From image to technology: a multidisciplinary approach for improving the quality of organic bread.

This study is part of a research programme devoted to improving the quality of organic bread. It aims to identify and test prototypes of breads approved by consumers. This is achieved by analysing consumer representations and preferences and placing them within the framework of technological, sensory and nutritional dimensions of the products. The multidisciplinary approach implements an original qualitative approach that combines three consumer focus groups made up of both loyal and occasional consumers, and confrontation sessions with the programme scientific partners. Four prototypes of organic breads have thus been formalised and subsequently tested on a sample of 120 consumers from two sites (Angers and Strasbourg). From an operational point of view, proposals for organic breads approved by consumers are formulated. In terms of methodology, the contributions of a multidisciplinary study are discussed

Yersinia enterocolitica prevalence and diversity in a pig slaughterhouse

Yersinia enterocolitica is involved in human foodborne infections. Pigs are considered as a major reservoir in many countries. The aim of the study was to contribute to the evaluation of the prevalence of Y. enterocolitica in France in pigs at the slaughterhouse level with optimized detection methods based on ISO 10273-2003

Campylobacter in the Pork Food Chain : a quantitative hazard analysis

Campylobacter are one of the most frequent causes of bacterial enteritis in industrialized countries and are widespread in food animals. Pigs are known to be largely contaminated in farms, but few data exist about the status of the pork food chain. The purpose of this study was to quantify the Campylobacter contamination of the French pork food chain: prevalence, contamination level, bactenal species in primary production (piglets and fattening pigs when slaughtered), and in first and second transformation process (from carcasses before chilling to deboned meat cuts)

Impact of the slaughter process on the pork carcasses contamination by Yersinia entrocolitica

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the tongue handling practice on the contamination of the pork carcasses: the tongue removed with the pluck set (3 slaughterhouses) vs the intact tongue inside the head (3 slaughterhouses). A total of 1920 pigs from 120 different farms were sampled both on their tonsils and carcass surfaces over a one year period. The individual prevalence of Y. enterocolitica on tonsils and carcasses was unexpectedly low and estimated respectively to be 5.7% [4.7-6.9] and 0.6% [0.3-1.0] from the pooled samples. The presence of Y. enterocolitica on the carcasses was statistically linked to its presence on tonsils. It was nearly five times higher on pigs with positive tonsils, than on pigs with negative tonsils. Despite the experimental design, we were not able to confirm that the removal of the tongue on the slaughter line had a significant impact on the carcass contamination with Yersinia enterocolitica. These results confirm that cross contaminations occur during the slaughtering process and that good hygiene practices are necessary to limit the transfer of Y. enterocolitca from the tonsils, or the feces, to the carcasses

Yersinia enteroco/itica prevalence in a French slaughterhouse: first results

Yersinlia enterocolitica is involved in human foodbome infections. Pigs are considered as a major reservoir in many countries. The aim of the study was to contribute to the evaluation of the prevalence of Y. enterocolitica in France in pigs at the slaughterhouse level with optimized detection methods based on ISO 10273-2003. Several samples of tonsils over nine consecutive months were analyzed in a single slaughterhouse. Enumeration and isolation were achieved by using CIN agar and Y eCM chromogenic medium (modified from the Weagant medium, 2008). Two enrichment media were used: a peptone, sorbitol and biliary salts broth (PSB) and the Irgasan, Ticarcillin and potassium chlorate broth (ITC)

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus reversal via implantation of magnetically purified microencapsulated pseudoislets

[Abstract] Microencapsulation of pancreatic islets for the treatment of Type I Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) generates a high quantity of empty microcapsules, resulting in high therapeutic graft volumes that can enhance the host’s immune response. We report a 3D printed microfluidic magnetic sorting device for microcapsules purification with the objective to reduce the number of empty microcapsules prior transplantation. In this study, INS1E pseudoislets were microencapsulated within alginate (A) and alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate (APA) microcapsules and purified through the microfluidic device. APA microcapsules demonstrated higher mechanical integrity and stability than A microcapsules, showing better pseudoislets viability and biological function. Importantly, we obtained a reduction of the graft volume of 77.5% for A microcapsules and 78.6% for APA microcapsules. After subcutaneous implantation of induced diabetic Wistar rats with magnetically purified APA microencapsulated pseudoislets, blood glucose levels were restored into normoglycemia (<200 mg/dL) for almost 17 weeks. In conclusion, our described microfluidic magnetic sorting device represents a great alternative approach for the graft volume reduction of microencapsulated pseudoislets and its application in T1DM disease.Universidad del País Vasco; ESPPOC 16/65Universidad del País vasco; EHUa16/06Gobierno Vasco; IT907-16Gobierno Vasco; KK-2017/0000088Gobierno Vasco; 307616FKA4Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad; RYC-2012-1079

Seroprevalence and risk factors for toxoplasma infection among pregnant women in Aydin province, Turkey

BACKGROUND: The aims of the present study were to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women at first trimester of their pregnancy and to follow up the seroconversion for next two trimesters, and to identify the risk factors and possible contamination routes in Aydin province, Turkey. METHOD: The sample size was calculated as 423 on a prevalence of 50%, d=0.05 at a confidence level of 95% with 10% addition. It was a cross-sectional study with multistage sampling. After a questionnaire applied to the pregnant women, anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were studied with ELISA and IFA, values in conflict with DA test, where IgM antibodies were studied with ELISA and for borderline or positive values of IgM avidity test was used. RESULTS: The mean age of 389 (92.9%) of pregnant women in the study was 24.28+/-4.56 years, the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies for toxoplasmosis was 30.1%. Seroprevalence was increased with age (p=0.001) and with drinking water consumption other than bottled water (p=0.042). No significant relations were observed between anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies and education level, being native or migrant, abortion history, consumption of meat, vegetable and milk/milk products, personal or kitchen hygiene habits, cat owning at home of the pregnant women. No IgM antibody was detected. CONCLUSION: One of every three pregnant women in Aydin was at risk of toxoplasmosis at the first trimester of their pregnancy. Increased seroprevalance with age was a predictable result because of increasing time of exposure. Increased seroprevalence with consumption of municipal and uncontrolled water (well/spring water) supplies was similar with latest epidemiological findings

Self-assembled hydrogel fibers for sensing the multi-compartment intracellular milieu

Targeted delivery of drugs and sensors into cells is an attractive technology with both medical and scientific applications. Existing delivery vehicles are generally limited by the complexity of their design, dependence on active transport, and inability to function within cellular compartments. Here, we developed self-assembled nanofibrous hydrogel fibers using a biologically inert, low-molecular-weight amphiphile. Self-assembled nanofibrous hydrogels offer unique physical/mechanical properties and can easily be loaded with a diverse range of payloads. Unlike commercially available E. coli membrane particles covalently bound to the pH reporting dye pHrodo, pHrodo encapsulated in self-assembled hydrogel-fibers internalizes into macrophages at both physiologic (37°C) and sub-physiologic (4°C) temperatures through an energy-independent, passive process. Unlike dye alone or pHrodo complexed to E. coli, pHrodo-SAFs report pH in both the cytoplasm and phagosomes, as well the nucleus. This new class of materials should be useful for next-generation sensing of the intracellular milieu

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. Infections in Arab Horses, Southwest of Iran

Background: Because of the economic importance of the Arab race horses and also the role of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in abortion and reproductive failure of these animals, we decided to perform this study. Objectives: We designed this study to investigate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora spp. antibodies in Arab horses from 12 cities of Khuzestan province in southwest of Iran. Materials and Methods: From October 2009 to March 2011, a total of 235 blood samples were collected from jugular veins of Arab horses of different ages and genders from 12 cities of Khuzestan province. All the sera were tested for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT) and the existence of anti-Neospora antibodies were tested using N-MAT for Neospora spp. Results: According to the MAT results, antibodies to T. gondii were found in 114 (48.5%) of 235 sera with titers of 1:20 in 84, 1:40 in 19, 1:80 in four, 1:160 in four, and 1:320 in three horses. According to the N-MAT results, antibodies to Neospora spp. were found in 47 (20%) of 235 sera with titers of 1:40 in 39, 1:80 in five, and 1:160 in three horses. We did not observe any statistically significant differences regarding age groups and genders between seropositive and seronegative horses for Neospora spp. using chi-square (chi(2)) test, but it seemed that anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were more prevalent in older horses ( >= 10 years old). Conclusions: The results indicated that Arab horses are exposed to these parasites in southwest of Iran. Further research is required to determine the genomic structures of these parasites in Arab horses in southwest of Iran