Approaches to assess IgE mediated allergy risks (sensitization and cross-reactivity) from new or modified dietary proteins

The development and introduction of new dietary protein sources has the potential to improve food supply sustainability. Understanding the potential allergenicity of these new or modified proteins is crucial to ensure protection of public health. Exposure to new proteins may result in de novo sensitization, with or without clinical allergy, or clinical reactions through cross-reactivity. In this paper we review the potential of current methodologies (in silico, in vitro degradation, in vitro IgE binding, animal models and clinical studies) to address these outcomes for risk assessment purposes for new proteins, and especially to identify and characterise the risk of sensitization for IgE mediated allergy from oral exposure. Existing tools and tests are capable of assessing potential crossreactivity. However, there are few possibilities to assess the hazard due to de novo sensitization. The only methods available are in vivo models, but many limitations exist to use them for assessing risk. We conclude that there is a need to understand which criteria adequately define allergenicity for risk assessment purposes, and from these criteria develop a more suitable battery of tests to distinguish between proteins of high and low allergenicity, which can then be applied to assess new proteins with unknown risks. © 2017 The Authors Chemicals/CAS: immunoglobulin E, 37341-29-

Simulation and Modeling: A Tool for Public Policy Research

ABSTRACT Within Canada, the Federal Government has initiated a discussion on the application of the precautionary approach in a number of high risk areas, including marine transportation. The authors believe that the application of the precautionary approach in the maritime sector implies a more rigorous risk assessment for policy initiatives than is currently required. Given the fundamental changes occurring in the Canadian maritime regulatory system; the rapid proliferation of new technology, and the desire to expand shipping activities into remote and pristine areas, the scientific and academic communities can play a vital role in guiding policy-makers in their application of the precautionary approach to shipping. Over the past 30 years there has been a shift in the public perception on the importance of safety, environmental protection, and -more recently -security to society. As regulators and shipping interests attempt to create a safer, more environmentally friendly and secure maritime transportation sector, they have been confronted with the fact that human error is the main cause of shipping incidents. If it is accepted that there is a desire to improve the maritime transportation system, and that human factors represent one of the key weaknesses in the system, then there is a need to improve the capabilities to deal with human factor issues. Simulation is a method to identify, quantify, and modify risky behaviors in transportation systems, and represents a critical tool in the evolution of public policy in the maritime sector. The authors propose that the academic, scientific, regulatory, and corporate communities begin a collaborative effort to address human factors issues using the existing maritime simulation capabilities in Canada. The authors further propose that a modest investment be made to develop modeling and simulation capabilities that will permit more advanced studies to be conducted in the future

Marché des biens alimentaires fermiers et qualité

National audienceL'extension de l'usage du qualificatif "fermier" au cours de la dernière décennie peut être interprétée en terme d'infléchissement du positionnement concurrentiel des exploitations agricoles sur le marché des biens alimentaires. Si l'achat direct des consommateurs aux producteurs demeure une façon de s'approvisionner à bas coût, notamment pour les ménages ruraux, il tend aussi à s'inscrire dans une recherche de qualité, ce que met en évidence l'examen des logiques économiques d'exploitations agricoles qui font du fromage de chèvre et de la charcuterie dans la Région Rhône-Alpes. Le développement futur de la mention "fermier" paraît reposer sur la coexistence de deux formes de coordination des échanges entre agents, une forme industrielle (dans le cadre des labels) et une forme domestique (relations directes entre acheteurs et vendeurs)

Marché des biens alimentaires fermiers et qualité

National audienceL'extension de l'usage du qualificatif "fermier" au cours de la dernière décennie peut être interprétée en terme d'infléchissement du positionnement concurrentiel des exploitations agricoles sur le marché des biens alimentaires. Si l'achat direct des consommateurs aux producteurs demeure une façon de s'approvisionner à bas coût, notamment pour les ménages ruraux, il tend aussi à s'inscrire dans une recherche de qualité, ce que met en évidence l'examen des logiques économiques d'exploitations agricoles qui font du fromage de chèvre et de la charcuterie dans la Région Rhône-Alpes. Le développement futur de la mention "fermier" paraît reposer sur la coexistence de deux formes de coordination des échanges entre agents, une forme industrielle (dans le cadre des labels) et une forme domestique (relations directes entre acheteurs et vendeurs)

Actions of β2-adrenoceptor agonist drug on human soleus muscle contraction.

PURPOSE: The effects of β(2)-agonists on human skeletal muscle contractile properties, particularly on slow fibers, are unclear. Moreover, it remains to be ascertained whether central motor drive (CMD) during voluntary contractions could counter for eventual contractile alterations induced by β(2)-agonists. This study investigated central and peripheral neuromuscular adjustments induced by β(2)-agonist terbutaline on a predominantly slow human muscle, the soleus. METHODS: Ten recreationally active men ingested either a single dose of 8 mg of terbutaline or placebo in a randomized double-blind order (two experimental sessions). Isometric plantarflexion torque was measured during single and tetanic (10 and 100 Hz) stimulations as well as during submaximal and maximal voluntary contractions (MVC). Twitch peak torque and half-relaxation time were calculated. CMD was estimated via soleus electromyographic recordings obtained during voluntary contractions performed at approximately 50% MVC. RESULTS: MVC and twitch peak torque were not modified by terbutaline. Twitch half-relaxation time was 28% shorter after terbutaline administration compared with placebo (P < 0.001). Tetanic torques at 10 and 100 Hz were significantly lower after terbutaline intake compared with placebo (-40% and -24% respectively, P < 0.001). Despite comparable torque of submaximal voluntary contractions in the two conditions, CMD was 7% higher after terbutaline ingestion compared with placebo (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence that terbutaline modulates the contractility of the slow soleus muscle and suggest that the increased CMD during submaximal contractions may be viewed as a compensatory adjustment of the central nervous system to counter the weakening action induced by terbutaline on the contractile function of slow muscle fibers