Biodegradation of ochratoxin A by Pediococcus parvulus isolated from Douro wines

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a promising solution to reduce exposure to dietary mycotoxins because of the unique mycotoxin decontaminating characteristic of some LAB. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most prominent mycotoxins found in agricultural commodities. The present work reports on the ability of Pediococcus parvulus strains that were isolated from Douro wines that spontaneously underwent malolactic fermentation to detoxify OTA. These strains were identified and characterised using a polyphasic approach that employed both phenotypic and genotypic methods. When cultivated on OTA-supplemented MRS media, OTA was biodegraded into OTα by certain P. parvulus strains. The presence of OTα was confirmed using LC-MS/MS. The conversion of OTA into OTα indicates that the OTA amide bond was hydrolysed by a putative peptidase. The rate of OTA biodegradation was found to be dependent on the inoculum size and on the incubation temperature. Adsorption assays with dead P. parvulus cells showed that approximately 1.3% ± 1.0 of the OTA was adsorbed onto cells wall, which excludes this mechanism in the elimination of OTA by strains that degrades OTA. Under optimum conditions, 50% and 90% of OTA was degraded in 6 and 19 h, respectively. Other LAB strains that belonged to different species were tested but did not degrade OTA. OTA biodegradation by P. parvulus UTAD 473 was observed in grape must. Because some P. parvulus strains have relevant probiotic properties, the strains that were identified could be particularly relevant to food and feed applications to counteract the toxic effects of OTA.This work was funded by FEDER funds through the "Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade - COMPETE" and by national funds through "Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia - FCT", Ref. FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-028029 and PTDC/AGR-TEC/3900/2012, respectively. The authors also thank the FCT Strategic Project PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013 and the Project "BioInd - Biotechnology and Bioengineering for improved Industrial and Agro-Food processes, REF. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000028" co-funded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2 - O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER. Luis Abrunhosa was supported by the grant SFRH/BPD/43922/2008 from FCT

Service engagement in interventions for street-connected children and young people: a summary of evidence supplementing a recent Cochrane–Campbell review

Abstract Background This paper builds on a Cochrane–Campbell systematic review of interventions that reduce harms and promote reintegration in street-connected children and young people focusing on intervention outcomes. The aim of the present analysis is to explore questions raised in the systematic review over the potential role of service engagement in mediating outcomes of relevant interventions. Objective The paper summarises engagement-related findings from quantitative intervention evaluations with street-connected populations of children and young people, as reported by study authors. It seeks to contribute to theoretical and methodological understandings of service engagement with street-connected youth populations and to highlight gaps in current knowledge. Methods Drawing on the original search for the Cochrane–Campbell review, we rescreened search results in our database and included quantitative findings if relevant to our current research questions, regardless of study design. Additionally, we sought new study publications from authors whose work was included in the original systematic review. The discussion explores relevant data from five studies included in the original systematic review, ten studies excluded from the review, and two studies published after the completion of the review. Results The measures of service engagement in the included studies focused on treatment attendance, ‘level of engagement’, and service satisfaction. Evidence on the impact of service engagement on other outcomes in interventions for street-connected children and young people was limited. Available data on the predictors and impact of service engagement were mixed and appear not to provide robust support for common hypotheses in the relevant context

Prenatal Hyperandrogenization Induces Metabolic and Endocrine Alterations Which Depend on the Levels of Testosterone Exposure

Prenatal hyperandrogenism is able to induce polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in rats. The aim of the present study was to establish if the levels of prenatal testosterone may determine the extent of metabolic and endocrine alterations during the adult life. Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were prenatally injected with either 2 or 5 mg free testosterone (groups T2 and T5 respectively) from day 16 to day 19 day of gestation. Female offspring from T2 and T5 displayed different phenotype of PCOS during adult life. Offspring from T2 showed hyperandrogenism, ovarian cysts and ovulatory cycles whereas those from T5 displayed hyperandrogenism, ovarian cysts and anovulatory cycles. Both group showed increased circulating glucose levels after the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT; an evaluation of insulin resistance). IPGTT was higher in T5 rats and directly correlated with body weight at prepubertal age. However, the decrease in the body weight at prepubertal age was compensated during adult life. Although both groups showed enhanced ovarian steroidogenesis, it appears that the molecular mechanisms involved were different. The higher dose of testosterone enhanced the expression of both the protein that regulates cholesterol availability (the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR)) and the protein expression of the transcriptional factor: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma). Prenatal hyperandrogenization induced an anti-oxidant response that prevented a possible pro-oxidant status. The higher dose of testosterone induced a pro-inflammatory state in ovarian tissue mediated by increased levels of prostaglandin E (PG) and the protein expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2, the limiting enzyme of PGs synthesis). In summary, our data show that the levels of testosterone prenatally injected modulate the uterine environment and that this, in turn, would be responsible for the endocrine and metabolic abnormalities and the phenotype of PCOS during the adult life

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Uso problemático de las tecnologías, actividades de ocio y funciones ejecutivas en adolescentes

Introducción: El objetivo principal de este estudio es analizar la relación entre el uso problemático de las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (UPT), las funciones ejecutivas (control inhibitorio, planificación y logro de metas) y las actividades de ocio de los/as adolescentes (ocio positivo y ocio no estructurado), en función del género, la edad y el rendimiento académico. Metodología: En esta investigación han participado 3.831 adolescentes escolarizados de 13 a 18 años de 4 países (Chile, España, México y Perú). El instrumento utilizado es el cuestionario de autoinforme del proyecto YOURLIFE. Se ha realizado un análisis de regresión lineal múltiple con el fin de obtener un modelo predictivo. Resultados Los análisis han mostrado que el UPT era más frecuente en el grupo de más edad. El modelo predictivo ha indicado que un menor control inhibitorio, así como las actividades de ocio no estructurado, se asociaban con el UPT. A su vez, las actividades de ocio positivo (actividades familiares y lectura recreativa) se han presentado como factores protectores de la PUT. Discusión: En el artículo se discute sobre la necesidad de desarrollar programas para adolescentes que promuevan actividades de ocio positivo, la intervención educativa y psicológica y la implicación de los padres y madres en la educación para el uso responsable y eficiente de las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación.Introduction: The main objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between problematic use of information and communication technologies (PUT), executive functions (inhibitory control, planning and goal achievement) and leisure activities of adolescents (positive leisure and unstructured leisure), according to gender, age and academic performance. Methodology: This research has involved 3,831 school-going adolescents aged 13 to 18 from four countries (Chile, Spain, Mexico and Peru). The instrument used is the self-report questionnaire of the YOURLIFE project. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed in order to obtain a predictive model. Results: The analyses showed that PUT was more frequent in the older group. The predictive model indicated that lower inhibitory control, as well as unstructured leisure activities, were associated with PUT. In addition, positive leisure activities (family activities and recreational reading) were found to be protective factors for PUT. Discussion: The article highlights the need for developmental programs for adolescents that promote positive leisure activities, educational and psychological intervention, and parental involvement in education for responsible and efficient use of information and communication technologies

Uso problemático de las tecnologías, actividades de ocio y funciones ejecutivas en adolescentes

Introducción: El objetivo principal de este estudio es analizar la relación entre el uso problemático de las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (UPT), las funciones ejecutivas (control inhibitorio, planificación y logro de metas) y las actividades de ocio de los/as adolescentes (ocio positivo y ocio no estructurado), en función del género, la edad y el rendimiento académico. Metodología: En esta investigación han participado 3.831 adolescentes escolarizados de 13 a 18 años de 4 países (Chile, España, México y Perú). El instrumento utilizado es el cuestionario de autoinforme del proyecto YOURLIFE. Se ha realizado un análisis de regresión lineal múltiple con el fin de obtener un modelo predictivo. Resultados Los análisis han mostrado que el UPT era más frecuente en el grupo de más edad. El modelo predictivo ha indicado que un menor control inhibitorio, así como las actividades de ocio no estructurado, se asociaban con el UPT. A su vez, las actividades de ocio positivo (actividades familiares y lectura recreativa) se han presentado como factores protectores de la PUT. Discusión: En el artículo se discute sobre la necesidad de desarrollar programas para adolescentes que promuevan actividades de ocio positivo, la intervención educativa y psicológica y la implicación de los padres y madres en la educación para el uso responsable y eficiente de las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación.Introduction: The main objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between problematic use of information and communication technologies (PUT), executive functions (inhibitory control, planning and goal achievement) and leisure activities of adolescents (positive leisure and unstructured leisure), according to gender, age and academic performance. Methodology: This research has involved 3,831 school-going adolescents aged 13 to 18 from four countries (Chile, Spain, Mexico and Peru). The instrument used is the self-report questionnaire of the YOURLIFE project. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed in order to obtain a predictive model. Results: The analyses showed that PUT was more frequent in the older group. The predictive model indicated that lower inhibitory control, as well as unstructured leisure activities, were associated with PUT. In addition, positive leisure activities (family activities and recreational reading) were found to be protective factors for PUT. Discussion: The article highlights the need for developmental programs for adolescents that promote positive leisure activities, educational and psychological intervention, and parental involvement in education for responsible and efficient use of information and communication technologies

Leisure time activities in adolescents predict problematic technology use

The problematic use of technology of children and adolescents is becoming a growing problem. Research has shown that excessive technology use predicts a variety of psychological and physical health problems. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of leisure time activities (structured and unstructured) in adolescents as a predictor of problematic technology use. Participants were 7723 adolescents, of which 55% were girls, from four Spanish-speaking countries (Chile, Spain, Mexico, and Peru) between the ages of 13 and 18 years. The evaluation instrument applied was the YOURLIFE project self-report questionnaire. Two executive functions were measured: goal setting and inhibitory control. Using structural equation modeling, findings indicated that structured leisure time activities predicted less PTU, whereas unstructured activities predicted more PTU, MLχ2 (69, N = 7723) = 806.60; CFI = 0.929, RMSEA = 0.042, and the model had good predictive capacity for PTU (R2 = 0.46). Structured and unstructured activities also showed indirect effects on PTU through executive functions. As adolescents spent more time in unstructured leisure activities, poorer goal setting, inhibitory control skills, and more PTU were found. The opposite was true for structured leisure time activities. Implications of structured leisure activities to develop executive functioning and to prevent PTU for adolescents are discussed