Reduction of in-shell Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K.) aflatoxin contamination by ozone gas application during storage

The susceptibility of the in-shell Brazil nut mycoflora and aflatoxins (AFLs) contamination to ozone (O3) gas during storage is reported. In-shell Brazil nuts obtained from retail market were submitted to O3 gas atmosphere at different concentrations immediately before to be stored. Samples were collected just after the gas exposure and every 30 days during the storage period to carry on mycological tests and AFLs analysis. A sensorial evaluation by descriptive quality analysis was carried out to check treated nuts sensory attributes according to consumer acceptance after gas exposure. The O3 treatment applied within 5 h at 31 mg/L was able to successfully inhibit the viability of fungi of the nut-contaminating microflora and so the toxigenic Aspergillus species from the day of application. AFLs were totally degraded in all samples whatever O3 concentration applied. No significant changes on sensory attributes were observed that could affect nut acceptability  after the O3 treatments and storage conditions applied in the present experiment. This procedure is tentatively applied at an Amazon State nut factory for checking its potential in mycotoxin risk contamination of in-shell Brazil nuts safeguarding under the Amazon region environment. Keywords: In-shell Brazil nut, Ozone, Mycoflora, Aflatoxin, Storage, Sensory evaluation

Cardiopulmonary assessment of patients with systemic sclerosis for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: recommendations from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Autoimmune Diseases Working Party and collaborating partners.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare disabling autoimmune disease with a similar mortality to many cancers. Two randomized controlled trials of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) for SSc have shown significant improvement in organ function, quality of life and long-term survival compared to standard therapy. However, transplant-related mortality (TRM) ranged from 3-10% in patients undergoing HSCT. In SSc, the main cause of non-transplant and TRM is cardiac related. We therefore updated the previously published guidelines for cardiac evaluation, which should be performed in dedicated centers with expertize in HSCT for SSc. The current recommendations are based on pre-transplant cardiopulmonary evaluations combining pulmonary function tests, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and invasive hemodynamic testing, initiated at Northwestern University (Chicago) and subsequently discussed and endorsed within the EBMT ADWP in 2016

Effect of oxygen reducing atmospheres on the quality and safety of stored shelled Brazil nut packs

High moisture content, relative humidity, temperature and environment rich in oxygen (O2) are the main factors for tree nuts to get infected by fungi and so aflatoxins (AFLs) contaminated. During storage and commercialization dry Brazil nuts packs need to maintain their safety and quality. Modified atmospheres in storage (macro-environment) and packaging (micro-environment) have been used to prolong food shelf life by reducing O2 concentration with inhibitory gases or, more recently, by adding O2 absorber pads. This work reports the application of O2 atmosphere reducing methods on stored shelled Brazil nut packs aiming fungi and AFL degradation as well as hygienic conditions improvements. The methods applied were: (a) ozone - O3, (b) carbon dioxide - CO2 and (c) O2 absorber pads with and without vacuum. Nuts were submitted to microbiological tests (fungi, aflatoxigenic strains, yeast and bacteria), moisture content and AFLs analysis. From all O2 reducing atmosphere evaluated, the best performance was obtained with O3. A reduction on fungi growth (1.8 x 104 cfu.g-1 to 2.6 x 10 cfu.g-1) and yeast destruction after the first month of storage were registered. Also O3 was the only nut treatment that was able to degrade AFLs. None of the spiked (AFLs: 15 ppb) nut samples O3 treated had AFLs detected up to the LOQ of the method (0.36 μg.kg-1 for AFB1+AFB2+AFG1+AFG2) i.e., much lower than the allowed by the European Union regulation (MRL: 4 and 2 ppb for total and AFB1, respectively), thus producing safer nuts. All other treatments stabilized and/or inhibited microorganisms growth. Add CO2 and O2 pads played an important role on nut quality. Further study will be carried out in order to adjust O3 concentration and application conditions for longer period of storage

Quality and safety conditions of flocked oats (Avena sativa L.) stored in bags: Poster

Oats (Avena sativa L.) have reached the healthy food market worldwide due to its special nutrients composition and fiber high quality. Therefore, quality & safety control is a must, both during the storage and commercialization stages. The current study evaluated the physicochemical characteristics (flakes size/variation %, pH, moisture content-mc, water activity-aw), living organisms (insects & mites / mycoflora - fungi load& genera identification), mycotoxins(ochratoxin A – OTA / zearalenone – ZON / aflatoxins – AFLs / esterigmatocistin – EST)andthe storage conditions of flocked oats stored inbags.Regarding the oats physicochemical characteristics, flakes particle size varied, however most of the samples present size uniformityand only one sample had high percentage of residue. That indicates high insects and other living organisms activity (consumption / proliferation) of oats starch and other nutrients. The analysis through stereomicroscope showed intense presence of insects and mites. Samples were seen also sheltering those living organisms (27%), which are not allowed by regulation (no soils, parasites and larvae presence). As expected, mc (10.8-13.2%) and/or aw (0.61-0.90) varied, however they kept on the safer levels (< 13% / 0.90) insects/mites and fungi growth wise. With respect to pH, it varied from4.1to 5.85, indicating some rancidity/fermentation reactions taking place, thus changes in organoleptic parameters. The total fungi load ranged from 3x102 to 1.29x105 CFU/g, with Aspergillus and Rhizopusthe genera more identified. Only one sample was toxin contaminated (OTA - 80 µg/kg). Insects are known vectors of fungal spores and can spread their hyphae on their dead/live skeleton, apart from mites that can trigger allergies in humans and animals. Therefore, current data demonstrate that despite the storage conditions control application, living organisms can occur in flocked oats (stored in bags) and it is necessary to apply decontamination methods to control/prevent their proliferation.Oats (Avena sativa L.) have reached the healthy food market worldwide due to its special nutrients composition and fiber high quality. Therefore, quality & safety control is a must, both during the storage and commercialization stages. The current study evaluated the physicochemical characteristics (flakes size/variation %, pH, moisture content-mc, water activity-aw), living organisms (insects & mites / mycoflora - fungi load& genera identification), mycotoxins(ochratoxin A – OTA / zearalenone – ZON / aflatoxins – AFLs / esterigmatocistin – EST)andthe storage conditions of flocked oats stored inbags.Regarding the oats physicochemical characteristics, flakes particle size varied, however most of the samples present size uniformityand only one sample had high percentage of residue. That indicates high insects and other living organisms activity (consumption / proliferation) of oats starch and other nutrients. The analysis through stereomicroscope showed intense presence of insects and mites. Samples were seen also sheltering those living organisms (27%), which are not allowed by regulation (no soils, parasites and larvae presence). As expected, mc (10.8-13.2%) and/or aw (0.61-0.90) varied, however they kept on the safer levels (< 13% / 0.90) insects/mites and fungi growth wise. With respect to pH, it varied from4.1to 5.85, indicating some rancidity/fermentation reactions taking place, thus changes in organoleptic parameters. The total fungi load ranged from 3x102 to 1.29x105 CFU/g, with Aspergillus and Rhizopusthe genera more identified. Only one sample was toxin contaminated (OTA - 80 µg/kg). Insects are known vectors of fungal spores and can spread their hyphae on their dead/live skeleton, apart from mites that can trigger allergies in humans and animals. Therefore, current data demonstrate that despite the storage conditions control application, living organisms can occur in flocked oats (stored in bags) and it is necessary to apply decontamination methods to control/prevent their proliferation

Cidades em (trans)formação: impacto da verticalização e densificação na qualidade do espaço residencial

Num contexto global de urbanização crescente e de transformações acentuadas no espaço das cidades, destacam-se os processos peculiares à dinâmica das grandes cidades brasileiras, que alteram substancialmente sua configuração, promovendo rupturas no tecido urbano consolidado e nas práticas de apropriação e uso desse espaço, comprometendo sua sustentabilidade. A partir dessa perspectiva, o objetivo do presente trabalho é analisar o impacto do processo de verticalização e adensamento na qualidade do espaço residencial de um bairro de Porto Alegre (RS), promovido por alterações na legislação urbanística. Mediante estudo de caso, realizou-se análise comparativa de diferentes quarteirões, utilizando-se método de avaliação da Qualidade do Espaço Residencial (QER). Os procedimentos adotados incluem a análise de documentos, levantamentos a campo e observação direta. Apresentam-se os resultados da aplicação do método de avaliação QER, em termos de qualidade do espaço da habitação, qualidade do contexto da habitação, qualidade do espaço dos serviços, qualidade dos percursos casa / serviços, apontando diferenças significativas entre quarteirões que sofreram verticalização acentuada e quarteirões que mantiveram a tipologia original. A principal contribuição deste artigo reside em explorar o potencial de uso da ferramenta QER para ilustrar o impacto da aplicação de legislação urbanística, instrumentando a discussão do modelo espacial de desenvolvimento da cidade

Haematopoietic SCT in severe autoimmune diseases: updated guidelines of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

In 1997, the first consensus guidelines for haematopoietic SCT (HSCT) in autoimmune diseases (ADs) were published, while an international coordinated clinical programme was launched. These guidelines provided broad principles for the field over the following decade and were accompanied by comprehensive data collection in the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) AD Registry. Subsequently, retrospective analyses and prospective phase I/II studies generated evidence to support the feasibility, safety and efficacy of HSCT in several types of severe, treatment-resistant ADs, which became the basis for larger-scale phase II and III studies. In parallel, there has also been an era of immense progress in biological therapy in ADs. The aim of this document is to provide revised and updated guidelines for both the current application and future development of HSCT in ADs in relation to the benefits, risks and health economic considerations of other modern treatments. Patient safety considerations are central to guidance on patient selection and HSCT procedural aspects within appropriately experienced and Joint Accreditation Committee of International Society for Cellular Therapy and EBMT accredited centres. A need for prospective interventional and non-interventional studies, where feasible, along with systematic data reporting, in accordance with EBMT policies and procedures, is emphasized

Phenotypes Determined by Cluster Analysis and Their Survival in the Prospective European Scleroderma Trials and Research Cohort of Patients With Systemic Sclerosis

Objective: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous connective tissue disease that is typically subdivided into limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) depending on the extent of skin involvement. This subclassification may not capture the entire variability of clinical phenotypes. The European Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) database includes data on a prospective cohort of SSc patients from 122 European referral centers. This study was undertaken to perform a cluster analysis of EUSTAR data to distinguish and characterize homogeneous phenotypes without any a priori assumptions, and to examine survival among the clusters obtained. Methods: A total of 11,318 patients were registered in the EUSTAR database, and 6,927 were included in the study. Twenty‐four clinical and serologic variables were used for clustering. Results: Clustering analyses provided a first delineation of 2 clusters showing moderate stability. In an exploratory attempt, we further characterized 6 homogeneous groups that differed with regard to their clinical features, autoantibody profile, and mortality. Some groups resembled usual dcSSc or lcSSc prototypes, but others exhibited unique features, such as a majority of lcSSc patients with a high rate of visceral damage and antitopoisomerase antibodies. Prognosis varied among groups and the presence of organ damage markedly impacted survival regardless of cutaneous involvement. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that restricting subsets of SSc patients to only those based on cutaneous involvement may not capture the complete heterogeneity of the disease. Organ damage and antibody profile should be taken into consideration when individuating homogeneous groups of patients with a distinct prognosis