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)

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

Allergenicity assessment of new or modified protein-containing food sources and ingredients

The growing world population, changing dietary habits, and increasing pressure on agricultural resources are drivers for the development of novel foods (including new protein sources as well as existing protein sources that are produced or used in an alternative way or in a different concentration). These changes, coupled with consumer inclination to adopt new dietary trends, may heighten the intake of unfamiliar proteins, or escalate consumption of specific ones, potentially amplifying the prevalence of known and undiscovered food allergies. Assessing the allergenicity of novel or modified protein-based foods encounters several challenges, including uncertainty surrounding acceptable risks and assessment criteria for determining safety. Moreover, the available methodological tools for gathering supportive data exhibit significant gaps. This paper synthesises these challenges, addressing the varied interpretations of “safe” across jurisdictions and societal attitudes towards allergenic risk. It proposes a comprehensive two-part framework for allergenicity assessment: the first part emphasises systematic consideration of knowledge and data requirements, while the second part proposes the application of a generic assessment approach, integrating a Threshold of Allergological Concern. This combined framework highlights areas that require attention to bridge knowledge and data gaps, and it delineates research priorities for its development and implementation

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)

Nouvelles sources protéiques et nouveaux allergènes : sensibilisation de novo et réactivité croisée

International audienceIn response to climate change and new dietary trends, the sustainable production of novel protein sources, as alternative to those of animal origin, and the use of novel food ingredients and complements are increasing. In this context, the allergenic risk of these novel foods needs to be assessed. Current guidance for allergenicity risk assessment relies on a weight-of-evidence approach to determine the risk of de novo sensitization and the risk of cross-reactivity to novel food antigens in patients already sensitized to known allergens. Nevertheless, the evolution of our dietary habits will inevitably increase the frequency of certain food allergies, as already observed for insect or legume proteins. Therefore, alongside the development of in silico and in vitro experimental models to better apprehend the allergenic potential of foods, anaphylaxis registries remain a critical tool for monitoring and warning of emerging allergens.Face aux changements climatiques et à la diversité des tendances alimentaires, la production de nouvelles sources protéiques en alternative aux protéines d'origine animale, et la consommation de nouveaux ingrédients et compléments alimentaires sont en forte augmentation. Dans ce cadre, il est nécessaire d'évaluer le risque allergénique de ces nouveaux aliments. En l'absence de méthodologie de référence, cette évaluation repose sur une approche des éléments de preuve afin de déterminer le risque de sensibilisation de novo ainsi que le risque de réaction croisée contre un nouvel antigène alimentaire chez des patients déjà sensibilisés à des allergènes connus. Toutefois, l'évolution de nos régimes alimentaires va inévitablement induire l'augmentation de la fréquence de certaines allergies alimentaires comme cela est déjà observé pour les protéines d'insectes ou de légumineuses. Ainsi, en parallèle du développement de modèles expérimentaux in silico et in vitro afin de mieux appréhender le potentiel allergénique des aliments, les registres de cas d'anaphylaxie demeurent un outil essentiel pour surveiller et alerter sur les allergènes émergents.</div

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