The effects on European importers' food safety controls in the time of COVID-19

[EN] COVID-19 has highlighted the fragility of the global economic system. In just a few months, the consequences of the pandemic have left their mark on the affected countries at all levels and without exception. This article analyses the profile of food safety notifications reported by European countries in the first five months of 2020. The aim was to detect possible changes in food safety regulations imposed by control authorities that could aggravate the economic impacts of the pandemic. While COVID-19 does not appear to be a foodborne disease, some outbreaks have been linked to imported food, which might have affected the food control behaviour of importing countries. In this study, contingency tables and clustering were used to assess differences between years and notification characteristics and to detect homogeneous groups to help identify how the reported notifications might have changed. In the period considered in this study, the volume of notifications on most imported foodstuffs decreased considerably. This decrease was a direct consequence of the fall in international trade, which might have increased countries' reliance on domestic sources. The COVID-19 crisis has not caused a substantial change in the profile of European countries¿ in terms of the characteristics of reported notifications (product category and risk decision). However, the worst affected countries have replaced border rejections with alerts, which may indicate greater reliance on intra-EU markets.This research was supported by grant RTI2018-093791-B-C22 funded by Ministry of Science (Spain) and European Regional Development FundMartí Selva, ML.; Puertas Medina, RM.; García Alvarez-Coque, JM. (2021). The effects on European importers' food safety controls in the time of COVID-19. Food Control. 125:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.107952S11112

Food Supply without Risk: Multicriteria Analysis of Institutional Conditions of Exporters

[EN] International trade in food knows no borders, hence the need for prevention systems to avoid the consumption of products that are harmful to health. This paper proposes the use of multicriteria risk prevention tools that consider the socioeconomic and institutional conditions of food exporters. We propose the use of three decision-making methods-Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), Elimination et Choix Traduisant la Realite (ELECTRE), and Cross-Efficiency (CE)-to establish a ranking of countries that export cereals to the European Union, based on structural criteria related to the detection of potential associated risks (notifications, food quality, corruption, environmental sustainability in agriculture, and logistics). In addition, the analysis examines whether the wealth and institutional capacity of supplier countries influence their position in the ranking. The research was carried out biannually over the period from 2012-2016, allowing an assessment to be made of the possible stability of the markets. The results reveal that suppliers' rankings based exclusively on aspects related to food risk differ from importers' actual choices determined by micro/macroeconomic features (price, production volume, and economic growth). The rankings obtained by the three proposed methods are not the same, but present certain similarities, with the ability to discern countries according to their level of food risk. The proposed methodology can be applied to support sourcing strategies. In the future, food safety considerations could have increased influence in importing decisions, which would involve further difficulties for low-income countries.Ministry of Science and Innovation (Spain) and European Commission-ERDF. Project "Strengthening innovation policy in the agri-food sector" (RTI2018-093791-B-C22).Puertas Medina, RM.; Martí Selva, ML.; García Alvarez-Coque, JM. (2020). Food Supply without Risk: Multicriteria Analysis of Institutional Conditions of Exporters. International Journal of Environmental research and Public Health. 17(10):1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103432S1211710Walker, E., & Jones, N. (2002). An assessment of the value of documenting food safety in small and less developed catering businesses. Food Control, 13(4-5), 307-314. doi:10.1016/s0956-7135(02)00036-1Sun, Y.-M., & Ockerman, H. W. (2005). A review of the needs and current applications of hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) system in foodservice areas. Food Control, 16(4), 325-332. doi:10.1016/j.foodcont.2004.03.012Rohr, J. R., Barrett, C. B., Civitello, D. J., Craft, M. E., Delius, B., DeLeo, G. A., … Tilman, D. (2019). Emerging human infectious diseases and the links to global food production. 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Engineering tissue barrier models on hydrogel microfluidic platforms

Tissue barriers play a crucial role in human physiology by establishing tissue compartmentalization and regulating organ homeostasis. At the interface between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and flowing fluids, epithelial and endothelial barriers are responsible for solute and gas exchange. In the past decade, microfluidic technologies and organ-on-chip devices became popular as in vitro models able to recapitulate these biological barriers. However, in conventional microfluidic devices, cell barriers are primarily grown on hard polymeric membranes within polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) channels that do not mimic the cell¿ECM interactions nor allow the incorporation of other cellular compartments such as stromal tissue or vascular structures. To develop models that accurately account for the different cellular and acellular compartments of tissue barriers, researchers have integrated hydrogels into microfluidic setups for tissue barrier-on-chips, either as cell substrates inside the chip, or as self-contained devices. These biomaterials provide the soft mechanical properties of tissue barriers and allow the embedding of stromal cells. Combining hydrogels with microfluidics technology provides unique opportunities to better recreate in vitro the tissue barrier models including the cellular components and the functionality of the in vivo tissues. Such platforms have the potential of greatly improving the predictive capacities of the in vitro systems in applications such as drug development, or disease modeling. Nevertheless, their development is not without challenges in their microfabrication. In this review, we will discuss the recent advances driving the fabrication of hydrogel microfluidic platforms and their applications in multiple tissue barrier models

A 3D bioprinted hydrogel gut-on-chip with integrated electrodes for transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements

Conventional gut-on-chip (GOC) models typically represent the epithelial layer of the gut tissue, neglecting other important components such as the stromal compartment and the extracellular matrix (ECM) that play crucial roles in maintaining intestinal barrier integrity and function. These models often employ hard, flat porous membranes for cell culture, thus failing to recapitulate the soft environment and complex 3D architecture of the intestinal mucosa. Alternatively, hydrogels have been recently introduced in GOCs as ECM analogs to support the co-culture of intestinal cells in in vivo-like configurations, and thus opening new opportunities in the organ-on-chip field. In this work, we present an innovative GOC device that includes a 3D bioprinted hydrogel channel replicating the intestinal villi architecture containing both the epithelial and stromal compartments of the gut mucosa. The bioprinted hydrogels successfully support both the encapsulation of fibroblasts and their co-culture with intestinal epithelial cells under physiological flow conditions. Moreover, we successfully integrated electrodes into the microfluidic system to monitor the barrier formation in real time via transepithelial electrical resistance measurements

El uso del foro en Educación Superior: aplicación para la asignatura "Economía de la Empresa: dirección y organización"

Colección: Contextos Universitarios Transformadores (CUT). Número 7[Resumen] Las actividades de innovación docente, basadas en el uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación, están adquiriendo cada vez una mayor relevancia. Tales actividades permiten el desarrollo de espacios de aprendizaje basados en discusiones académicas que favorecen el desarrollo del pensamiento crítico por parte de los estudiantes a partir de la comunicación. En este contexto, los foros están adquiriendo una gran relevancia debido a que permiten ubicar al alumnado en una determinada problemática, motivarlo a intervenir en la discusión y darle la oportunidad de contribuir con su punto de vista. El presente trabajo analiza la experiencia desarrollada en el uso de foros en la asignatura Economía de la Empresa: Dirección y Organización en el Grado en Administración y Dirección de Empresas (ADE) y en el doble grado en ADE y Derecho en el curso 2021-2022 de la Facultad de Economía y Empresa de la Universidade da Coruña. Tras el desarrollo de los mismos, se realizó una encuesta a los/as estudiantes, cuyos resultados ponen de manifiesto que los aspectos más valorados de los foros para los estudiantes de ADE y ADE y Derecho son la utilidad percibida -relacionada con la dimensión de aceptación tecnológica de la herramienta- y la autoeficacia percibida respectivamente -relacionada con la dimensión social cognitiva que provee la herramienta-. En cuanto a los aspectos menos valorados de los foros, tanto los estudiantes de ADE como los de ADE y Derecho señalan la facilidad percibida de uso -relacionada con la dimensión de aceptación tecnológica de la herramienta-.[Abstract] Teaching innovation activities, based on the use of information and communication technologies, are becoming increasingly important. Such activities allow the development of learning spaces based on academic discussions that favor students´ critical thinking development based on communication. In this context, the forums are acquiring great relevance because they allow the students to be placed in a certain problem, motivate them to intervene in the discussion and give them the opportunity to contribute with their point of view. The present paper analyses the experience developed in the use of forums in the subject Business Economics: Management and Organization in the Degree in Business Administration and Management (ADE) and in the double degree in ADE and Law in the 2021-2022 academic year from the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of A Coruna. Once the forums were developed, a survey was carried out to the students whose results show that the most valued aspects of the forums for Business Administration students and for Business Administration and Law students are the perceived usefulness -related to the dimension of technological acceptance of the tool- and the perceived self-efficacy respectively -related to the cognitive social dimension provided by the tool. Regarding the least valued aspects of the forums, both Business Administration students and Business Administration and Law students point to the perceived ease of use -related to the dimension of technological acceptance of the tool-.http://hdl.handle.net/2183/3249

Extracellular vesicles and soluble factors secreted by Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 and ECOR63 protect against enteropathogenic E. coli-induced intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction

Background: Enteric pathogens have developed mechanisms to disrupt tight junctions and increase gut permeability. Many studies have analysed the ability of live probiotics to protect intestinal epithelial cells against tight junction damage caused by bacterial pathogens. Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) is among the probiotics that positively modulates the intestinal epithelial barrier by regulating expression and distribution of tight junction proteins. We previously reported that regulation of ZO-1, claudin-14 and claudin-2 is mediated by EcN secreted factors, either free-released or associated with outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). Factors secreted by commensal ECOR63 elicited comparable effects in intact epithelial T-84 and Caco-2 cell monolayers. Results:Here we analyse the ability of OMVs and soluble secreted factors to protect epithelial barrier function in polarized T-84 and Caco-2 cells infected with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC). Transepithelial electrical resistance, paracellular permeability, mRNA levels and subcellular distribution of tight junction proteins were monitored in the absence or presence of EcN and ECOR63 extracellular fractions. EPEC downregulated expression of ZO-1 ZO-2, occludin and claudin-14 and altered the subcellular localization of ZO-1, occludin and F-actin cytoskeleton. OMVs and soluble factors secreted by EcN and ECOR63 counteracted EPEC- altered transepithelial resistance and paracellular permeability, preserved occludin and claudin-14 mRNA levels, retained ZO-1 and occludin at tight junctions in the cell boundaries and ameliorated F-actin disorganization. Redistribution of ZO-1 was not accompanied by changes at mRNA level. Conclusions: This study provides new insights on the role of microbiota secreted factors on the modulation of intestinal tight junctions, expanding their barrier- protective effects against pathogen-induced disruption

1,2-Diaryl(3-pyridyl)ethanone Oximes. Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding Networks Revealed by X-ray Diffraction

The synthesis of a set of 1-aryl-2-aryl(3-pyridyl)ethanones 1-5 and thecorresponding ketoximes 6-9 is reported. Structural studies of oximes 6, 7 and 9 wereperformed in solution using 1H-NMR and in the solid state by X-ray crystallography,providing evidence of H-bonding networks. The crystal packing was controlled byhomomeric intermolecular oxime···oxime H-bond interactions for 6 and cooperativeoxime···N(pyridyl) and CH/π interactions for 7 and 9. Keywords: Oximes; ethanones; hydrogen bonds; self-assembly; X-ray diffraction crystalograph

Wikis colaborativas. Una experiencia en la facultad de economía y empresa

Colección: Contextos Universitarios Transformadores (CUT). Número 7[Resumen] Los estudios realizados en los últimos años señalan el aprendizaje colaborativo y el uso de las TICs en el aula como herramientas esenciales de cara a promover un proceso eficiente de enseñanza-aprendizaje. Las wikis colaborativas recogen ambos aspectos, favoreciendo la cooperación del alumnado y mejorando sus competencias digitales. Por este motivo, en el curso 2020-2021, se ha llevado a cabo una actividad de wikis colaborativas en la materia Análisis Económico de las Organizaciones, que se imparte en el cuarto curso del doble grado de Administración y Dirección de Empresas-Derecho de la Universidade da Coruña. Con el fin de evaluar el impacto de esta actividad en el alumnado y en su proceso de aprendizaje, se ha elaborado un cuestionario, que ha sido contestado por los alumnos al finalizar la actividad. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que los alumnos perciben claramente que una aportación de calidad a la wiki será recompensada luego en los resultados de la materia. Sin embargo, los resultados en cuanto a que la participación en la actividad les ha gustado, aunque son buenos, pueden ser mejorados. Por tanto, cabe seguir mejorando en su diseño y contenidos.[Abstract] Studies carried out in recent years point to collaborative learning and the use of ICT in the classroom as essential tools to promote an efficient teaching-learning process. Collaborative wikis include both aspects, favouring student cooperation and improving their digital competences. For this reason, in the 2020-2021 academic year, a collaborative wiki activity has been carried out in the subject Economic Analysis of Organisations, which is taught in the fourth year of the double degree in Business Administration and Management-Law at the Universidade da Coruña. In order to assess the impact of this activity on the students and their learning process, a questionnaire was prepared and answered by the students at the end of the activity. The results obtained show that students clearly perceive that a quality contribution to the wiki will be rewarded later in the results of the subject. However, the results in terms of liking participation in the activity, although good, can be improved. Therefore, the design and content of the wiki can be further improved.http://hdl.handle.net/2183/3249

Association of IFN-γ +874 A/T SNP and hypermethylation of the -53 CpG site with tuberculosis susceptibility

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is now the 2nd leading infectious killer after COVID-19 and the 13th leading cause of death worldwide. Moreover, TB is a lethal combination for HIV-patients. Th1 responses and particularly IFN-γ are crucial for immune protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Many gene variants for IFNG that confer susceptibility to TB have been described in multiple ethnic populations. Likewise, some epigenetic modifications have been evaluated, being CpG methylation the major epigenetic mark that makes chromatin inaccessible to transcription factors, thus avoiding the initiation of IFNG transcription. Methods: We evaluated both genetic and epigenetic changes involved in IFN-γ production and TB susceptibility in Argentine population. Amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) was performed for the IFN-γ +874 A/T polymorphism (rs2430561) genotyping in 199 healthy donors (HD) and 173 tuberculosis (TB) patients. IFN-γ levels from M. tuberculosis-stimulated PBMCs were measured by ELISA. The methylation status at the -53 CpG site of the IFNG promoter in individuals with latent infection (LTBI), TB and HD was determine by pyrosequencing. Results: Using a case-control study, we found that A allele and, consequently, AA genotype were overrepresented in patients with active disease. Moreover, HD carrying T allele (AT or TT genotype) evidenced an augmented IFN-γ secretion compared to TB patients. Codominance was the genetic model that best fits our results according to the Akaike information criterion (AIC). In addition, increased methylation levels at the -53 CpG site in the IFN-γ promoter were observed in whole blood of patients with active TB compared to LTBI individuals. Discussion: IFN-γ is regulated by genetic variants and epigenetic modifications during TB. Besides, AA genotype of the rs2430561 single nucleotide polymorphism could be considered as a potential TB susceptibility genetic biomarker in Argentina and the methylation of the -53 CpG site could result in a useful predictor of TB reactivation.Fil: Alvarez, Guadalupe Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo; ArgentinaFil: Hernández del Pino, Rodrigo Emanuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Barbero, Angela Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Estermann, Martín Andrés. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Celano, Josefina. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Musella, Rosa María. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Infecciosas "Dr. Francisco Javier Muñiz"; ArgentinaFil: Palmero, Domingo Juan. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Infecciosas "Dr. Francisco Javier Muñiz"; ArgentinaFil: García, Verónica Edith. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Pasquinelli, Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Inter-rater reliability assessment for the new-born screening quality assurance

IntroductionTo ensure the quality of the new-born screening (NBS), our laboratory reviewed the analytical procedure to detect subjective steps that may represent a risk to the patient. Two subjective activities were identified in the extra-analytical phases: the classification of dried blood spots (DBS) according to their quality and the assignment of haemoglobin patterns. To keep these activities under control, inter-rater studies were implemented. This study aimed to evaluate the inter-rater reliability and the effectiveness of the measures taken to improve the agreement between observers, to assure NBS results’ quality. Materials and methodsDried blood spots specimens were used for the inter-rater studies. Ten studies were performed to assess DBS quality classification, and four to assess the assignment of haemoglobin patterns. Krippendorff’s alpha test was used to estimate inter-rater reliability. Causes were investigated when alpha values were below 0.80. ResultsFor both activities, the reliability obtained in the first studies was inadequate. After investigation, we detected that the criterion to classify a DBS as scant was not consolidated, and also a lack of consensus on whether or not to report Bart’s haemoglobin depending on its percentage. Alpha estimates became higher once the training was reinforced and a consensus about the appropriate criteria to be applied was reached. ConclusionInter-rater reliability assessment helped us to ensure the quality of subjective activities that could add variability to NBS results. Furthermore, the evolution of the alpha value over time allowed us to verify the effectiveness of the measures adopted