nanoSTAIR: a new strategic proposal to impulse standardization in nanotechnology research

Nanotechnology is considered one of the key technologies of the 21st century within Europe and a Key-Enabling Technology (KET) by Horizon 2020. Standardization has been identified in H2020 as one of the innovation-support measures by bridging the gap between research and the market, and helping the fast and easy transfer of research results to the European and international market. The development of new and improved standards requires high quality technical information, creating a fundamental interdependency between the standardization and research communities. In the frame of project nanoSTAIR (GA 319092), the present paper describes the European scenario on research and standardization in nanotechnology and presents a proposal of a European strategy (nanoSTAIR) to impulse direct "pipelines" between research and standardization. In addition, strategic actions focused on integration of standardization in the R&D projects, from the early stages of the design of a future business (Project Proposal), are also described.European Commission, through the Seventh Framework Programme (GA 319092)

Intestinal, extra-intestinal and systemic sequelae of Toxoplasma gondii induced acute ileitis in mice harboring a human gut microbiota

Background Within seven days following peroral high dose infection with Toxoplasma gondii susceptible conventionally colonized mice develop acute ileitis due to an underlying T helper cell (Th) -1 type immunopathology. We here addressed whether mice harboring a human intestinal microbiota developed intestinal, extra-intestinal and systemic sequelae upon ileitis induction. Methodology/Principal findings Secondary abiotic mice were generated by broad- spectrum antibiotic treatment and associated with a complex human intestinal microbiota following peroral fecal microbiota transplantation. Within three weeks the human microbiota had stably established in the murine intestinal tract as assessed by quantitative cultural and culture-independent (i.e. molecular 16S rRNA based) methods. At day 7 post infection (p.i.) with 50 cysts of T. gondii strain ME49 by gavage human microbiota associated (hma) mice displayed severe clinical, macroscopic and microscopic sequelae indicating acute ileitis. In diseased hma mice increased numbers of innate and adaptive immune cells within the ileal mucosa and lamina propria and elevated intestinal secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators including IFN-γ, IL-12 and nitric oxide could be observed at day 7 p.i. Ileitis development was accompanied by substantial shifts in intestinal microbiota composition of hma mice characterized by elevated total bacterial loads and increased numbers of intestinal Gram-negative commensals such as enterobacteria and Bacteroides / Prevotella species overgrowing the small and large intestinal lumen. Furthermore, viable bacteria translocated from the inflamed ileum to extra- intestinal including systemic compartments. Notably, pro-inflammatory immune responses were not restricted to the intestinal tract as indicated by increased pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in extra-intestinal (i.e. liver and kidney) and systemic compartments including spleen and serum. Conclusion/Significance With respect to the intestinal microbiota composition “humanized” mice display acute ileitis following peroral high dose T. gondii infection. Thus, hma mice constitute a suitable model to further dissect the interactions between pathogens, human microbiota and vertebrate host immunity during acute intestinal inflammation

Strategies, methods and tools for managing nanorisks in construction

This paper presents a general overview of the work carried out by European project SCAFFOLD (GA 280535) during its 30 months of life, with special emphasis on risk management component. The research conducted by SCAFFOLD is focused on the European construction sector and considers 5 types of nanomaterials (TiO2, SiO2, carbon nanofibres, cellulose nanofibers and nanoclays), 6 construction applications (Depollutant mortars, selfcompacting concretes, coatings, self-cleaning coatings, fire resistant panels and insulation materials) and 26 exposure scenarios, including lab, pilot and industrial scales. The document focuses on the structure, content and operation modes of the Risk Management Toolkit developed by the project to facilitate the implementation of "nano-management" in construction companies. The tool deploys and integrated approach OHSAS 18001 - ISO 31000 and is currently being validated on 5 industrial case studies.Research carried out by project SCAFFOLD was made possible thanks to funding from the European Commission, through the Seventh Framework Programme (GA 280535

Current challenges facing the assessment of the allergenic capacity of food allergens in animal models

Food allergy is a major health problem of increasing concern. The insufficiency of protein sources for human nutrition in a world with a growing population is also a significant problem. The introduction of new protein sources into the diet, such as newly developed innovative foods or foods produced using new technologies and production processes, insects, algae, duckweed, or agricultural products from third countries, creates the opportunity for development of new food allergies, and this in turn has driven the need to develop test methods capable of characterizing the allergenic potential of novel food proteins. There is no doubt that robust and reliable animal models for the identification and characterization of food allergens would be valuable tools for safety assessment. However, although various animal models have been proposed for this purpose, to date, none have been formally validated as predictive and none are currently suitable to test the allergenic potential of new foods. Here, the design of various animal models are reviewed, including among others considerations of species and strain, diet, route of administration, dose and formulation of the test protein, relevant controls and endpoints measured

Odd Chain Fatty Acids; New Insights of the Relationship Between the Gut Microbiota, Dietary Intake, Biosynthesis and Glucose Intolerance

Recent findings have shown an inverse association between circulating C15:0/C17:0 fatty acids with disease risk, therefore, their origin needs to be determined to understanding their role in these pathologies. Through combinations of both animal and human intervention studies, we comprehensively investigated all possible contributions of these fatty acids from the gut-microbiota, the diet, and novel endogenous biosynthesis. Investigations included an intestinal germ-free study and a C15:0/C17:0 diet dose response study. Endogenous production was assessed through: a stearic acid infusion, phytol supplementation, and a Hacl1$^{−/−}$ mouse model. Two human dietary intervention studies were used to translate the results. Finally, a study comparing baseline C15:0/C17:0 with the prognosis of glucose intolerance. We found that circulating C15:0/C17:0 levels were not influenced by the gut-microbiota. The dose response study showed C15:0 had a linear response, however C17:0 was not directly correlated. The phytol supplementation only decreased C17:0. Stearic acid infusion only increased C17:0. Hacl1$^{−/−}$ only decreased C17:0. The glucose intolerance study showed only C17:0 correlated with prognosis. To summarise, circulating C15:0 and C17:0 are independently derived; C15:0 correlates directly with dietary intake, while C17:0 is substantially biosynthesized, therefore, they are not homologous in the aetiology of metabolic disease. Our findings emphasize the importance of the biosynthesis of C17:0 and recognizing its link with metabolic disease.The authors are grateful to the Medical Research Council for core funding (Lipid Profiling and Signalling programme grant; number UD99999906, Cambridge Lipidomics Biomarker Research Initiative; grant G0800783, MRC Human Nutrition Research PhD programme). Grant GAČR: GA15–09518S and grant Czech Science Foundation GACR: 16-06326S funded part of the gut microbiota investigation. The authors would like to acknowledge the USDA (ACNC-USDA-CRIS 6251-51000-005-03S) for funding of the dose response animal study within this manuscript. The Human study “Dairy Fat supplementation” was supported by research grants from the Hospices Civils de Lyon (Actions Incitatives); from the Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique Interregional; from the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (Programme de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine and the Programme National de Recherche en Alimentation); and from the Innovation Stratégique Industrielle program of the Agence pour l’Innovation OSEO (Innovation Thérapeutique – Diabète project). K. Seyssel and M. Alligier were recipients of a doctoral fellowship from the Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche (France). The phytol supplementation animal study was supported by grants from the Academy of Finland (138690), the Sigrid Juselius Foundation and NordForsk under the Nordic Centres of Excellence Programme in Food, Nutrition and Health, project “Mitohealth” (070010). The NIH Grant R01-DK-18243 for funding of the canine study. HACL1 knockout mouse model was supported by grants from the Flemish “Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek” (G.0721.10N) and KU Leuven (OT/14/100)

An Analysis of the Advantages of a Box Isolation Technique

In this paper we present a BOX process and the electrical results obtained with this technique, in which a polysilicon counter-mask is used instead of a double resist layer to perform the field oxide. The electrical characteristics of active and parasitic transistors, the leakage current measured on diodes with various perimeters and the channel width measurements are presented

AN ANALYSIS OF THE ADVANTAGES OF A BOX ISOLATION TECHNIQUE

Dans ce papier nous présentons un procédé BOX et les résultats électriques obtenus avec cette technique. Il utilise un contre-masque de polysilicium plutôt que d'utiliser un procédé avec une double couche de résine. Les caractéristiques électriques des transistors parasites, le courrant de fuite des diodes avec périmètres variables et la variation de la largeur de canal sont presentés.In this paper we present a BOX process and the electrical results obtained with this technique, in which a polysilicon counter-mask is used instead of a double resist layer to perform the field oxide. The electrical characteristics of active and parasitic transistors, the leakage current measured on diodes with various perimeters and the channel width measurements are presented