suecia Fil: Chauvet, Eric. Institut National des postes et télécommunications; Francia. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; Francia. Université Paul Sabatier; Francia Fil: Boyero, Luz. James Cook University; Australia. Universidad del País Vasco; España. Ikerbasque; España Fil: Ferreira, Verónica. Universidad de Coimbra; Portugal Fil: Frainer, André. UiT The Arctic University of Norway; Noruega Fil: Bruder, Andreas. University of Otago; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Matthaei, Christoph. University of Otago; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Fenoglio, Stefano. Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale Amedeo Avogadro; Italia Fil: Sridhar, Kandikere. Mangalore University; India Fil: Albariño, Ricardo Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Laboratorio de Fotobiología; Argentina Fil: Douglas, Michael M.. University of Western Australia; Australia. Charles Darwin University; Australia Fil: Encalada, Andrea C.. Universidad de Coimbra; Portugal. Universidad San Francisco de Quito; Ecuador Fil: Garcia, Erica. Charles Darwin University; Australia Fil: Ghate, Sudeep. Yenepoya University. Yenepoya Research Center; India. Mangalore University; India Fil: Giling, Darren P.. Leibniz - Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries; Alemania. Universitat Jena; Alemania Fil: Gonçalves, Vítor. Universidade dos Açores. Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos; Portugal Fil: Iwata, Tomoya. University of Yamanashi; Japón Fil: Landeira Dabarca, Andrea. Universidad San Francisco de Quito; Ecuador Fil: McMaster, Damien. Charles Darwin University; Australia Fil: Medeiros, Adriana O.. Universidade Federal da Bahia; Brasil Fil: Naggea, Josheena. Monash University Malaysia; Malasia Fil: Pozo, Jesús. Universidad del País Vasco; España Fil: Raposeiro, Pedro. Universidade dos Açores; Portugal Fil: Swan, Christopher M.. University of Maryland; Estados Unidos Fil: Tenkiano, Nathalie S. D.. Université Julius N'yerere de Kankan; Guinea Fil: Yule, Catherine Mary. University of the Sunshine Coast; Australia. Monash University Malaysia; Malasia Fil: Graça, Manuel A. S.. Universidad de Coimbra; Portugal

Naringenin is a flavonoid belonging to flavanones subclass. It is widely distributed in several Citrus fruits, bergamot, tomatoes and other fruits, being also found in its glycosides form (mainly naringin). Several biological activities have been ascribed to this phytochemical, among them antioxidant, antitumor, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiadipogenic and cardioprotective effects. Nonetheless, most of the data reported have been obtained from in vitro or in vivo studies. Although some clinical studies have also been performed, the main focus is on naringenin bioavailability and cardioprotective action. In addition, these studies were done in compromised patients (i.e., hypercholesterolemic and overweight), with a dosage ranging between 600 and 800 µM/day, whereas the effect on healthy volunteers is still debatable. In fact, naringenin ability to improve endothelial function has been well-established. Indeed, the currently available data are very promising, but further research on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects is encouraged to improve both available production and delivery methods and to achieve feasible naringenin-based clinical formulations. N.M. would like to thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT–Portugal) for the Strategic project ref. UID/BIM/04293/2013 and “NORTE2020—Programa Operacional Regional do Norte” (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012).

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with marked gender and ethnic disparities. We report a large transancestral association study of SLE using Immunochip genotype data from 27,574 individuals of European (EA), African (AA) and Hispanic Amerindian (HA) ancestry. We identify 58 distinct non-HLA regions in EA, 9 in AA and 16 in HA (∼50% of these regions have multiple independent associations); these include 24 novel SLE regions (P<5 × 10−8), refined association signals in established regions, extended associations to additional ancestries, and a disentangled complex HLA multigenic effect. The risk allele count (genetic load) exhibits an accelerating pattern of SLE risk, leading us to posit a cumulative hit hypothesis for autoimmune disease. Comparing results across the three ancestries identifies both ancestry-dependent and ancestry-independent contributions to SLE risk. Our results are consistent with the unique and complex histories of the populations sampled, and collectively help clarify the genetic architecture and ethnic disparities in SLE. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with a strong ethnic and gender bias. In a transancestral genetic association study, Langefeld et al. identify 24 novel regions associated with risk to lupus and propose a cumulative hits hypothesis for loci conferring risk to SLE.