Use of Cold Plasma To Inactivate Escherichia coli and Physicochemical Evaluation in Pumpkin Puree.

This work aimed to study the pumpkin puree processing by cold plasma corona discharge as an alternative to heat treatment to reduce Escherichia coli contamination and evaluate physicochemical alterations, using argon (Ar) as the process gas. The treatment time to verify E. coli inactivation was between 2 and 20 min, while physicochemical alterations were analyzed at 5, 10, 15, and 20 min. Cold plasma corona discharge technology to inactivate E. coli proved to be promising, reaching 3.62 log cycles of reduction at 20 min of treatment. The inactivation kinectics showed a tendency of higher decrease with time. Physicochemical characteristics indicate that plasma induces a decrease of pH; however, there is an indication that process gases have an important role and react with the environment and procedure reactive species. This technology may reduce the total carotenoid content of pumpkin puree and in color, mainly the a* parameter, which showed great reduction.

Biodiesel production using fatty acids from food industry waste using corona discharge plasma technology.

This article aims to describe an alternative and innovative methodology to transform waste, frying oil in a potential energy source, the biodiesel. The biodiesel was produced from fatty acids, using a waste product of the food industry as the raw material. The methodology to be described is the corona discharge plasma technology, which offers advantages such as acceleration of the esterification reaction, easy separation of the biodiesel and the elimination of waste generation. The best conditions were found to be an oil/methanol molar ratio of 6:1, ambient temperature (25 °C) and reaction time of 110 min and 30 mL of sample. The acid value indicates the content of free fatty acids in the biodiesel and the value obtained in this study was 0.43 mg KOH/g. Peaks corresponding to octadecadienoic acid methyl ester, octadecanoic acid methyl ester and octadecenoic acid methyl ester, from the biodiesel composition, were identified using GC-MS. A major advantage of this process is that the methyl ester can be obtained in the absence of chemical catalysts and without the formation of the co-product (glycerin).

Immunohistochemical expression of stem cell markers in pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas is associated with SDHx mutations.

OBJECTIVE: Pheochromocytomas (PCCs) are neuroendocrine tumors that occur in the adrenal medulla, whereas paragangliomas (PGLs) arise from paraganglia in the head, neck, thorax, or abdomen. In a variety of tumors, cancer cells with stem cell-like properties seem to form the basis of tumor initiation because of their ability to self-renew and proliferate. Specifically targeting this small cell population may lay the foundation for more effective therapeutic approaches. In the present study, we intended to identify stem cells in PCCs/PGLs. DESIGN: We examined the immunohistochemical expression of 11 stem cell markers (SOX2, LIN28, NGFR, THY1, PREF1, SOX17, NESTIN, CD117, OCT3/4, NANOG, and CD133) on tissue microarrays containing 208 PCCs/PGLs with different genetic backgrounds from five European centers. RESULTS: SOX2, LIN28, NGFR, and THY1 were expressed in more than 10% of tumors, and PREF1, SOX17, NESTIN, and CD117 were expressed in <10% of the samples. OCT3/4, NANOG, and CD133 were not detectable at all. Double staining for chromogranin A/SOX2 and S100/SOX2 demonstrated SOX2 immunopositivity in both tumor and adjacent sustentacular cells. The expression of SOX2, SOX17, NGFR, LIN28, PREF1, and THY1 was significantly associated with mutations in one of the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) genes. In addition, NGFR expression was significantly correlated with metastatic disease. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical expression of stem cell markers was found in a subset of PCCs/PGLs. Further studies are required to validate whether some stem cell-associated markers, such as SOX2, could serve as targets for therapeutic approaches and whether NGFR expression could be utilized as a predictor of malignancy.

High frequency and founder effect of the CYP3A4*20 loss-of-function allele in the Spanish population classifies CYP3A4 as a polymorphic enzyme.

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is a key drug-metabolizing enzyme. Loss-of-function variants have been reported as rare events, and the first demonstration of a CYP3A4 protein lacking functional activity is caused by CYP3A4*20 allele. Here we characterized the world distribution and origin of CYP3A4*20 mutation. CYP3A4*20 was determined in more than 4000 individuals representing different populations, and haplotype analysis was performed using CYP3A polymorphisms and microsatellite markers. CYP3A4*20 allele was present in 1.2% of the Spanish population (up to 3.8% in specific regions), and all CYP3A4*20 carriers had a common haplotype. This is compatible with a Spanish founder effect and classifies CYP3A4 as a polymorphic enzyme. This constitutes the first description of a CYP3A4 loss-of-function variant with high frequency in a population. CYP3A4*20 results together with the key role of CYP3A4 in drug metabolism support screening for rare CYP3A4 functional alleles among subjects with adverse drug events in certain populations.

Evidence for widespread Leishmania infantum infection among wild carnivores in L. infantum periendemic northern Spain.

Leishmania spp. infection was investigated in tissue samples of wild carnivores from the Spanish Basque Country (BC), by PCR and DNA sequencing. The region is at the northern periphery of Leishmania infantum endemic Iberian Peninsula and infection in the dog (reservoir) or other species has not been previously reported. Leishmania kinetoplast DNA was detected by real-time PCR (rtPCR) in 28% (44/156) of animals. Specifically, in 26% of Eurasian badgers (n=53), 29% of foxes (n=48), 29% of stone martens (n=21) and in 25-50% of less numerous species including genets, wild cats, pole cats, European mink and weasels. Infected animals particularly badgers, were most prevalent in the southernmost province of the BC (Araba) in areas dominated by arable land. Subsequent amplification and sequencing of a fragment of the rRNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) from a subset of rtPCR positives samples confirmed the species as L. infantum, showing a high sequence homogeneity with ITS2 sequences of L. infantum from dogs and humans from southern Spain. In summary, this study reports for the first time L. infantum infection in wild carnivores from the BC including in stone martens, pole cats and minks in which infection has not been previously described. It supports the need to study infection in dogs and people in this region and is an example of the value of infection surveillance in wildlife to assess potential risks in the domestic environment and their role in spreading infections in non-endemic areas.

["Evaluating health workshops": the experience of health education committees in the Pays de la Loire region]. / "Qu'est-ce qu'un atelier santé"? L'expérience des Comités d'Education pour la Santé des Pays de la Loire.

The five health promotion and education committees (CODES) from the Pays de la Loire region are carrying out health promotion projects involving socially disadvantaged people. These projects are referred to as ateliers santé (literally meaning "health workshops"). These interventions are conducted over a series of participatory sessions, which creates a more supportive structure to guide people with difficulties assisting them to better recognise and formulate their health needs, as they are normally part of a population group which is neither accustomed to expressing their health needs nor to being heard on this subject. At present little is known about these projects; therefore the Inter-regional and departmental health education committee from Nantes chose to carry out an evaluation of 7 of the 47 existing "workshops". Each one of the seven interventions required an average of 31 hours of preparation. Overall, there were 9 sessions organised with 8 to 9 participants, each lasting for the duration of 2.5 hours, held over a period of 32 weeks. At the end of each session, 85% of the participants claimed that there were satisfied. When questioned six months after the end of their "workshop", half of the 37 participants reported that their perceived health status was a little or much better after having taken part in the process. The evaluation demonstrates that a more clear definition of the operational objectives is necessary in order to promote increased input from the participants and to clarify the intentions of the project team towards a population group which needs a means by which it can enter into this critical debate. The process appears to be in accordance with the criteria and goals of health promotion: negotiation of the content, participation of members of the target audience throughout various stages of the project, and adjustment of the size and scale of the project being to involve a small total number of participants in order to favour effective follow up. Although evaluating the effectiveness and impact of such interventions is difficult and complicated by complex methodological questions, these "workshops" seem to have been greatly appreciated both by those who requested them and those who participated in them, with encouraging results having been witnessed in the lives of certain participants, which all serves as an incentive to pursue this kind of project.

[Role of spleen cells in protection against malaria]. / Rôle des cellules de la rate dans la protection contre le paludisme.

IMMUNITY: The anti-infectious effect of the spleen in general and its anti-malarial effect has been known for a long time. This effect is associated, among other functions, with the spleen's capacity to filter and destroy erythrocytes parasitized by plasmodies or altered by various physical (heat...) or chemical factors. In addition, splenic immunity, which associates specific and nonspecific humoral and cellular effector mechanisms is no longer a question of debate. OPEN QUESTIONS: There remains nevertheless one aspect of the question to be elucidated: the probable interaction between this immunity and other (genetic...) factors of the malarious host. CELL FUNCTIONS: This article summarizes current knowledge in connection with: a) participation of various cell populations in the mechanisms of splenic filtration and phagocytosis and b) genesis of a repertory of B and T lymphocytes, plasmodio-specific memory cells. During an infection, lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages are recruited from peripheral blood and, in cooperation with cells known as "barrier" cells, increase the capacity of splenic filtration/purge and phagocytosis. In addition, the appearance of B and T lymphocytes with specific memory of P. falciparum result from hypermutation in VH genes (for B lymphocytes) or from clonal selection (for T lymphocytes). The folicular dendritic cells accomplish a reserve function. By constantly releasing the antigen, these cells would contribute to maintaining immune memory or to stimulating naive cells. Further studies are necessary to better understand the role of the splenic microcirculation and to identify parasite components which stimulate the protective response of the spleen against plasmodies.

Valuation of consumption and sale of forest goods from a Central American rain forest

Researchers recognize that society needs accurate and comprehensive estimates of the economic value of rain forests to assess conservation and management options. Valuation of forests can help us to decide whether to implement policies that reconcile the value different groups attach to forests. Here we have measured the value of the rain forest to local populations by monitoring the foods, construction and craft materials, and medicines consumed or sold from the forest by 32 Indian households in two villages in Honduras over 2.5 years. We have directly measured the detailed, comprehensive consumption patterns of rain forest products by an indigenous population and the value of that consumption in local markets. The combined value of consumption and sale of forest goods ranged from US$17.79 to US$23.72 per hectare per year, at the lower end of previous estimates (between US$49 and US$1,089 (mean US$347) per hectare per year). Although outsiders value the rain forest for its high-use and non-use values, local people receive a small share of the total value. Unless rural people are paid for the non-local values of rain forests, they may be easily persuaded to deforest.

Cytokines and T-cell response in malaria.

The intracellular protozoan Plasmodium sp induces a complex immune response which sometimes implies serious pathological effects for the host. According to in vitro studies and epidemiological surveys, several effector mechanisms are displayed against plasmodial blood stages and a large interaction between humoral and cell-mediated immunity is presumed to occur among protected individuals. The key role of T cells in the antiplasmodial immune response is now well established, but all the regulatory heterogenous mechanisms are not yet fully known. An increasing body of data shows a dual role during malaria attack for some cytokines released by monocytes and macrophages (TNF, IL-1, IL-6) or by T cells (IFN-gamma, lymphotoxin (LT), IL-4). The importance of some plasmodial proteins in the cytokine-induced pathology and the stimulation of a preferential TH1 or TH2 mediated immune response to achieve protective immunity against Plasmodium sp are discussed.

[Cell-mediated immunity and protection against blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum]. / Immunité à médiation cellulaire et protection contre les stades sanguins de Plasmodium falciparum.

In recent years, cell-mediated immunity against malaria has been the subject of intensive investigation either in humans from malaria endemic areas, or experimental models. Cellular immune mechanisms have been regarded as secondary to humoral immunity but, there is increasing evidence that shows its critical role in protection against blood stage plasmodium parasites. In the context of a large humoral-cellular interaction, T helper lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages may play a key role in the elimination of plasmodial blood stages, particularly P. falciparum. IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IFN-gamma cytokines secreted principally by CD4+ T lymphocytes and oxygen and nitrogen radicals produced by activated macrophages, are involved in the control of plasmodial infection. The spleen also plays a very important function in the anti-malarial protection by its increased capacity for filtration/destruction of parasitized red blood cells and by induction of B and T memory lymphocytes. Successful vaccination against malaria needs a choice of plasmodial antigens or B and T immunodominants epitopes able to stimulate plasmodium-specific lymphocytes and functional modification in the spleen.

[Soluble antigens of intra-erythrocyte stages of Plasmodium falciparum: diagnostic and vaccinal value]. / Les antigènes solubles des stades intra-érythrocytaires de Plasmodium falciparum: intérêt diagnostique et vaccinal.

A wide variety of soluble antigens also called exoantigens or excretory-secretory antigens are released by asexual blood stages of P. falciparum at the time of schizont burst and subsequent merozoite invasion. At present, most of these soluble malarial proteins have been purified and have had their genes cloned; the primary sequence displays considerable polymorphism upon tandem repeats. However, its function and the relevance of the polymorphism for the induction of host immune response, predominantly IgM and T-cell-independent type, has yet to be determined. The potential of P. falciparum exoantigens as immunodiagnostic tools has been the focus of numerous studies. Enzyme immunoassays or radioimmunoassays for the detection of malarial antigens in blood of suspected peoples have been reported. Their development requires increasing both specificity and sensitivity. Recently, some P. falciparum exoantigens have been proposed as candidates for inclusion in an anti-disease vaccine which induces a clinical but not parasiticidal immunity against malaria. There is much interest in this concept and their efficiency remains to be confirmed, as new strategies are needed in the prevention of malaria.

Factors affecting dystocia and early calf mortality in Angus cows and heifers.

Calving performance records (965,417) from purebred American Angus herds throughout the United States were used to study dystocia and early calf mortality during the period from 1972 to 1985. A sample of 53 (n = 83,467) herds was used to establish reasonable limits on the expected frequency of dystocia and mortality within and among herds that have good reproductive management programs and to verify the frequencies of scores in all other herds (n = 4,130) reporting calving performance information. The data were analyzed by logistic regression models. Dystocia and perinatal mortality, to a lesser extent, were found to be more frequent in heifers than in cows. The odds of unassisted births vs births with major difficulty were 11.58 times greater in cows than in heifers. In heifers, the odds of an unassisted birth increased with age of dam and decreased with birth weight of calf. At a baseline age of 22 mo the odds of an unassisted birth for calves weighing 30 and 40 kg were .13 and .02 times lower than the odds for calves weighing 20 kg. Alternately, at 29 mo, the odds of an unassisted birth for heifers producing a 20-kg calf were 4.53 times greater than at 22 mo. Survival of calves to 24 h in heifers was primarily affected by birth weight. Heifers producing calves at intermediate weights of 29 kg had higher odds of producing live calves at all ages. Considering all heifers calving at 22 to 29 mo relative to 20-kg calves, the odds for survival to 24 h were 3.83 times greater for 29-kg calves and lower by a factor of .52 for 40-kg calves.

Study of humoral immune response in mammals immunized with Plasmodium falciparum antigenic preparations.

Six Plasmodium falciparum protein fractions, isolated under reducing conditions, were used to immunize mice, rabbits and the squirrel monkey Saimiri sciureus. Five or seven subcutaneous injections of each antigenic preparation, in conjunction with Freund's complete or incomplete adjuvants, were administered. This led to the development of specific antibodies detected by IFAT, ELISA or immunoblotting which inhibited merozoite reinvasion in in vitro P. falciparum cultures. This activity seems to be associated with rhoptry proteins contained in fractions Pf F2 and Pf F4.

Genetic parameters for calving ease and survival at birth in Angus field data.

Calving performance records from the American Angus Herd Improvement Registry files were used to estimate variance components for calving ease and survival to 24 h. Genetic parameters for direct and maternal effects were estimated by using a sire-maternal grandsire model. Data included two independent samples of 19 and 34 herds with complete calving information. Maternal variance for calving ease was much larger than the variance for the direct effect of the sire. Maternal heritability for calving ease was .27 and .20 in the two samples of herds, respectively. Heritabilities for direct effects were .21 and .07. The genetic correlations between direct and maternal effects were -.93 and -.80. There was little genetic variation in survival at birth. Parameter estimates were within the allowable parameter space in the sample of 19 herds. Heritability for the direct effect of the sire on survival was .04. Maternal heritability was .09, and the direct-maternal correlation was -.85.