DESIDRATAÇÃO DA POLPA DE ACEROLA (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) PELO PROCESSO "FOAM-MAT"

Foi elaborado um suplemento alimentar em pó, a partir da desidratação da polpa de frutos de acerola utilizando o método "FOAM-MAT". Vários testes utilizando diferentes agentes químicos, que favorecem à formação da espuma, foram realizados, tendo sido escolhido o experimento que mais se ajustou ao parâmetro de densidade recomendado como ideal (0,1 a 0,6). Na condição experimental definida, a polpa foi formulada e desidratrada em estufa de secagem com circulação de ar, a uma temperatura de 60 a 70°C, por 90 minutos, obtendo-se um produto em pó, com umidade final de 7,2%. Em paralelo ao experimento, foi efetuada uma caracterização química da polpa de acerola. O produto em pó obtido, foi embalado em sacos metalizados de 25 gramas e submetido a um estudo de estabilidade por 3 meses. Os resultados encontrados, mostraram que o produto elaborado apresentou elevado teor de vitamina C, em um nível 10 vezes maior do que na polpa integral.

Validação de critérios para controle de perdas de vitamina C em hortaliças preparadas em unidade de alimentação e nutrição hospitalar

Este estudo teve como objetivo validar critérios testados em laboratório, visando à preservação de vitamina C (Ácido Ascórbico (AA) e Ácido Desidroascórbico (DHA) em couve e tomate preparados em Unidade de Alimentação e Nutrição (UAN) hospitalar. Os critérios foram: armazenamento por 24 horas sob refrigeração (10 °C), sanitização por 15 minutos e distribuição logo após o preparo. Avaliou-se também o conteúdo e a retenção de vitamina C após diferentes tempos de exposição para consumo, rotineiramente utilizados pela UAN. As análises foram realizadas por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE), utilizando como fase móvel fosfato de sódio 1 mM, EDTA 1mM, diluídos em água ultrapura, pH 3,0 ajustado com ácido fosfórico. A ANOVA (α = 0,05) foi utilizada para análise dos dados. Não houve diferenças significativas quanto ao conteúdo de vitamina C após as etapas de manipulação das hortaliças, confirmando alta estabilidade da vitamina quanto aos critérios adotados. Entretanto, observou-se redução da retenção de AA em couve aos 60 minutos de exposição para consumo (retenção: 46,94%) e em tomate aos 120 minutos de exposição (retenção: 71,81%). Os critérios mostraram-se eficientes no controle de perdas de vitamina C, recomendando-se sua adoção em outras UAN.

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of agro-industrial waste of acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) fruit extracts

This study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of the agro-industrial waste from acerola. Hydroacetone, hydroethanolic, and hydromethanolic extracts were obtained using the sequential extraction process, and they were screened for their free radical DPPH• (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrilhidrazil) and ABTS•+ (2,2'-azino-bis-(3-etilbenzotiazolin 6-sulfonic acid) scavenging activity and their effect on the linoleic acid peroxidation by the ferric thiocyanate method. Soybean oil with the addition of the extracts (200 ppm) was submitted to Schaal oven test (60 °C, 28 days), in which the samples were analyzed for peroxide value and conjugated dienes. Hydroethanolic and hydromethanolic extracts exhibited good DPPH scavenging activity (low value of EC50 and TEC50 and high value of AE), good ABTS scavenging capacity (1445.1 and 1145.5 µMol TEAC.g-1, respectively), and high percentage inhibition of peroxidation of linoleic acid (96.12 and 91.84%, respectively) and showed the ability to retard the formation of peroxides and conjugated dienes.

Physicochemical and microbiological quality of raspberries (Rubus idaeus) treated with different doses of gamma irradiation

This study was conducted to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of raspberries exposed to different radiation doses. The fruits were harvested in the city of Campestre, MG, packed in polyethylene bags, and transported to the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), where they were separated into 4 lots. Irradiation was performed at the Center for Development of Nuclear Technology in Belo Horizonte, MG. The doses used were 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kGy. After irradiation, the fruits were transported back to UFLA and stored at 1 ºC and 95% relative humidity (RH) for 12 days. The physicochemical analyses for mass loss, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, total soluble sugars, total soluble pectin, firmness, vitamin C content, total antioxidant activity, and total phenolic, and the microbiological assays (coliform at 35 and 45 ºC, psychrotrophic and filamentous fungi and yeasts) were performed after 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days of storage. Lower loss of mass and filamentous fungi and yeast count were observed in the irradiated fruits, and 2 kGy was determined as the most effective dose for microbial control, but this irradiation dose also resulted in increased loss of fruit firmness.

Study of the enthalpy-entropy mechanism from water sorption of orange seeds (C. sinensis cv. Brazilian) for the use of agro-industrial residues as a possible source of vegetable oil production

Orange seeds are a promising agroindustry-waste which can be implemented in the extraction and production of vegetable oil. The relationship between moisture content and water activity provides useful information for the processing and storage of this waste item. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism of water sorption enthalpy-entropy of orange seeds (C. sinensis cv. Brazilians) according to the moisture content. Therefore, desorption isotherms were determined at five different temperature (30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 ºC) under a wide range of moisture content (0.005-0.057 kg kg-1 d.b.) and water activity (0.02-0.756). Theoretical and empirical models were used for modeling the desorption isotherms. An analytical solution of the Clausius-Clapeyron equation was proposed to compute the isosteric heat of sorption, the differential entropy, and Gibbs free energy using the Oswin model when the effect of temperature on the hygroscopic equilibrium was considered.

Humanisme, sociologie, philosophie : remarques sur la conception française de la culture générale / par C. Bouglé

Collection : Actualités scientifiques et industrielles ; n° 640

Le Livre des cent ballades [par JEAN DE WERCHIN, PHILIPPE D'ARTOIS, JEAN BOUCICAUT et JEAN DE CRESEQUES], avec les réponses de « REGNAUT DE TRIE » (fol. 60), « CHAMBRILLART » (fol. 61), « monseigneur DE TOURAINE », « LYONET DE COISMES » (fol. 62), « monseigneur DE BERRY » (fol. 63), « JAQUET D'ORLIENS », « TIGNONVILLE » (fol. 64), « JEHAIN DE MALLY » (fol. 65), « YVRY », « BERTHICOURT » (fol. 66), « monseigneur DE LA TRIMOULLE » (fol. 67).

Commençant par : « Une fois pieça chevauchoie Entre Pont de Cé et Angiers... » et finissant par : « Tant seulement doit en son cuer choisir En ciel un Dieu, en terre une deesse » .

« Estat des vivres et artillerie et municions servans à icelle, trouvez en municion es villes de frontière et places fortes de Picardie, Arthois et Boullenois, et d'autres vivres, artillerie, municions et artifices, que demandent d'augmentacion les cappitaines desd. villes et places ; aussi des reparacions necessaires à faire esd. villes et places pour la fortifficacion et seureté d'icelles. M.V.C.XLIII ».

Contient : 1 « Estat des victuailles et municions d'artillerie et autres trouvées au chasteau de Hesdin, le 23e jour de janvier, l'an 1543. Victuailles. Et est assavoir que tout grain est rendu à la mesure et muy de Paris, et la livre à poix de marc, qui est de seize onces pour livre... Faict au chasteau de Hesdin, le 25e jour de janvier l'an 1543 ». Signé : « A. DE PISSELEU » ; 2 « Estat des victuailles et artillerie et municions servans à lad. artillerie et autres que demande monseigneur de Hely, cappitaine et gouverneur des ville, chasteau et bailliage de Hesdin, pour la nourriture des gens de guerre et autres qui seront ordonnez pour la garde et seureté dud. chasteau et municion d'icelluy, et ce pour le parfaict de six mois, oultre les aultres victuailles, artillerie et municions qui y sont de present, et autres victuailles qui y doivent estre mises par Mathieu Camus, aiant la charge du renouvellement et refreschissement d'icelles ». Même date et même signature que plus haut ; 3 « Reparacions necessaires à faire au chasteau de Hesdin ». Même date et même signature que plus haut ; 4 « Estat des victuailles et artillerie et municions servans à lad. artillerie, et autres trouvées ès ville et chasteau de Boullongne sur la Mer, le 28e janvier, l'an 1543... Fait aud. Boullongne sur la Mer, le 29e jour de l'an 1543 ». Signé : « OUDART DU BIES » ; 5 « Estat des victuailles et artillerie et municions servans à lad. artillerie et autres que demande M. Du Biez, mareschal de France, cappitaine et gouverneur des ville et chasteau de Boullongne sur la Mer... et ce pour six mois... ». Même date et même signature que pour l'article 4 ; 6 « Reparacions necessaires à faire en la ville de Boullongne sur la Mer, pour la fortifficacion et seureté d'icelle... Fait à Boullongne sur la Mer, le premier jour de fevrier, l'an 1543 ». Signé comme précédemment ; 7 « Estat des victuailles et artillerie et municions servans à lad. artillerie et autres estans en la ville d'Ardre, le 30e jour de janvier 1543... Fait à Ardre » ledit jour. Non signé ; 8 « Estat des victuailles et artillerie et municions servans à lad. artillerie et autres que demande le Sr de Sainseval, cappitaine et gouverneur de la ville d'Ardre, pour la provision et seureté de lad. ville et la nourriture de sept vingtz dix (150) lances fournies des ordonnances du roy, deux mil hommes de pié et deux cens pionniers, qui sont environ deux mil huit cens bouches pour six mois, et ce oultre les autres victuailles et municions estans en lad. ville... Fait à Ardre, le 30e jour de janvier 1543 ». Non signé ; 9 « Estat des reparacions necessaires à faire en la ville d'Ardre pour la fortifficacion et seureté d'icelle ». Même date. Non signé ; 10 « Estat des pièces d'artillerie, pouldres, boulletz et autres munitions servans à icelle, trouvées en la ville de Monstreuil sur la Mer, le 3e jour de fevrier, l'an 1543 ». Signé : « J. M. DE SENLYS » ; 11 « Estat des victuailles et artillerie et municions servans à lad. artillerie et autres, que demande le Sr de Senlis, cappitaine et gouverneur des ville et chasteau de Monstereul sur la Mer, pour la nourriture et conservacion des gens de guerre et autres qui seront ordonnez pour la garde et seureté desd. ville et chasteau, et ce oultre l'artillerie et municions estans de present aud. Monstereul ». 4 février 1543 ; 12 « Reparacions necessaires à faire promptement et à dilligence en la ville de Monstereul sur la Mer ». Même date ; 13 « Estat des pièces d'artillerie et municions servans à icelle, trouvées dedans le chasteau du Crottoy, le lundy quatreme jour de fevrier, l'an 1543 » ; 14 « Estat de l'artillerie et municions servans à icelle, et harnois et bastons de guerre trouvez au chasteau d'Abbeville, le mardy cinqme jour de fevrier... 1543 » ; 15 « Estat des victuailles et artillerie et municions servans à icelle et autres trouvées au chasteau de Doullens, le mercredy sixme jour de fevrier, l'an 1543, estant aud. chasteau le cappitaine Florent de Mailly, lieutenant de monseigneur de Bochavannes, cappitaine d'icelluy ». Signé : « F. DE MAILLY » ; 16 « Estat des pièces d'artillerie et municions servans à icelle et autres que demande le cappitaine Florent de Mailly, lieutenant de monseigneur de Bochavannes, cappitaine gouverneur des ville et chasteau de Doullens, pour la municion et seureté dud. chasteau, et ce oultre les autres pièces d'artillerie et municions qui sont de present en icelluy... Faict aud. chasteau de Doullens, le jeudy septme jour de fevrier l'an 1543 ». Signé : « F. de Mailly » ; 17 « Estat des pièces d'artillerie et municions servans à icelle et autres appartenans au roy, trouvées en la ville d'Amyens, le vendredy huitme jour de fevrier, l'an 1543, en la charge et garde de Arthus Tourtier, commis aud. Amyens de maistre Anthoine Macault, tresorier et garde desd. artillerie et municions et bastons de guerre dud. Sr estans en ses païs de Normandie, Picardie et Champaigne... Fait aud. Amyens, le samedy neufme jour de fevrier 1543 ». Signé : « TOURTIER » ; 18 « Estat de l'artillerie et municions servans à icelle, bastons de guerre et oustilz à pionniers, charrons et autres, trouvez en la ville de Corbie, le lundy 11e jour de fevrier, l'an 1543... Fait aud. Corbie, le 13e jour de fevrier, l'an 1543 ». Signé : « PHELIPPES DE MYRAUMONT » ; 19 « Estat des pièces d'artillerie et municions servans à icelle et autres que demande le Sr de Miraumont, gouverneur de la ville de Corbie, pour la provision, seureté et deffence de lad. ville, et ce oultre les autres pieces d'artillerie et municions qui sont de present en icelle ». Même date ; 20 « Ouvraiges et reparacions necessaires à faire en la ville de Corbie, pour la deffence et seureté d'icelle et conservacion de la frontiere ». Même date ; 21 « Estat de l'artillerie et municions servans à icelle, trouvées au chasteau de Peronne le jeudy 14e jour de fevrier, l'an 1543 ». Signé : « A. ROBIN DE BOFFLES » ; 22 « Estat de l'artillerie et municions servans à icelle et autres trouvées en la ville de Peronne, le jeudy 14me jour de fevrier, l'an 1543 ». Signé : « J. B. VIDELAINE » ; 23 « Estat des pièces d'artillerie et municions servans à icelle, bastons de guerre et autres provisions dont les majeur et jurez de la ville de Peronne supplient très humblement le roy, leur seigneur souverain, fournir lad. ville pour la seureté, tuicion et deffense d'icelle, et ce oultre les autres pièces d'artillerie et municions qui y sont de present » Signé : « J.-B. VIDELAINE » et « A. LESCARS » ; 24 « Estat des victuailles et artillerie et municions servans à icelle et autres estans au chastelet de Gouy, le 15e jour de fevrier, l'an 1543 » ; 25 « Estat des victuailles et municions d'artillerie et autres que demande le Sr de Jenonville, lieutenant du Sr d'Estrée, cappitaine du chastellet de Gouy, pour la provision et seureté dud. chasteau et la nourriture de 60 lances fournies des ordonnances du roy, 1000 hommes de pié et 200 pionniers, qui sont environ, comprins la suitte, 1500 bouches, pour six mois, et ce oultre les autres victuailles et municions estans en icelluy chasteau ». Même date ; 26 « Estat des pièces d'artillerie et municions servans à icelle et autres, trouvées en la ville de S. Quentin, le samedy 16me jour de fevrier, l'an 1543... Fait aud. S. Quentin, le 18me jour de fevrier 1543 ». Signé : « C. AZEY » et « GUIENCOURT » ; 27 « Estat des pièces d'artillerie et municions servans à icelle, dont les mayeur, eschevins et jurez de la ville de S. Quentin en Vermandois supplient très humblement le roy, leur seigneur souverain, faire fournir lad. ville, pour la seureté, tuicion et deffence d'icelle, oultre les autres pièces d'artillerie et municions qui y sont de present ». Même date et mêmes signatures ; 28 « Ouvraiges et reparacions necessaires à faire en la ville de S. Quentin, lesquelz ouvraiges et reparacions les mayeur, eschevins et jurez de lad. ville supplient très humblement au roy, leur seigneur souverain, ordonner estre faictes, pour la conservacion, deffense et seureté d'icelle ville et de la frontière... Fait aud. S. Quentin, le 20e jour de fevrier, l'an 1543 ». Mêmes signatures ; 29 « Estat des victuailles et artillerie et municions servans à icelle et autres, trouvées ès ville et chastel de Landrecy, le jeudy 21e jour de fevrier, l'an 1543... Fait le 22e jour de fevrier, l'an 1543 » ; 30 « Estat des victuailles et municions d'artillerie, bastons de guerre et autres municions que demande le Sr de Vrevin, cappitaine et gouverneur des ville et chastel de Landrecy, pour la provision et seureté desd. ville et chastel, et ce oultre les autres victuailles, artillerie et municions y estans ». Même date ; 31 « Estat des pièces d'artillerie et municions servans à icelle, trouvées au chasteau de Guise, le vendredy 22e jour de fevrier 1543 ». Signé : « J. DE SORBEY » ; 32 « Estat des vivres et pièces d'artillerie et municions servans à icelle et autres, que demande le Sr de Girondelle, cappitaine et gouverneur des ville, chastel et duché de Guise, pour la provision, municion et seureté dud. chastel et l'advitaillement de cent lances fournies des ordonnances du roy, et 1200 hommes de pié, qui sont, comprins la suitte, environ 1800 bouches, pour deux mois, et ce oultre les autres pièces d'artillerie et municions qui sont de present en icelluy... Fait aud. chastel de Guise, le samedy 23e jour de fevrier, l'an 1543 ». Signé : « J. de Sorbey » ; 33 « Ouvraiges et reparacions necessaires à faire au chasteau de Guise, pour la seureté et deffence d'icelluy et conservacion de la frontiere ». Même date et même signature ; 34 « Estat des victuailles et artillerie et municions servans à lad. artillerie et autres, trouvées au chastel de La Chappelle, le 24e jour de fevrier, l'an 1543 » ; 35 « Estat des victuailles et artillerie et municions servans à icelle et autres que demande le Sr de Haraucourt, cappitaine et gouverneur du chasteau de La Chappelle, pour la provision et seureté dud. chasteau, et la nourriture des gens de guerre et autres qui seront ordonnez pour la garde d'icelluy, estimez à 2,000 bouches ». Même date que ci-dessus ; 36 Table des noms des places fortes indiquées ci-dessus, rangées par ordre alphabétique sous les rubriques : « Estat des vivres », etc. et « ouvraiges necessaires », etc

Does Gamma-aminobutyric acid function as a plant resistance mechanism against phytophagous insect activity? /

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GAB A) is a ubiquitous non-protein amino acid synthesized via the decarboxylation of L-glutamate in a reaction catalyzed by the cytosolic enzyme L-glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). In animals it functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. In plants it accumulates rapidly in response to various stresses, but its function remains unclear. The hypothesis that GABA accumulation in leaf tissue may function as a plant resistance mechanism against phytophagous insect activity was investigated. GABA accumulation in response to mechanical stimulation, mechanical damage and insect activity was demonstrated. In wt tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv Samsun), mechanical stimulation or damage caused GABA to accumulate within 2 min from mean levels of 14 to 37 and 1~9 nmol g-l fresh weight (FW), respectively. In the transgenic tobacco strain CaMVGAD27c overexpressing Petunia GAD, the same treatments caused GABA to accumulate from 12 to 59 and 279 nmol g-l FW, respectively. In the transgenic tobacco strain CaMVGADilC 11 overexpressing Petunia GAD lacking an autoinhibitory domain, mechanical stimulation or damage caused GABA to accumulate from 180 to 309 and 630 nmol g-l FW, respectively. Ambulatory activity by tobacco budworm (TBW) larvae (Heliothis virescens) on leaves of CaMVGAD27c tobacco caused GABA to accumulate from 28 to 80 nmol g-l FW within 5 min. Ambulatory and leaf-rolling activity by oblique banded leaf roller (OBLR) larvae (Choristoneura rosaceana cv Harris) on wt soybean leaves (Glycine max cv Harovinton) caused GABA to accumulate from 60 to 1123 nmol g-l FW within 20 min. Increased GABA levels in leaf tissue were shown to affect phytophagous preference in TBW larvae presented with wt and transgenic tobacco leaves. When presented with leaves of Samsun wt and CaMVGAD27c plants, TBW larvae consumed more wt leaf tissue (640 ± 501 S.D. mm2 ) than transgenic leaf tissue (278 ± 338 S.D. mm2 ) nine times out of ten. When presented with leaves of Samsun wt and CaMVGAD~C11 plants, TBW larvae consumed more transgenic leaf tissue (1219 ± 1009 S.D. mm2 ) than wt leaf tissue (28 ± 31 S.D. mm2 ) ten times out of ten. These results indicate that: (1) ambulatory activity of insect larvae on leaves results in increased GABA levels, (2) transgenic tobacco leaves with increased capacity for GABA synthesis deter feeding, and (3) transgenic tobacco leaves with constitutively higher GABA levels stimulate feeding.

Changes in the magnitude and pattern of translocation of photoassimilated ¹CO in soybean plants following an acute exposure to gamma radiation /

Young soybean plants (Glycine ~. L. cultivar Harosoy '63), grown under controlled conditions, were exposed to gamma radiation on a single occasion. One hour following exposure to 3,750 rads, the mature trifoliate leaf of the soybean plant was isolated in a closed system and permitted to photoassimilate approximately 1-5 pCi of 14C02 for 15 minutes. After an additional 45 minute-period, the plant was sacrificed and the magnitude of translocation and distribution pattern of 14C determined. In the non-irradiated plants 18~ of the total 14C recovered was outside the fed leaf blades and of this translocated 14c, 28~ was above the node of the fed leaf, 38~ in the stem below the node, 28~ in the roots and 7~ in the petiole. As well, in the irradiated plants, a smaller per cent (6~) of the total 14 C recovered was exported out of the source leaf blades. Of this translocated 14c , a smaller per cent (20~) was found in the apical region above the node of the source leaf and a higher per cent (45~) was recovered from the stem below the node and in the petiole (11~). The per cent of exported 14 C recovered from the root was unaffected by the radiation. Replacement of the shoot apex with 20 ppm IAA immediately following irradiation, only J partially increased the magnitude of translocation but did completely restore the pattern of distribution to that observed in the non-irradiated plants. From supplementary studies showing a radiationinduced reduction of photosynthetic rates in the source leaf and a reduction of the cumulative stem and leaf lengths in the apical sink region, the observed effects of radiation on the translocation process have been correlated to damage incurred by the source and sink regions. These data suggest that the reduction in the magnitude of translocation is the result of damage to both the source and sink regions rather than the phloem conducting tissue itself, whereas the change in the pattern of translocation is probably the result of a reduced rate of 14C-assimilate movement caused by a radiation-induced decrease of sink metabolism, especially the decrease in the metabolism of the apical sink.

Isolation and partial characterization of a complementary protein from the mycoparasite, Piptocephalis virginiana, which specifically binds to two glycoproteins b and c of the host cell surface

Presence of surface glycoprotein in Piptocephalis virginiana that recognizes the host glycoproteins band c, reported earlier from our laboratory, was detected by immunofluorescence microscopy. Germinated spores of P. virginiana treated with Mortierella pusilla cell wall protein extract, primary antibodies prepared against glycoproteins band c and FITC-goat anti-rabbit IgG conjugate showed fluorescence. This indicated that on the surfaces of the biotrophic mycoparasite P. virginiana , there might be a complementary molecule which recognizes the glycoproteins band c from M. pusilla. Immunobinding analysis identified a glycoprotein of Mr 100 kDa from the mycoparasite which binds with the host glycoproteins band c, separately as well as collectively. Purification of this glycoprotein was achieved by (i) 60% ammonium sulfate precipitation, (ii) followed by heat treatment, and (iii) Sephadex G-IOO gel filtration. The glycoprotein was isolated by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis by cutting and elution. The purity of the protein ·was ascertained by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Positive reaction to periodic acid-Schiff reagent revealed the glycoprotein nature of this 100 kDa protein. Mannose was identified as a major sugar component of this glycoprotein by using a BoehringerMannheim Glycan Differentiation Kit. Electrophoretically purified glycoprotein was used to raIse polyclonal antibody in rabbit. The specificity of the antibody was determined by dot-immunobinding test and western-blot analysis. Immunofluorescence mIcroscopy revealed surface localization of the protein on the germ tube of Piptocephalis virginiana. Fluorescence was also observed at the surfaceJ of the germinated spores and hyphae of the host, M. pusilla after treatment with complementary protein from P. virginiana, primary antibody prepared against the complementary protein and FITC-goat anti-rabbit IgG conjugate.

An exploratory study for the discovery of non-invasive hepatocellular carcinoma biomarkers among high-risk hepatitis C virus infected patients

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a major healthcare problem, representing the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Chronic infections with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the major risk factors for the development of HCC. The incidence of HBV -associated HCC is in decline as a result of an effective HBV vaccine; however, since an equally effective HCV vaccine has not yet been developed, there are 130 million HCV infected patients worldwide who are at a high-risk for developing HCC. Because reliable parameters and/or tools for the early detection of HCC among high-risk individuals are severely lacking, HCC patients are always diagnosed at a late stage where surgical solutions or effective treatment are not possible. Using urine as a non-invasive sample source, two different approaches (proteomic-based and genomic-based approaches) were pursued with the common goal of discovering potential biomarker candidates for the early detection of HCC among high-risk chronic HCV infected patients. Urine was collected from 106 HCV infected Egyptian patients, 32 of whom had already developed HCC and 74 patients who were diagnosed as HCC-free at the time of initial sample collection. In addition to these patients, urine samples were also collected from 12 healthy control individuals. Total urinary proteins, Trans-renal nucleic acid (Tr-NA) and microRNA (miRNA) were isolated from urine using novel methodologies and silicon carbide-loaded spin columns. In the first, "proteomic-based", approach, liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to identify potential candidates from pooled urine samples. This was followed by validating relative expression levels of proteins present in urine among all the patients using quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR). This approach revealed that significant over-expression of three proteins: DJ-1, Chromatin Assembly Factor-1 (CAF-1) and 11 Moemen Abdalla HCC Biomarkers Heat Shock Protein 60 (HSP60), were characteristic events among HCC-post HCV infected patients. As a single-based HCC biomarker, CAF-1 over-expression identified HCC among HCV infected patients with a specificity of 90%, sensitivity of 66% and with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 78%. Moreover, the CAF-lIHSP60 tandem identified HCC among HCV infected patients with a specificity of 92%, sensitivity of 61 % and with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 77%. In the second genomic-based approach, two different approaches were processed. The first approach was the miRNA-based approach. The expression levels of miRNAs isolated from urine were studied using the Illumina MicroRNA Expression Profiling Assay. This was followed by qRT-PCR-based validation of deregulated expression of identified miRNA candidates among all the patients. This approach shed the light on the deregulated expression of a number of miRNAs, which may have a role in either the development of HCC among HCV infected patients (i.e. miR-640, miR-765, miR-200a, miR-521 and miR-520) or may allow for a better understanding of the viral-host interaction (miR-152, miR-486, miR-219, miR452, miR-425, miR-154 and miR-31). Moreover, the deregulated expression of both miR-618 and miR-650 appeared to be a common event among HCC-post HCV infected patients. The results of the search for putative targets of these two miRNA suggested that miR-618 may be a potent oncogene, as it targets the tumor-suppressor gene Low density lipoprotein-related protein 12 (LPR12), while miR-650 may be a potent tumor-suppressor gene, as it is supposed to downregulate the TNF receptor-associated factor-4 (TRAF4) oncogene. The specificity of miR-618 and miR-650 deregulated expression patterns for the early detection of HCC among HCV infected patients was 68% and 58%, respectively, whereas the sensitivity was 64% and 72%, respectively. When the deregulated expression of both miRNAs was combined as a tandem biomarker, the specificity and the sensitivity were 75% and 58% respectively. 111 Moemen Abdalla HCC Biomarkers In the second, "Trans-renal nucleic acid-based", approach, the urinary apoptotic nucleic acid (uaNA) levels of 70ng/mL or more were found to be a good predictor of HCC among chronic HCV infected patients. The specificity and the sensitivity of this diagnostic approach were 76% and 86%, respectively, with an overall diagnostic value of 81 %. The uaNA levels positively correlated to HCC disease progression as monitored by epigenetic changes of a panel of eight tumor-suppressor genes (TSGs) using methylation-sensitive PCR. Moreover, the pairing of high uaNA levels (:::: 70 ng/mL) and CAF-1 over-expreSSIOn produced a highly specific (l 00%) multiple-based HCC biomarker with an acceptable sensitivity of 64%, and with a diagnostic accuracy of 82%. In comparison to the previous pairing, the uaNA levels (:::: 70 ng/mL) in tandem with HSP60 over-expression was less specific (89%) but highly sensitive (72%), resulting in a diagnostic accuracy of 64%. The specificities of miR-650 deregulated expression in combination with either high uaNA content or HSP 60 over-expression were 82% and 79%, respectively, whereas, the sensitivities of these combinations were 64% and 58%, respectively. The potential biomarkers identified in this study compare favorably with the diagnostic accuracy of the a-fetoprotein levels test, which has a specificity of 75%, sensitivity of 68% and an overall diagnostic accuracy of 70%. Here we present an intriguing study which shows the significance of using urine as a noninvasive sample source for the identification of promising HCC biomarkers. We have also introduced new techniques for the isolation of different urinary macromolecules, especially miRNA, from urine. Furthermore, we strongly recommend the potential biomarkers indentified in this study as focal points of any future research on HCC diagnosis. A larger testing pool will determine if their use is practical for mass population screening. This explorative study identified potential targets that merit further investigation for the development of diagnostically accurate biomarkers isolated from 1-2 mL urine samples that were acquired in a non-invasive manner.

Letter - E.C. Schmon to Arthur A. Schmon, 29 November 1919

She mentions a visit to Arthur Schmon's parents. She then goes on to describe the rest of her outings for the day. This letter is labelled number 60.

Letter - E.C. Schmon to Arthur A. Schmon, 23 February 1918

The first letter mentions Eleanore Celeste has a headache and has been working on "comfort kits". The second letter describes her morning at church, studying and she mentions she expects to do Red Cross work. The letter is labelled number 60.