Short Communication: The biological value of transition milk: analyses of Immunoglobulin G, IGF-I and Lactoferrin in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows

Colostrum (the first mammary gland secretion after calving) is known to contain high concentrations of nutrients as well as bioactive substances (including immunoglobulins, growth factors, and antimicrobial factors) to ensure neonatal survival. Due to its immunomodulatory, antibacterial, and antiviral activities, bovine colostrum has been used not only in calves but also in the prevention and treatment of human gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. Transition milk is the mammary secretion from the second milking to the sixth, which may contain these bioactive compounds to a lesser extent. The objective of the present study was to measure IGF-I, immunoglobulin G (IgG), and lactoferrin (LTF) concentrations in colostrum and transition milk of primiparous and multiparous cows to further assess its potential use in veterinary and nutraceutical applications. The results demonstrated that the concentrations of these three bioactive molecules decrease from the first milking to the tenth. Concentrations of IGF-I and LTF were greater in multiparous than in primiparous cows. Also, lactation number interacted with milking number in IGF-I, since primiparous cows had a smoother decline of IGF-I concentrations than multiparous ones. Overall, transition milk from the second milking showed a 46% decrease in the analysed colostrum bioactive molecules. Therefore, further studies are needed to apply this knowledge in neonate farm management practices or in developing pharmaceutical supplements from farm surpluses.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Feeding colostrum and transition milk facilitates digestive tract functionality recovery from feed restriction and fasting of dairy calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate the digestive tract recovery and metabolism of feeding either bovine colostrum (BC), transition milk (TM), or milk replacer (MR) after an episode of feed restriction and fasting (FRF) in dairy calves. Thirty-five Holstein male calves (22 ± 4.8 d old) were involved in a 50-d study. After 3 d of feeding 2 L of rehydration solution twice daily and 19 h of fasting (d 1 of study), calves were randomly assigned to one of the 5 feeding treatments (n = 7): calves were offered either pooled BC during 4 (C4) or 10 (C10) days, pooled TM during 4 (TM4) or 10 (TM10) days, or MR for 10 d (CTRL) at the rate of 720 g/d DM content. Then, all calves were fed the same feeding program, gradually decreasing MR from 3L twice daily to 2 L once daily at 12.5% DM until weaning (d 42), and concentrate feed, water, and straw were offered ad libitum until d 50. Citrulline, Cr-EDTA, β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) in serum and complete blood count (CBC) were determined on d −3, 1, 2, 5 and 11 relative to FRF, except BHB and NEFA at d −3. Volatile fatty acids (VFA), lactoferrin (LTF), IgA and microbiota (Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio and Fecalis prausnitzii) were analyzed in feces on d 5 and 11 before the morning feeding. Health scores were recorded daily from d −3 to d 14 as well as d 23 and 30. Feed concentrate, MR, and straw intake were recorded daily, and body weight on d −3, 1, 2, 5 and 11 and weekly afterward. Calf performance, intake, serum Cr-EDTA, CBC, fecal LTF concentrations and microbiota parameters were similar among treatments throughout the study. Serum NEFA concentrations were greater in TM4, TM10 and C10 calves compared with the CTRL ones from d 2 to 11, and after the FRF, serum concentrations of BHB were lower in CTRL calves than in the other treatments, and on d 11, serum BHB concentrations in the long treatments (C10 and TM10) remained greater than those in the shorter ones (C4 and TM4) and CTRL. Serum citrulline concentrations were similar on d −3 and 1 in all treatments, but they were greater in C4, C10, TM4, and TM10 on d 2 and 5, and on d 11 they were only greater in C10 and TM10 than in CTRL calves. Fecal IgA concentrations tended to be greater in C10 than in CTRL, TM4, and TM10 calves, and in C4 and TM10 than in CTRL animals. Fecal propionate proportion was lesser in C10 than in CTRL, TM4 and TM10 calves, while butyrate was greater in C4 and C10 than in TM4 and CTRL calves. The proportion of non-normal fecal scores of C10 fed calves was greater than TM4 and TM10 calves. Results showed that TM and BC may help to recover intestinal functionality, provide gut immune protection, and increase liver fatty acid oxidation in calves after a FRF episode.This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under the project number PGC2018-098847-B-I00 and by the predoctoral grant PRE2019-087640 of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the European Regional Development Fund. The authors are also indebted to AGAUR (Barcelona, Spain) for project 2021 SGR 01552. We also show our gratitude to CERCA Programme (Generalitat de Catalunya). This work has been carried out within the framework of the Doctorate in Animal Production of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Bellaterra, Spain). The authors have not stated any conflicts of interest.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Nanocrystalline tin oxide nanofibers deposited by a novel focused electrospinning method. Application to the detection of TATP precursors

A new method of depositing tin dioxide nanofibers in order to develop chemical sensors is presented. It involves an electrospinning process with in-plane electrostatic focusing over micromechanized substrates. It is a fast and reproducible method. After an annealing process, which can be performed by the substrate heaters, it is observed that the fibers are intertwined forming porous networks that are randomly distributed on the substrate. The fiber diameters oscillate from 100 nm to 200 nm and fiber lengths reach several tens of microns. Each fiber has a polycrystalline structure with multiple nano-grains. The sensors have been tested for the detection of acetone and hydrogen peroxide (precursors of the explosive triacetone triperoxide, TATP) in air in the ppm range. High and fast responses to these gases have been obtained. © 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.This work has been supported by the Spanish Science and Innovation Ministry under the projects TEC2010-21357-C05-04 and TEC2013-48147-C6-4-R. Authors want to thank University of Extremadura for SEM and XRD analysis. We acknowledge support by the CSIC Open Access Publication Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI)Peer Reviewe

Love-Wave Sensors Combined with Microfluidics for Fast Detection of Biological Warfare Agents

The following paper examines a time-efficient method for detecting biological warfare agents (BWAs). The method is based on a system of a Love-wave immunosensor combined with a microfluidic chip which detects BWA samples in a dynamic mode. In this way a continuous flow-through of the sample is created, promoting the reaction between antigen and antibody and allowing a fast detection of the BWAs. In order to prove this method, static and dynamic modes have been simulated and different concentrations of BWA simulants have been tested with two immunoreactions: phage M13 has been detected using the mouse monoclonal antibody anti-M13 (AM13), and the rabbit immunoglobulin (Rabbit IgG) has been detected using the polyclonal antibody goat anti-rabbit (GAR). Finally, different concentrations of each BWA simulants have been detected with a fast response time and a desirable level of discrimination among them has been achieved.This work was supported by the Spanish Science and Innovation Ministry under the project TEC2010-21357-C05-04, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.We acknowledge support by the CSIC Open Access Publication Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI)Peer reviewe

Complements alimentaris: control oficial

Complements alimentaris; Control oficial; Guia; Seguretat alimentàriaComplementos alimenticios; Control oficial ; Guia; Seguridad alimentariaFood supplements; Official controls; Guide; Food safetyAquesta publicació pretén donar una visió general del control oficial dels complements alimentaris a Catalunya mitjançant el recull de les diferents fonts normatives i documentals existents relatives als complements alimentaris, amb la finalitat principal de tenir una eina de suport al personal de l’Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya, així com a altres administracions i professionals del sector. A més, amb l’elaboració d’aquesta guia es vol ajudar a entendre què són els complements alimentaris i donar a conèixer què es fa des de les administracions públiques per mantenir la seguretat alimentària. El document s’estructura en diversos apartats, que inclouen la inscripció al registre sanitari de les empreses que comercialitzen complements alimentaris, la notificació d’aquests complements i la normativa aplicable, sense deixar d’aprofundir en aspectes relacionats amb la composició, l’envasament, l’etiquetatge, els contaminants i els criteris microbiològics. Aquesta guia inclou taules de consulta per identificar els ingredients que intervenen en la composició dels complements alimentaris i un protocol per a la revisió de l’etiquetatge correcte. Índe

El binomi temps/temperatura en la indústria alimentària

Seguretat alimentària; Indústria alimentària; Inactivació tèrmicaSeguridad alimentaria; Industria alimentaria; Inactivación térmicaFood safety; Food industry; Thermal inactivationEl treball presentat per aquesta comunitat de pràctica (CoP) vol ser una eina de suport a l'hora d'avaluar la idoneïtat i l'eficàcia del binomi temps/temperatura que utilitzen les indústries alimentàries en aquelles etapes del procés productiu on aquests paràmetres són rellevants per garantir la seguretat alimentària. La informació ha estat obtinguda pels autors a partir de la recerca bibliogràfica. A mesura que l'equip de treball anava avançant en aquesta recerca , augmentava el ventall dels valors recomanats per les diferents fonts. Aquest ball de xifres es deu, entre d'altres qüestions, a les múltiples combinacions possibles dels valors temps i temperatura, així com als factors a tenir en compte a l'hora d'establir aquests paràmetres per a aconseguir aliments segurs: característiques intrínseques del producte (aw, ph...), condicions d'envasament, patogen que es pretén controlar, vida útil del producte acabat. Així doncs, sovint, la informació continguda en aquest treball haurà de ser interpretada pel lector que haurà de tenir present d'una banda les variables que poden incidir en la determinació del binomi temps/temperatura i, d'altre banda, la no concordança entre el que estableix la normativa vigent i les propostes d'altres fonts.El trabajo presentado por esta comunidad de práctica (CoP) quiere ser una herramienta de apoyo a la hora de evaluar la idoneidad y eficacia del binomio tiempo/temperatura que utilizan las industrias alimentarias en aquellas etapas del proceso productivo donde estos parámetros son relevantes para garantizar la seguridad alimenticia. La información ha sido obtenida por los autores a partir de la búsqueda bibliográfica. A medida que el equipo de trabajo iba avanzando en esta investigación, aumentaba el abanico de los valores recomendados por las distintas fuentes. Este baile de cifras se debe, entre otras cuestiones, a las múltiples combinaciones posibles de los valores tiempo y temperatura, así como a los factores a tener en cuenta a la hora de establecer estos parámetros para conseguir alimentos seguros: características intrínsecas del producto (aw, ph...), condiciones de envasado, patógeno que se pretende controlar, vida útil del producto terminado. Así pues, a menudo, la información contenida en este trabajo deberá ser interpretada por el lector que deberá tener presente por un lado las variables que pueden incidir en la determinación del binomio tiempo/temperatura y, por otro, la no concordancia entre lo que establece la normativa vigente y las propuestas de otras fuentes.The work presented by this community of practice (CoP) aims to be a support tool when evaluating the suitability and effectiveness of the time/temperature binomial used by food industries in those stages of the production process where these parameters are relevant to guarantee the food security. The information has been obtained by the authors from the bibliographic search. As the work team progressed in this investigation, the range of values recommended by different sources increased. This dance of figures is due, among other issues, to the multiple possible combinations of time and temperature values, as well as the factors to be taken into account when establishing these parameters to obtain safe foods: intrinsic characteristics of the product (aw , ph...), packaging conditions, pathogen to be controlled, shelf life of the finished product. Thus, often, the information contained in this work must be interpreted by the reader who must keep in mind, on the one hand, the variables that may affect the determination of the time/temperature binomial and, on the other, the non-concordance between what is established current regulations and proposals from other sources

L'Autocontrol als establiments alimentaris: guia per a l'aplicació de l'autocontrol basat en el Sistema d'Anàlisi de Perills i Punts de Control Crític

Autocontrol; APPCC; Establiments alimentarisAutocontrol; APPCC; Establecimientos alimentariosSelf-control; HACCP; Food EstablishmentsGuía para el diseño y la aplicación por parte de las empresas alimentarias de autocontroles basados en el Sistema de Análisis de Peligros y Puntos de Control Crítico (APPCC) dirigido a los establecimientos alimentarios, su extensión a los sectores que se encuentran al principio de la cadena alimentaria y la formación de todos los profesionales que actúan a lo largo del proceso de obtención de alimentos. Documento elaborado por expertos en el control oficial y en la verificación y la supervisión de sistemas de autocontrol del Departamento de Salud y de la Agencia de Salud Pública de Barcelona. El objetivo es la prevención de riesgos sanitarios asociados el consumo de alimentos y facilitará a los operadores de los establecimientos alimentarios la aplicación real y efectiva de autocontroles basados en el Sistema de APPCC para producir alimentos seguros.Guia per al dissey i l'aplicació per part de les empreses alimentàries d’autocontrols basats en el Sistema d’Anàlisi de Perills i Punts de Control Crític (APPCC) dirigit als establiments alimentaris, la seva extensió als sectors que es troben al principi de la cadena alimentària i la formació de tots els professionals que actuen al llarg del procés d’obtenció d’aliments. Document elaborat per experts en el control oficial i en la verificació i la supervisió de sistemes d’autocontrol del Departament de Salut i de l’Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona. L'objectiu és la prevenció de riscos sanitaris associats al consum d’aliments i facilitarà als operadors dels establiments alimentaris l’aplicació real i efectiva d’autocontrols basats en el Sistema d’APPCC, per tal de produir aliments segurs

Complements alimentaris: control oficial; guia

Complements alimentaris; Control oficial; Guia; Seguretat alimentàriaComplementos alimenticios; Control oficial; Guía; Seguridad alimentariaFood supplements; Official control; Guide; Food safetyAquesta publicació, elaborada per una Comunitat de Pràctica (CoP), pretén donar una visió general del control oficial dels complements alimentaris a Catalunya mitjançant el recull de les diferents fonts normatives i documentals, amb la finalitat principal de tenir una eina de suport per al personal de l’Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya, l’Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona i altres administracions i professionals del sector. A més, amb l’elaboració d’aquesta Guia es vol ajudar a entendre què són els complements alimentaris i donar a conèixer què es fa des de les administracions públiques per controlar i mantenir la seguretat alimentària. El document s’estructura en diversos apartats, que inclouen la inscripció al registre sanitari de les empreses que comercialitzen complements alimentaris i el control oficial, la notificació d’aquests complements i la normativa aplicable, sense deixar d’aprofundir en aspectes relacionats amb la composició, l’envasament, l’etiquetatge, els contaminants i els criteris microbiològics. Aquesta Guia es complementa amb un altre document Annex amb les taules de consulta per identificar els ingredients que intervenen en la composició dels complements alimentaris i un protocol per a la revisió de l’etiquetatge.Esta publicación, elaborada por una Comunidad de Práctica (CoP), pretende dar una visión general del control oficial de los complementos alimenticios en Cataluña mediante la recopilación de las diferentes fuentes normativas y documentales, con la finalidad principal de tener una herramienta de apoyo para el personal de la Agencia de Salud Pública de Cataluña, la Agencia de Salud Pública de Barcelona y otras administraciones y profesionales del sector. Además, con la elaboración de esta Guía se quiere ayudar a entender qué son los complementos alimenticios y dar a conocer qué se hace desde las administraciones públicas para controlar y mantener la seguridad alimentaria. El documento se estructura en varios apartados, que incluyen la inscripción en el registro sanitario de las empresas que comercializan complementos alimenticios y el control oficial, la notificación de estos complementos y la normativa aplicable, sin dejar de profundizar en aspectos relacionados con la composición , el envasado, etiquetado, contaminantes y criterios microbiológicos. Esta Guía se complementa con otro documento Anexo con las tablas de consulta para identificar los ingredientes que intervienen en la composición de los complementos alimenticios y un protocolo para la revisión del etiquetado.This publication, prepared by a Community of Practice (CoP), aims to give an overview of the official control of food supplements in Catalonia by compiling the different regulatory and documentary sources, with the main purpose of having a support tool for the staff of the Public Health Agency of Catalonia, the Public Health Agency of Barcelona and other administrations and professionals in the sector. Furthermore, with the preparation of this Guide we want to help understand what food supplements are and make known what public administrations do to control and maintain food safety. The document is structured in several sections, which include the registration in the health registry of companies that market food supplements and the official control, the notification of these supplements and the applicable regulations, while continuing to delve into aspects related to the composition, the packaging, labeling, contaminants and microbiological criteria. This Guide is complemented by another Annex document with reference tables to identify the ingredients involved in the composition of food supplements and a protocol for labeling review

Short communication: The biological value of transition milk: analyses of immunoglobulin G, IGF-I and lactoferrin in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows

Colostrum (the first mammary gland secretion after calving) is known to contain high concentrations of nutrients as well as bioactive substances (including immunoglobulins, growth factors, and antimicrobial factors) to ensure neonatal survival. Due to its immunomodulatory, antibacterial, and antiviral activities, bovine colostrum has been used not only in calves but also in the prevention and treatment of human gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. Transition milk is the mammary secretion from the second milking to the sixth, which may contain these bioactive compounds to a lesser extent. The objective of the present study was to measure IGF-I, immunoglobulin G (IgG), and lactoferrin (LTF) concentrations in colostrum and transition milk of primiparous and multiparous cows to further assess its potential use in veterinary and nutraceutical applications. The results demonstrated that the concentrations of these three bioactive molecules decrease from the first milking to the tenth. Concentrations of IGF-I and LTF were greater in multiparous than in primiparous cows. Also, lactation number interacted with milking number in IGF-I, since primiparous cows had a smoother decline of IGF-I concentrations than multiparous ones. Overall, transition milk from the second milking showed a 46% decrease in the analysed colostrum bioactive molecules. Therefore, further studies are needed to apply this knowledge in neonate farm management practices or in developing pharmaceutical supplements from farm surpluses

Portable low-cost electronic nose based on surface acoustic wave sensors for the detection of BTX vapors in air

A portable electronic nose based on surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors is proposed in this work to detect toxic chemicals, which have a great potential to threaten the surrounding natural environment or adversely affect the health of people. We want to emphasize that ferrite nanoparticles, decorated (Au, Pt, Pd) and undecorated, have been used as sensitive coatings for the first time in these types of sensors. Furthermore, the proposed electronic nose incorporates signal conditioning and acquisition and transmission modules. The electronic nose was tested to low concentrations of benzene, toluene, and xylene, exhibiting excellent performance in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, and response time, indicating its potential as a monitoring system that can contribute to the detection of toxic compounds.This work was supported by the Fundación General CSIC via Programa ComFuturo and the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities under the projects RTI2018-095856-B-C22 (AEI/FEDER) and TEC2016-79898-C6 (AEI/FEDER).Peer reviewe