The objective of this study was to compare the effects of the incorporation of microcapsules or nanoemulsions with
on the quality of fresh cheese. Three treatments were established: Control, cheese ...with microcapsules (Micro), and cheese with nanoemulsion (Nano). The parameters evaluated were physicochemical (moisture, ash, fat, proteins, and pH), microbiological (mesophilic aerobic bacteria, mold-yeast, and total coliforms), functional (total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity), and texture (hardness, elasticity, cohesion, and chewiness) during storage for 45 days at 4 °C. The results showed that adding microcapsules and nanoemulsion did not affect the physicochemical parameters of the cheese. Total coliforms decreased in all samples from the first days of storage (Control: 4.23 ± 0.12, Micro: 3.27 ± 0.02, and Nano: 2.68 ± 0.08 Log10 CFU), as well as aerobic mesophiles and mold-yeast counts. Regarding the functional properties, an increase in total phenols was observed in all treatments. The texture profile analysis showed that the addition of microcapsules and nanoemulsion influenced hardness (Control: 8.60 ± 1.12, Micro: 1.61 ± 0.31, and Nano: 3.27 ± 0.37 N). The antimicrobial effect was greater when nanoemulsions were added, while adding microcapsules influenced the antioxidant activity more positively.
Novel multiuse liquid phase promoter for PM components Galán‐Salazar, Andrea; Campos, Mónica; Torralba, José Manuel ...
Journal of the American Ceramic Society,
September 2019, 2019-09-00, 20190901, Letnik:
102, Številka:
9
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The aim of this work was to characterize the behavior of a novel multiuse B‐free alloy that was designed as a liquid phase promoter and as a filler material for sintering and brazing steels in N2‐H2. ...Through thermodynamic calculations, a new Cu‐Fe‐Ni‐Si alloy (named LP) has been designed showing a proper melting point suitable for being used at temperatures below 1100°C, with good wetting behavior that allows it use as brazing material and liquid phase former. This new boron‐free alloy has shown good dimensional behavior, good brazeability, and competitive mechanical properties. These demonstrated features allow the developed alloy it use as braze material for PM parts in industrial furnaces as well as master alloy to promote transient liquid phase in PM structural steels.
Sarcopenia is the degenerative loss of muscle mass and strength with aging. Although a role of mitochondrial metabolism in muscle function and in the development of many diseases has been described, ...the role of mitochondrial topology and dynamics in the process of muscle aging is not fully understood. This work shows a time line of changes in both mitochondrial distribution and skeletal muscle function during mice lifespan. We isolated muscle fibers from
of mice of different ages. A fusion-like phenotype of mitochondria, together with a change in orientation perpendicular to the fiber axis was evident in the Adult group compared to Juvenile and Older groups. Moreover, an increase in the contact area between sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria was evident in the same group. Together with the morphological changes, mitochondrial Ca
resting levels were reduced at age 10-14 months and significantly increased in the Older group. This was consistent with a reduced number of mitochondria-to-jSR pairs in the Older group compared to the Juvenile. Our results support the idea of several age-dependent changes in mitochondria that are accentuated in midlife prior to a complete sarcopenic phenotype.
The Swiss Centre for Antibiotic Resistance (ANRESIS) has recently noted an increase of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant (ESC-R)
isolates nationwide (3.8% in 2016 versus 37.5% in 2019). To ...understand this phenomenon, we analyzed 25 representative isolates (of which 14 were ESC-R) collected in Switzerland during 2016 to 2019. Whole-genome sequencing was achieved using both the Illumina and the Nanopore platforms. Both ESC-R and extended-spectrum cephalosporin-susceptible isolates belonged to sequence type 152 (ST152). The ESC-R isolates carried
in IncI1-pST57 (
= 5),
in IncFII (F2:A-:B-) (
= 5),
in IncI1-pST16, and
,
, or
in other IncFII plasmids (
= 1 each). Plasmids having the same
and Inc group exhibited high degrees of genetic identity to each other but also to plasmids previously reported in other
Core-genome analysis showed that there were 4 main clusters, each of which included strains that differed by <58 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and that consisted of both
-positive and
-negative isolates. Moreover, most isolates belonging to the same cluster shared an identical core-genome sequence type (cgST). For instance, cluster 1 included 4 isolates of cgST113036, of which only 3 harbored the IncI1-pST57
-positive plasmid. The 25
isolates were also subjected to phylogenetic comparison with deposited international strains. As a result, matching isolates (isolates that had the same cgST and that differed by <8 SNVs) have been reported in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the Netherlands. Overall, our results suggest that some common
clusters can spread between continents and can be imported into other nations after international trips. Such clusters include, in part, isolates that do not possess
-harboring plasmids, indicating their tendency to acquire them from other
.
Abstract
Background
Covid-19 has the respiratory tract as the main target of infection, and patients present mainly dyspnea, pneumonia, dry cough, and fever. Nevertheless, organs outside the ...respiratory tract had been reported in recent studies, including the gastrointestinal tract and liver. The host innate immune system recognizes pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) through their pattern recognition receptor (PRRs). Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR-7) is a pattern recognition receptor recognizing ssRNA (SARS-CoV-2 is an ssRNA). Polymorphisms are characterized by two or more alternative forms of a distinct phenotype in the same population. Polymorphisms in
tlrs
genes can negatively influence the immune response to infectious diseases. There are several references in the literature to non-synonymous single nucleotide (rs) polymorphisms related to several genes. Some of them are important for the innate immunity, as rs 179008 (
tlr-7
), rs3775291 (
tlr3
), rs8177374 (
tir domain-containing adaptor protein, tirap
), rs1024611 (
monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, mcp-1
) and rs61942233 (
2
′
-5
′
-oligoadenylate synthase-3, oas-3
).
Case presentation
We identified a 5-year-old-male child with gastrointestinal symptoms and fever presenting acholic stool and jaundice, who was positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgM, IgA, and IgG and presenting the Gln11Leu rs 179008 in
tlr-7
. The child presented high levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and was negative for serological tests for hepatitis A, B, C, E, HIV 1 and 2, herpes virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein–Barr virus, and negative for RTqPCR for Influenza A and B, RSV and SARS-CoV-2. We also investigated other SNPs in the
tlr-3
(rs3775291)
, tirap
(rs8177374)
, mcp-1
(rs1024611)
,
and
oas-3
(rs61942233) genes, and no mutation was detected
.
After an interview with the child's caregivers, any possible accidental ingestion of drugs or hepatotoxic substances was ruled out.
Conclusion
To our knowledge, this is the first report of a SARS-CoV-2 caused hepatitis in a male child that has the
tlr-7
Gln11Leu rs 179008, which could impair an efficient initial immune response. The knowledge of the patient's immune deficiency could improve the treatment to correct this deficiency with specific medications.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Objectives
Intestinal colonization with extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant (ESC-R) and colistin-resistant (CST-R) Enterobacterales (Ent) can be driven by contact with colonized ...animals and/or contamination of the food chain. We studied the ESC-R-Ent and COL-R-Ent colonizing poultry as well as contaminating chicken meat in Zanzibar (Tanzania). Results were compared with recently published data obtained from rectal swabs of people in the community.
Methods
During June and July 2018, we collected poultry faecal material (n = 62) and retail chicken meat (n = 37) samples. ESC-R and CST-R strains were isolated implementing selective approaches and characterized with different molecular methods, including WGS coupled with core-genome analyses.
Results
The prevalence of ESC-R-Ent and CST-R-Ent, respectively, were: 88.7% and 48.4% in poultry; and 43.2% and 18.9% in chicken meat. Overall, the following strains and main resistance mechanisms were found in the two settings: 69 ESC-R Escherichia coli (CTX-M-15 subgroup, 75%), 34 ESC-R Klebsiella pneumoniae (CTX-M-9 group, 54.5%), 24 non-ESC-R but CST-R E. coli (mcr-1, 95.8%) and 17 non-ESC-R but CST-R K. pneumoniae (D150G substitution in PhoQ). Several clones (differing by only 0–13 single nucleotide variants) were concomitantly and frequently found in human and non-human settings: mcr-1-carrying E. coli ST46; CTX-M-15-producing E. coli ST361; CTX-M-14-producing K. pneumoniae ST17; and CTX-M-15-producing K. pneumoniae ST1741.
Conclusions
This is one of the few studies that have assessed the occurrence of identical MDR Enterobacterales in human and non-human settings. The frequent human gut colonization observed in the community might be favoured by the spread of ESC-R-Ent and CST-R-Ent in poultry and chicken meat. Further studies with a One Health approach should be carried out to better investigate this phenomenon.
Understanding vaping patterns of electronic cigarette (EC) use is important to understand the real-life exposure to EC vapor. Long term information on vaping topography in relation to tobacco ...cigarette (TC) smoking cessation success has not been explored.
Observational non-blinded study where active TC smokers were asked to replace TC with EC over 4 weeks (replacement phase, RP) followed by exclusive EC use for an additional 12 weeks (maintenance phase, MP). TC use and EC compliance was monitored weekly. Subjects were classified as success or failure whether or not they completed the protocol. Vaping information was stored and downloaded directly from the EC device and averaged per calendar day for analysis.
From 25 subjects that followed the protocol, sixteen succeeded in completing the RP and 8 the MP (32%). No significant differences in baseline characteristics were noted between subjects in the success and failure groups including markers of nicotine addiction, plasma cotinine levels or smoking history. Success subjects showed significantly longer puff duration (seconds per vape) and total overall vapor exposure (number of vapes x average vape duration or vape-seconds) in both study phases. Furthermore, subjects in the success group continued to increase the number of vapes, device voltage and wattage significantly as they transitioned into the MP. After an initial drop, subjects in the success group were able to regain plasma cotinine levels comparable to their TC use while subjects in the failure group could not. Cotinine levels significantly correlated with the average number of daily vapes and vapes-seconds, but not with other vaping parameters.
The topography of smokers who adhere to exclusive EC use reflects a progressive and dynamic device adaptation over weeks to maintain baseline cotinine levels. The higher inhaled volume over time should be considered when addressing the potential toxic effects of EC and the variable EC adherence when addressing public health policies regarding their use.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
We implemented culture- and shotgun metagenomic sequencing (SMS)-based methods to assess the gut colonization with extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant
Enterobacterales
(ESC-R-
Ent
) in 42 ...volunteers. Both methods were performed using native and pre-enriched (broth supplemented with cefuroxime) stools. Native culture screening on CHROMID
®
ESBL plates resulted in 17 positive samples, whereas the pre-enriched culture (gold-standard) identified 23 carriers. Overall, 26 ESC-R-
Ent
strains (24
Escherichia coli
) were identified: 25 CTX-M and 3 DHA-1 producers (2 co-producing CTX-Ms). Using the SMS on native stool (“native SMS”) with thresholds ≥60% for both identity and coverage, only 7 of the 23 pre-enriched culture-positive samples resulted positive for
bla
CTX-M
/
bla
DHA
genes (native SMS reads mapping to
bla
CTX-M
/
bla
DHAs
identified in gold-standard: sensitivity, 59.0%; specificity 100%). Moreover, an average of 31.5 and 24.6 antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) were detected in the 23 pre-enriched culture-positive and the 19 negative samples, respectively. When the pre-enriched SMS was implemented, more
bla
CTX-M
/
bla
DHA
genes were detected than in the native assay, including in stools that were pre-enriched culture-negative (pre-enriched SMS reads mapping to
bla
CTX-M
/
bla
DHAs
identified in gold-standard: sensitivity, 78.3%; specificity 75.0%). In addition, the pre-enriched SMS identified on average 38.6 ARGs/sample, whereas for the corresponding native SMS it was 29.4 ARGs/sample. Notably, stools resulting false-negative by using the native SMS had lower concentrations of ESC-R-
Ent
(average: ~10
5
vs. ~10
7
CFU/g) and
E. coli
classified reads (average: 193,959 vs. 1.45 million) than those of native SMS positive samples. Finally, the detection of
bla
CTX-M
/
bla
DHA
genes was compared with two well-established bioinformatic tools. In conclusion, only the pre-enriched SMS assured detection of most carriers of ESC-R-
Ent
. However, its performance was not comparable to the pre-enriched culture-based approach.
Specifications for determining acceptable limits of water sorption (WS) and solubility for interim denture resilient liners are lacking.
The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the WS and ...solubility of interim resilient materials throughout their lifespans.
Specimens (n=10) of 7 tissue conditioners, Coe-Comfort (CC), Softone (ST), Rite-Line (RL), Dura Conditioner (DC), Hydrocast (HC), Dentusoft (DS), and Visco-gel (VG) and 2 interim resilient liners, Trusoft (TS) and Coe-Soft (CS), were submitted to desorption until weight stabilization. Next, they were immersed in distilled water at 37°C for 3, 5, 7, or 14 days and then weighed, dried, and reweighed. Data (%) were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA and the Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) test (α=.05).
VG demonstrated the highest WS (12.06 ±0.93%-16.62 ±0.87%) and solubility (20.30 ±4.26%-23.59 ±2.24%; P<.05) percentages. Low WS values were presented by CC (2.23 ±0.53%-2.99 ±0.49%; P<.05). The WS showed no significant changes for CC, CS, and TS over 14 days (P>.05). SL presented intermediate solubility values (4.09 ±1.60%-8.80 ±1.15%), and the other materials showed values lower than 3.35 ±0.70%. CC, DC, DS, HC, RL, TS, and CS showed no changes in solubility throughout the 14-day trial.
Over the lifespan of a tissue conditioner (7 days), CC, RL, DC, HC, DS, CS, and TS presented suitable in vitro performance. Among the tested materials, CC, CS, and TS were considered best suited for denture relining for up to 14 days.
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