Strategic Considerations in Designing Food Solutions for Seniors

The demographic shift towards an aged population calls for targeted nutrition strategies to support healthy aging and bridge the gap between life expectancy and a healthy life span. Older adults face various nutritional deficiencies, particularly in protein, vitamins (B12, D), minerals (calcium, iron), and dietary fiber. This work delves into the EAT4AGE project efforts that strategically aimed to develop age-oriented food products (European Joint Programming Initiative “A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life” JPI HDHL). Currently, manufacturing of age-tailored food products presents significant complexities, from challenges of commercialization to the generation of acceptable and palatable food choices. As a first step, a literature-based comprehensive checklist has been developed to facilitate product development. This tool provides an integrated approach, ensuring that all critical aspects of product development are addressed systematically. Secondly, we describe the application of the tool in the development of a series of products, such as plant-based protein-rich cereals, reformulated dairy products, processed meat, and enriched spreads; all combining high nutritional values with adaptations to the physiological and sensory needs of seniors. Overall, this work offers insight into the current needs of seniors and a tool for product development that can be utilized for prospective product development, such as the ones detailed herein. Thus, the EAT4AGE hopes to set an example that will stimulate the fabrication of effective, well-received nutritional solutions, ultimately improving health outcomes for older adults

A subset of circulating blood mycobacteria-specific CD4 T cells can predict the time to Mycobacterium tuberculosis sputum culture conversion

We investigated 18 HIV-negative patients with MDR-TB for M. tuberculosis (Mtb)- and PPD-specific CD4 T cell responses and followed them over 6 months of drug therapy. Twelve of these patients were sputum culture (SC) positive and six patients were SC negative upon enrollment. Our aim was to identify a subset of mycobacteria-specific CD4 T cells that would predict time to culture conversion. The total frequency of mycobacteria-specific CD4 T cells at baseline could not distinguish patients showing positive or negative SC. However, a greater proportion of late-differentiated (LD) Mtb- and PPD-specific memory CD4 T cells was found in SC positive patients than in those who were SC negative (p = 0.004 and p = 0.0012, respectively). Similarly, a higher co-expression of HLA-DR + Ki67 + on Mtb- and PPD-specific CD4 T cells could also discriminate between sputum SC positive versus SC negative (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that baseline levels of Ki67 + HLA-DR + Mtb- and PPD-specific CD4 T cells were predictive of the time to sputum culture conversion, with area-under-the-curve of 0.8 (p = 0.027). Upon treatment, there was a significant decline of these Ki67 + HLA-DR + T cell populations in the first 2 months, with a progressive increase in mycobacteria-specific polyfunctional IFNγ + IL2 + TNFα + CD4 T cells over 6 months. Thus, a subset of activated and proliferating mycobacterial-specific CD4 T cells (Ki67 + HLA-DR + ) may provide a valuable marker in peripheral blood that predicts time to sputum culture conversion in TB patients at the start of treatment

Prediction of Partition Coefficients of Organic Compounds in Ionic Liquids Using a Temperature-Dependent Linear Solvation Energy Relationship with Parameters Calculated through a Group Contribution Method

This article discusses the prediction of partition coefficients of organic compounds in ionic liquids

The use of home-based HIV testing and counseling in low-and-middle income countries: a scoping review

Abstract Background Knowledge of HIV status is crucial for both prevention and treatment of HIV infection. However, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), only 10% of the population has access to HIV testing services. Home-based HIV testing and counseling (HTC) is one of the approaches which have been shown to be effective in improving access to HIV testing in LMICs. The objective of this review was to map evidence on the use of home-based HTC in LMICs. Methods We searched PubMed, EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, Science Direct, World Health Organization library database and UNAIDS databases from January 2013 to October 2017. Eligibility criteria included articles pertaining to the use of home-based HTC in LMICs. Two reviewers independently reviewed the articles for eligibility. The following themes were extracted from the included studies: use, feasibility and effectiveness of home-based HTC on patient-centered outcomes in LMICs. The risk of bias for the included studies was assessed using mixed methods appraisal tool -version 2011. Results A total of 855,117 articles were identified from all the databases searched. Of this, only 17 studies met the inclusion criteria after full article screening and were included for data extraction. All included studies presented evidence on the use of Home-based HTC by most age groups (18 months to 70 years) comprising of both males and females. The included studies were conducted in the following countries: Zambia, Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Malawi, Swaziland, Pakistan, and Botswana. This study demonstrated that home-based HTC was used in LMICs alongside supervised HTC intervention using different types of HTC tests kits produced by different manufacturers. This study also showed that home-based HTC was feasible, highly effective, and increased uptake of HIV testing and counseling. This study further demonstrated a highly successful usage of supervised home-based HTC by most age groups in LMICs, with majority of users being females (89.1%). Conclusion We therefore recommend primary studies in other LMICs to determine the feasibility and use of HTC to help achieve the UNAIDS 90:90:90 targets. Interventions to improve the use of home-based HTC by males are also recommended. Trial registration PROSPERO registration number: CRD42017056478

Electrochemical Response of Nitrite and Nitric Oxide on Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles Doped with Prussian Blue (PB) and Fe₂O₃ Nanoparticles

Nitrite (NO2 -) is an important environmental molecule which is found in the natural environment and food because of its application as food preservative [1]. Thus it has gained research interest in both biological and environmental studies because of its health implications [1]. The nitrite ion combines with blood pigments to produce meta-haemoglobin which causes oxygen depletion to the tissues [2]. It also forms highly carcinogenic N-nitrosamine compounds when combined with amines and amides in the stomach [2]. Therefore, quantitative determination of nitrite in drinking water to access its quality, wastewater treatment, in food and for the control of remediation procedures cannot be overemphasized. Several methods have been developed for nitrite determination including electrochemical methods but with one drawback or the other [3]. Many of these procedures are time-consuming, but the electrochemical technique has been identified to provide cheaper, faster and realtime analysis. In this study, electrocatalytic behaviour of graphene oxide (GO), iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3) and Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles and their nanocomposite towards nitrite (NO2 -) and nitric oxide (NO) oxidation in neutral and acidic media respectively was carried out on platinum (Pt) modified electrode. Successful synthesis of these nano materials was confirmed using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Successful modification of electrode was confirmed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Results showed that the Pt-GO-Fe2O3 and Pt-GO-PB nanocomposite modified electrodes gave faster electron transfer process in both 5 mM Ferri/Ferro ([Fe(CN)6]3−/4−) redox probe and 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS). Pt-GO-Fe2O3 and Pt-GO-PB electrodes also gave enhanced NO2 - and NO oxidation current compared with bare Pt and other electrodes studied. Electrocatalytic oxidation of the analyte occurred through a simple diffusion process but characterised with some level of adsorption. Tafel slope b of 468.4, 305.2 mVdec-1 (NO2 -, NO); and 311.5, 277.2 mVdec-1 (NO2 -, NO) were obtained for the analyte at Pt-GO-Fe2O3 and Pt-GO-PB electrode respectively. The limit of detection of these electrodes (LoD) is in the micro molar range and compared favourably with literature reported values. Pt-GO-Fe2O3 gave best performance to NO2 - and NO electrooxidation. The adsorption equilibrium constant β and the standard free energy change ΔG0 due to adsorption for the electrodes are discussed. The fabricated sensors are easy to prepare, cost effective and can be applied for real sample analysis of nitrite and nitric oxide in different matrices. References 1. A. S. Adekunle, J. Pillay and K. I. Ozoemena, Electrochim. Acta, 2010, 55, 4319. 2. J. Davis and R. G. Compton, Anal. Chim. Acta, 2000, 404, 241. 3. X. Wang, E. Adams and A. Van Schepdael, Talanta, 2012, 97, 142.</jats:p

Electrochemical response of nitrite and nitric oxide on graphene oxide nanoparticles doped with Prussian blue (PB) and Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles

Electrocatalytic behaviour of graphene oxide (GO), iron(iii) oxide (Fe2O3) and Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles towards nitrite (NO2−) and nitric oxide (NO) oxidation was investigated on a platinum modified electrode.</p

A subset of circulating blood mycobacteria-specific CD4 T cells can predict the time to Mycobacterium tuberculosis sputum culture conversion.

We investigated 18 HIV-negative patients with MDR-TB for M. tuberculosis (Mtb)- and PPD-specific CD4 T cell responses and followed them over 6 months of drug therapy. Twelve of these patients were sputum culture (SC) positive and six patients were SC negative upon enrollment. Our aim was to identify a subset of mycobacteria-specific CD4 T cells that would predict time to culture conversion. The total frequency of mycobacteria-specific CD4 T cells at baseline could not distinguish patients showing positive or negative SC. However, a greater proportion of late-differentiated (LD) Mtb- and PPD-specific memory CD4 T cells was found in SC positive patients than in those who were SC negative (p = 0.004 and p = 0.0012, respectively). Similarly, a higher co-expression of HLA-DR+ Ki67+ on Mtb- and PPD-specific CD4 T cells could also discriminate between sputum SC positive versus SC negative (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that baseline levels of Ki67+ HLA-DR+ Mtb- and PPD-specific CD4 T cells were predictive of the time to sputum culture conversion, with area-under-the-curve of 0.8 (p = 0.027). Upon treatment, there was a significant decline of these Ki67+ HLA-DR+ T cell populations in the first 2 months, with a progressive increase in mycobacteria-specific polyfunctional IFNγ+ IL2+ TNFα+ CD4 T cells over 6 months. Thus, a subset of activated and proliferating mycobacterial-specific CD4 T cells (Ki67+ HLA-DR+) may provide a valuable marker in peripheral blood that predicts time to sputum culture conversion in TB patients at the start of treatment