Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for MUN analysis in normal and adulterated Milk

The objective of this study was to evaluate the CombiScope FTIR equipment based on Fourier Transform Infrared methodology (FTIR), to assess the content of milk urea nitrogen (MUN) in Brazil. Repeatability and reproducibility of CombiScopeTM FTIR (Delta Instruments), and comparison with an enzymatic automated method (Chemspec® 150; Bentley Instruments) were tested to measure raw milk urea nitrogen (MUN). Additionally, MUN levels stability after storage of raw milk samples at 4ºC, and 20ºC for up to 15 days, and capability and precision to detect extraneous urea added as an adulterant to the milk were evaluated by FTIR equipment. There was a high correlation coefficient for the analysis of MUN by FTIR equipment, when compared with the automated enzymatic method, with no significant difference between both. MUN concentration in raw milk remained stable at temperatures of 4ºC for up to 15 days of storage, but after 3 days of storage at 20ºC there was an increase in the MUN levels. The CombiScope FTIR equipment proved to be a reliable method for analysis of MUN content in raw milk. However, results for MUN were not linear with the amount of extraneous urea added to raw milk, having a significant difference for samples when 40mg/dL of urea was added to milk

Microbiological and physical-chemical characteristics of fermented milk beverages

This study aimed to evaluate some microbiological and physical-chemical characteristics of fermented milk beverages collected at the main supermarkets in Belo Horizonte (MG). 40 samples of the products corresponding to five distinct brands were collected. They were submitted to the following analyses: Most Probable Number (MPN) of total (30ºC) and thermal tolerant coliforms (45ºC), Salmonella spp., coagulase positive Staphylococcus, molds and yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, pH, titratable acidity and contents of moisture, total solids, protein and fat. The analyses were carried out during the last week of shelf life. The microbiological quality of the samples was good and the counts of lactic bacteria were above the minimum established by the official legislation. Streptococcus and Lactobacillus were isolated and identified from the products and Lactobacillus delbrueckii was molecularly identified in three samples. The mean values for the contents of fat and protein, titratable acidity, pH, moisture and total solids ranged from 1.24 to 1.98%; 1.88 to 2.22%; 0.54 to 0.66%; 3.91 to 4.16; 81.18 to 83.25% and 16.75 to 18.82%, respectively. All samples had protein content in agreement with the official legislation

Supporting the gastrointestinal microenvironment during high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation by inhibiting IL-1 signaling with anakinra

High-dose chemotherapy causes intestinal inflammation and subsequent breakdown of the mucosal barrier, permitting translocation of enteric pathogens, clinically manifesting as fever. Antibiotics are mainstay for controlling these complications, however, they are increasingly recognized for their detrimental effects, including antimicrobial resistance and dysbiosis. Here, we show that mucosal barrier injury induced by the mucotoxic chemotherapeutic agent, high-dose melphalan (HDM), is characterized by hyper-active IL-1b/CXCL1/neutrophil signaling. Inhibition of this pathway with IL-1RA, anakinra, minimized the duration and intensity of mucosal barrier injury and accompanying clinical symptoms, including diarrhea, weight loss and fever in rats. 16S analysis of fecal microbiome demonstrated a more stable composition in rats receiving anakinra, with reduced pathogen expansion. In parallel, we report through Phase IIA investigation that anakinra is safe in stem cell transplant patients with multiple myeloma after HDM. Ramping-up anakinra (100–300 mg administered intravenously for 15 days) did not cause any adverse events or dose limiting toxicities, nor did it change time to neutrophil recovery. Our results reinforce that strengthening the mucosal barrier may be an effective supportive care strategy to mitigate local and systemic clinical consequences of HDM. We are now conducting a Phase IIB multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial to assess clinical efficacy of anakinra (AFFECT-2). Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03233776

Supporting the gastrointestinal microenvironment during high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation by inhibiting IL-1 signaling with anakinra.

High-dose chemotherapy causes intestinal inflammation and subsequent breakdown of the mucosal barrier, permitting translocation of enteric pathogens, clinically manifesting as fever. Antibiotics are mainstay for controlling these complications, however, they are increasingly recognized for their detrimental effects, including antimicrobial resistance and dysbiosis. Here, we show that mucosal barrier injury induced by the mucotoxic chemotherapeutic agent, high-dose melphalan (HDM), is characterized by hyper-active IL-1b/CXCL1/neutrophil signaling. Inhibition of this pathway with IL-1RA, anakinra, minimized the duration and intensity of mucosal barrier injury and accompanying clinical symptoms, including diarrhea, weight loss and fever in rats. 16S analysis of fecal microbiome demonstrated a more stable composition in rats receiving anakinra, with reduced pathogen expansion. In parallel, we report through Phase IIA investigation that anakinra is safe in stem cell transplant patients with multiple myeloma after HDM. Ramping-up anakinra (100-300 mg administered intravenously for 15 days) did not cause any adverse events or dose limiting toxicities, nor did it change time to neutrophil recovery. Our results reinforce that strengthening the mucosal barrier may be an effective supportive care strategy to mitigate local and systemic clinical consequences of HDM. We are now conducting a Phase IIB multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial to assess clinical efficacy of anakinra (AFFECT-2).Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03233776.H. R. Wardill, C. E. M. de Mooij, A. R. Da Silva Ferreira, H. Havinga, H. J. M. Harmsen, W. J. F. M. van der Velden, L. F. J. van Groningen, W. J. E. Tissing, N. M. A. Blijleven