Functional properties of whey protein concentrate texturized at acidic pH: effect of extrusion temperature

Reactive supercritical fluid extrusion (RSCFX) process at acidic condition (pH 3.0) was used to generate texturized whey protein concentrate (TWPC) and the impacts of process temperature on product's physicochemical properties were evaluated. TWPC extruded at 50 and 70 °C formed soft-textured aggregates with high solubility than that extruded at 90 °C that formed protein aggregates with low solubility. Total free sulfhydryl contents and solubility studies in selected buffers indicated that TWPC is primarily stabilized by non-covalent interactions. Proteins texturized at 90 °C showed an increased affinity for 1-anilino-naphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS) and a decreased affinity for cis-parinaric acid (CPA), indicating changes in protein structure. Water dispersion of TWPC at room temperature showed thickening function with pseudoplastic behavior. Secondary gelation occurred in TWPC obtained at 50 and 70 °C by heating the cold-set gels to 95 °C. TWPC texturized at 90 °C produced cold-set gels with good thermal stability. Compared to control, TWPC formed stable oil-in-water emulsions. Factors such as degree of protein denaturation and the balance of surface hydrophobicity and solubility influenced the heat- and cold-gelation and emulsifying properties of the protein ingredients. TWPC generated by low and high temperature extrusions can thus be utilized for different products requiring targeted physicochemical functionalities

Wolbachia strain wAlbB maintains high density and dengue inhibition following introduction into a field population of Aedes aegypti

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carrying the wAlbB Wolbachia strain show a reduced capacity to transmit dengue virus. wAlbB has been introduced into wild Ae. aegypti populations in several field sites in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where it has persisted at high frequency for more than 2 years and significantly reduced dengue incidence. Although these encouraging results indicate that wAlbB releases can be an effective dengue control strategy, the long-term success depends on wAlbB maintaining high population frequencies and virus transmission inhibition, and both could be compromised by Wolbachia–host coevolution in the field. Here, wAlbB-carrying Ae. aegypti collected from the field 20 months after the cessation of releases showed no reduction in Wolbachia density or tissue distribution changes compared to a wAlbB laboratory colony. The wAlbB strain continued to induce complete unidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility, showed perfect maternal transmission under laboratory conditions, and retained its capacity to inhibit dengue. Additionally, a field-collected wAlbB line was challenged with Malaysian dengue patient blood, and showed significant blocking of virus dissemination to the salivary glands. These results indicate that wAlbB continues to inhibit currently circulating strains of dengue in field populations of Ae. aegypti, and provides additional support for the continued scale-up of Wolbachia wAlbB releases for dengue control

Enhancing the efficacy of stem cell therapy with glycosaminoglycans

Human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) therapy offers significant potential for osteochondral regeneration. Such applications require their ex vivo expansion in media frequently supplemented with fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). Particular heparan sulfate (HS) fractions stabilize FGF2-FGF receptor complexes. We show that an FGF2-binding HS variant (HS8) accelerates the expansion of freshly isolated bone marrow hMSCs without compromising their naivety. Importantly, the repair of osteochondral defects in both rats and pigs is improved after treatment with HS8-supplemented hMSCs (MSCHS8), when assessed histologically, biomechanically, or by MRI. Thus, supplementing hMSC culture media with an HS variant that targets endogenously produced FGF2 allows the elimination of exogenous growth factors that may adversely affect their therapeutic potency

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

A comparison between the chondrogenic potential of human Bone Marrow Stem Cells (BMSCs) and Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) taken from the same donors

10.1089/ten.2006.0118Tissue Engineering134659-66

Detection of Wolbachia from field collected Aedes albopictus Skuse in Malaysia

Background & objectives: Wolbachia-based vector control strategies have been proposed as a mean to augment the existing measures for controlling dengue vector. Prior to utilizing Wolbachia in novel vector control strategies, it is crucial to understand the Wolbachia-mosquito interactions. Many studies have only focused on the prevalence of Wolbachia in female Aedes albopictus with lack of attention on Wolbachia infection on the male Ae. albopictus which also affects the effective expression of Wolbachia induced- cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). In this study, field surveys were conducted to screen for the infection status of Wolbachia in female and male Ae. albopictus from various habitats including housing areas, islands and seashore. Methods: Adult Ae. albopictus (n=104) were collected using human landing catches and hand aspirator. Standard ovitraps were also set in the selected areas for five days and the larvae were identified to species level. All the collected Ae. albopictus were screened for the presence of Wolbachia using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing of Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene. Results: A 100 per cent positivity of Wolbachia infection was observed for individual Ae. albopictus screened. For pooled mosquitoes, 73 of the 76 pools (female) and 83 of the 87 pools (male) were positive with Wolbachia infection. The wsp gene sequence of the Wolbachia strain isolated from individual and pooled mosquitoes showed a 100 per cent homology with Wolbachia sp. of Ae. albopictus isolated from various geographical regions. Phylogenetic analysis based on wsp gene fragments showed that the isolates were clustered into groups A and B, respectively. Interpretation & conclusions: The results indicated that Wolbachia infection was widespread in Ae. albopictus population both in female and male Ae. albopictus. All the infected females were superinfected with both A and B strains while the infected males showed a combination of superinfection of A and B strains and single infection of B strain

Oligo[poly(ethylene glycol)fumarate] hydrogel enhances osteochondral repair in porcine femoral condyle defects

Background Management of osteochondritis dissecans remains a challenge. Use of oligo[poly(ethylene glycol)fumarate] (OPF) hydrogel scaffold alone has been reported in osteochondral defect repair in small animal models. However, preclinical evaluation of usage of this scaffold alone as a treatment strategy is limited. Questions/purposes We therefore (1) determined in vitro pore size and mechanical stiffness of freeze-dried and rehydrated freeze-dried OPF hydrogels, respectively; (2) assessed in vivo gross defect filling percentage and histologic findings in defects implanted with rehydrated freeze-dried hydrogels for 2 and 4 months in a porcine model; (3) analyzed highly magnified histologic sections for different types of cartilage repair tissues, subchondral bone, and scaffold; and (4) assessed neotissue filling percentage, cartilage phenotype, and Wakitani scores. Methods We measured pore size of freeze-dried OPF hydrogel scaffolds and mechanical stiffness of fresh and rehydrated forms. Twenty-four osteochondral defects from 12 eight-month-old micropigs were equally divided into scaffold and control (no scaffold) groups. Gross and histologic examination, one-way ANOVA, and one-way Mann-Whitney U test were performed at 2 and 4 months postoperatively. Results Pore sizes ranged from 20 to 433 μm in diameter. Rehydrated freeze-dried scaffolds had mechanical stiffness of 1 MPa. The scaffold itself increased percentage of neotissue filling at both 2 and 4 months to 58% and 54%, respectively, with hyaline cartilage making up 39% of neotissue at 4 months. Conclusions Rehydrated freeze-dried OPF hydrogel can enhance formation of hyaline-fibrocartilaginous mixed repair tissue of osteochondral defects in a porcine model. Clinical Relevance Rehydrated freeze-dried OPF hydrogel alone implanted into cartilage defects is insufficient to generate a homogeneously hyaline cartilage repair tissue, but its spacer effect can be enhanced by other tissue-regenerating mediators