Techniques for delivery of arachidonic acid to Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, spat

International audienceThe present study tested two techniques for dietary supplementation of Crassostrea gigas spat with PUFA, such as arachidonic acid (AA). The first technique consisted of a preliminary enrichment and growth of an algal concentrate (T-ISO, Isochrysis sp.) with AA dissolved in an ethanol solution, the whole culture then being fed to the spat. This enrichment increased the AA weight percentage in T-ISO neutral and polar lipids from 0.6 to 22.4% and from 0.4 to 6.8%, respectively. The second delivery technique was direct addition separately of free AA dissolved in ethanol solution and algal concentrate (T-ISO + AA) to the spat-rearing tank. To test the efficiency of these delivery techniques, oyster spat were supplemented with AA-enriched T-ISO, T-ISO + AA, and T-ISO alone. The possible biological impacts of these dietary treatments were assessed by measuring growth, condition index, and TAG content of oyster spat. Dry weight and condition index of spat fed AA-enriched T-ISO decreased by 24 and 49%, respectively, after 26 d of feeding; basically, TAG content declined 88% after 34 d of conditioning. When AA was added directly to seawater, spat growth and condition index were comparable with those of oysters fed T-ISO alone. AA incorporation in oyster tissues was assessed by analysis of the FA compositions in both neutral and polar lipid fractions. After 34 cl, AA content in neutral lipids reached 7 and 11.7% in the spat fed, respectively, AA-enriched T-ISO and T-ISO + AA, as compared with 1.1% in spat fed only T-ISO. AA incorporation was greater in polar lipids than in neutral lipids, reaching 7.8 and 12.5% in spat fed AA-enriched T-ISO and T-ISO + AA, respectively. A direct addition of PUFA along with the food supply represents an effective and promising means to supplement PUFA to oyster spat

Human immunodeficiency virus continuum of care in 11 european union countries at the end of 2016 overall and by key population: Have we made progress?

Background. High uptake of antiretroviral treatment (ART) is essential to reduce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission and related mortality; however, gaps in care exist. We aimed to construct the continuum of HIV care (CoC) in 2016 in 11 European Union (EU) countries, overall and by key population and sex. To estimate progress toward the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 target, we compared 2016 to 2013 estimates for the same countries, representing 73% of the population in the region. Methods. A CoC with the following 4 stages was constructed: number of people living with HIV (PLHIV); proportion of PLHIV diagnosed; proportion of those diagnosed who ever initiated ART; and proportion of those ever treated who achieved viral suppression at their last visit. Results. We estimated that 87% of PLHIV were diagnosed; 92% of those diagnosed had ever initiated ART; and 91% of those ever on ART, or 73% of all PLHIV, were virally suppressed. Corresponding figures for men having sex with men were: 86%, 93%, 93%, 74%; for people who inject drugs: 94%, 88%, 85%, 70%; and for heterosexuals: 86%, 92%, 91%, 72%. The proportion suppressed of all PLHIV ranged from 59% to 86% across countries. Conclusions. The EU is close to the 90-90-90 target and achieved the UNAIDS target of 73% of all PLHIV virally suppressed, significant progress since 2013 when 60% of all PLHIV were virally suppressed. Strengthening of testing programs and treatment support, along with prevention interventions, are needed to achieve HIV epidemic control