Potential use of cyclodextrin-glycosyltransferase enzyme in bread-making and the development of gluten-free breads with pinion and corn flours

Abstract

Gluten-free breads are an alternative for celiacs but are characterized by deficient sensory qualities compared with traditional breads. This work aimed to incorporate a commercial CGTase enzyme and the CGTase produced by Bacillus firmus strain 37 in the production of these breads to overcome these drawbacks. The flours employed were corn and pinion flours, which had the best CD production by CGTase, and exhibited good antioxidant activity, respectively. Rice flour was used as a control. The addition of the CGTase enzyme increased the specific volume and improved the texture of the breads. In the sensory analyses, the best score given by non-celiacs was for bread with pinion and rice flours and CGTase from B. firmus strain 37, while celiacs awarded the best score to the bread with rice flour only and same enzyme. The results demonstrate an improvement in the sensory and technological characteristics of gluten-free breads using the CGTase enzyme.     

Gluten-free bread formulated with Prosopis ruscifolia (vinal) seed and corn flours

Abstract

Vinal (Prosopis ruscifolia) is a wild leguminous tree found widely in the north of Argentina. Like other Prosopis, vinal can grow under extreme temperatures, in poor soils and can tolerate high saline conditions. Taking into account the high protein and gums contents of vinal seeds, a gluten-free bread was developed including them and corn flour. A central composite design involving vinal seed flour/corn starch ratio (X1) and corn flour/corn starch ratio (X2) was used, and second-order models for specific volume (Y1) and bread score (Y2), evaluated by an expert panel, were employed to generate response surfaces. In the optimum zone of response surfaces, a product with higher protein content (5.2 g/100 g) than gluten-free breads found in local commercial markets was obtained. Also, an interesting antioxidant activity (115 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/100 g) was found in optimized gluten-free bread.     

Dose-Escalating (50–500 mg) Gluten Administration Leads to Detectable Gluten-Immunogenic-Peptides in Urine of Patients with Coeliac Disease Which Is Unrelated to Symptoms,a Placebo Controlled Trial

Background: To determine the applicability and sensitivity of a urine self-test to detect gluten-immunogenic-peptides (GIP) in daily-life for patients with coeliac disease and correlate the test results with reported symptoms. Methods: We performed a prospective double-blinded placebo-controlled study, including adults with coeliac disease adhering to a strictly gluten-free diet. Patients were administered gluten in test-cycles of ascending doses of 50, 100, 200, and 500 mg alternated with placebo. Urine portions from 2, 5–17 h after the ingestion were collected and analyzed for GIP using the iVYCHECK-GIP-Urine rapid lateral flow test. Patients completed a diary mapping symptoms (nausea, bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lower level of energy). Results: We enrolled 15 patients and 7 received all 4 cycles with increasing gluten dosing. GIP was detected from urine in 47% of the patients receiving 50 mg gluten and in 86% with 500 mg gluten. We detected GIP in 20–50% of urine samples after placebo. There was no correlation between symptoms, gluten administration and/or GIP in urine. Conclusions: Gluten intake, even with a dose as low as 50 mg, leads to detectable urinary GIP concentrations. There is no correlation of coeliac disease ascribed symptoms with detection of urinary GIP.     

Analysis of Robusta coffee cultivated in agroforestry systems (AFS) by ESI-FT-ICR MS and portable NIR associated with sensory analysis

Electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI(±)FT-ICR MS) and portable micro near-infrared spectroscopy (microNIR), coupled to sensory analysis, were used to propose a new analytical methodology to observe the characteristics of Robusta coffees cultivated in agroforestry systems (AFS). Principal component analysis (PCA) chemometric models provided excellent discrimination of the samples analyzed by ESI(±)FT-ICR mass spectra for the ground coffee grains. Analysis of the spectra allowed for identification of the compounds responsible for distinguishing the samples grown with different intercropping AFS species. The microNIR results corroborated the ESI(-)FT-ICR MS data and the sensory analysis, by grouping together coffees grown in AFS intercropped with Gliricidia sepium and Inga edulis. The coupling of these analytical techniques shows promise in coffee quality control, presenting advantages such as collection at point analysis, speed, and analytical reliability.     

一起气溶胶暴露引起人感染H5N6禽流感病毒的流行病学调查

目的 分析1例由气溶胶暴露引起人感染H5N6禽流感病毒病例的发生和传播途径，为人禽流感防控提供依据。方法 对病例开展流行病学调查，明确病例暴露史及感染途径，追踪病例病情进展与转归。对病例、密切接触者、病家环境、禽类交易市场环境标本进行核酸检测。结果 病例无活禽、禽类交易市场暴露史，发病前1 d具有禽类临时存放密闭狭小环境气溶胶暴露史。病例下呼吸道提取物及病家冰箱剩余冷冻鸡块表面涂抹标本检出H5N6禽流感核酸阳性。结论 病例感染来源为批发市场购买的活禽，禽类临时存放密闭狭小环境气溶胶暴露可能为其感染途径。应在广州市范围推进"集中屠宰、冷链配送、生鲜上市"，加强健康宣教，树立消费生鲜禽肉的观念。     

Prevalence of symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and of fluorescent antinuclear antibodies associated with chronic exposure to trichloroethylene and other chemicals in well water.

Criteria for the recognition of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were applied to 362 subjects exposed to trichloroethylene, trichloroethane, inorganic chromium, and other chemicals in water obtained from wells in an industrially contaminated aquifer in Tucson, Arizona. Their antinuclear autoantibodies were measured by fluorescence (FANA) in serum. Ten patients with clinical SLE and/or other collagen-vascular diseases were considered separately. Results were compared to an Arizona control group, to published series, and to laboratory controls. Frequencies of each of 10 ARA symptoms were higher in exposed subjects than in any comparison group except those with clinical SLE. The number of subjects than in any comparison group except those with clinical SLE. The number of subjects with 4 or more symptoms was 2.3 times higher compared to referent women and men. FANA titers greater than 1:80 was approximately 2.3 times higher in women but equally frequent in men as in laboratory controls. ARA score and FANA rank were correlated with a coefficient (cc) of .1251, r2 = .0205 (p less than 0.036) in women and this correlation was almost statistically significant in men cc = .1282, r2 = .0253 (p less than 0.059). In control men and women neither correlation was significant. Long-term low-dose exposure to TCE and other chemicals in contaminated well water significantly increased symptoms of lupus erythematosus as perceived by the ARA score and the increased FANA titers.     

Prevalence of serum neutralizing antibodies to adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) and 41 (Ad41) in children is associated with age and sanitary conditions

Neutralizing antibody (NAb) can dampen the immunogenicity of adenovirus (Ad) vector-based vaccine. Vector systems based on human adenovirus type 41 (Ad41) have been constructed and used to develop recombinant vaccines. Here, we attempted to study the seroprevalence of NAbs to Ad5 and Ad41 among children and adults in Qinghai province, China. The positive rates (titer ⩾ 40) of Ad5 and Ad41 NAb in adults from Xining city were 75.7% and 94.7%, respectively. The moderate/high-positive rates (titer ⩾ 160) of NAb were quite close between the two viruses in adults (70.4% for Ad5 and 73.5% for Ad41). Age-dependent increase of NAb seroprevalence was observed for both viruses in children. NAb-positive rate of Ad41 reached 50% at 3.3–4.6 years of age for children from Chengxi district, Xining city, approximately 1.5 years earlier than that of Ad5 did. Interestingly, NAb level was also associated with sanitary conditions among young children. For Ad5, 8–15% children (0.2–3.0 years of age) from city or town, where the sanitations were relatively better, had moderate/high-positive NAb, while the same rate was 62% for children from villages. For Ad41, 22% children from city, 47% from town and 88% from villages possessed moderate/high-positive NAb. The possible influence of NAb titer distributions on the application of Ad41-vectored vaccines was discussed in detail. Our results suggested that children from places with poor sanitations should be included for comprehensive Ad NAb seroprevalence studies, and provided insights to the applications of Ad41 vectors.     

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake among a community-recruited sample of gay,bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in the three largest cities in Canada from 2017 to 2019

IntroductionIn 2015/2016, Canada’s largest provinces implemented publicly-funded human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programs for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) ≤ 26 years old. We sought to describe HPV vaccine uptake among GBM and determine barriers and facilitators to vaccine initiation with a focus on healthcare access and utilization.MethodsEngage is a cohort study among GBM aged 16 + years in three Canadian cities recruited from 2017 to 2019 via respondent driven sampling (RDS). Men completed a comprehensive questionnaire at baseline. By publicly-funded vaccine eligibility (≤26 years old = eligible for vaccination, ≥27 years old = ineligible), we described HPV vaccine uptake (initiation = 1 + dose, completion = 3 doses) and explored factors associated with vaccine initiation using Poisson regression. All analyses were weighted with the RDS-II Volz-Heckathorn estimator.ResultsAcross the three cities, 26–35% and 14–21% of men ≤ 26 years and 7–26% and 2–9% of men ≥ 27 years initiated and completed HPV vaccination, respectively. Vaccine initiation was significantly associated with STI/HIV testing or visiting a HIV care specialist in the past six months (≤26: prevalence ratio[PR] = 2.15, 95% confidence interval[CI] 1.06–4.36; ≥27: PR = 2.73, 95%CI 1.14–6.51) and past hepatitis A or B vaccination (≤26: PR = 2.88, 95%CI 1.64–5.05; ≥27: PR = 2.03, 95%CI 1.07–3.86). Among men ≥ 27 years old, vaccine initiation was also positively associated with accessing PrEP, living in Vancouver or Toronto, but negatively associated with identifying as Latin American and increasing age. Vaccine initiation was twice as likely among men ≥ 27 years with private insurance versus no insurance.ConclusionsSixty-five to 74% of men eligible for publicly-funded vaccine across the three cities remained unvaccinated against HPV by 2019. High vaccine cost may partly explain even lower uptake among men ≥ 27 years old. Men seeking sexual health care were more likely to initiate vaccination; bundling vaccination with these services may help improve HPV vaccine uptake.     

阿德福韦酯相关位点预存病毒变异的病原学及临床特征分析

目的了解慢性乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染者抗病毒治疗前阿德福韦酯(ADV)相关位点预存病毒变异的发生情况以及临床特点。方法采用基因测序的方法对211例拟行抗病毒治疗的慢性HBV感染者的血清样本进行P区病毒基因测序,同时检测HBV基因型、HBV血清学标志物、HBV DNA等。依据病毒检测结果分为预存病毒变异组和无变异组。结果 211例慢性HBV感染者中,检测出ADV预存病毒变异9例(4.27%),其中4例有不规范的核苷(酸)类似物用药史(ADV除外),变异位点以rtN238T为主(44.44%),且以多个位点变异(55.56%)、完全变异株和野生株共存(88.89%)为主;预存病毒变异组中男性及终末期肝病的构成比均高于无变异组(P<0.05,P<0.001);预存病毒变异组的年龄为(45.9±10.5)岁,无变异组为(35.6±10.2)岁(t=2.978,P=0.003);两组的HBV基因型构成、E抗原阳性状态及HBV DNA水平比较差异均无统计学意义。结论在未经ADV抗病毒治疗的慢性HBV感染者中存在ADV相关位点预存病毒变异,并可能与患者不规范应用抗病毒药物有关;HBV感染史较长、病情持续进展以及男性患者易出现ADV相关位点预存病毒变异;患者应该接受和执行规范的抗病毒治疗,以达到预防病毒变异,从而避免挽救治疗。     

Identifying factors associated with treatment delay in leptospirosis: A retrospective study of patients admitted to hospital in Reunion (Indian Ocean) between 2014 and 2015

BackgroundLeptospirosis is a life-threatening zoonotic disease for which delayed treatment onset has been associated to poor prognosis. The purpose of the study was to identify the determinants of therapeutic delay in hospitalized leptospirosis cases.Patients and methodsWe carried out a retrospective multicenter study in the 4 public hospitals of Reunion Island, South Western Indian Ocean. Medical records of confirmed leptospirosis cases occurring in 2014–2015 were reviewed for socio-economic, demographic, geographic and medical data. The primary outcome measure was the therapeutic delay, defined as the time elapsed between the onset of symptoms and initiation of antibiotics.ResultsOf the 117 patients included, 107 were men, with an average age of 44.9 ± 15 years. The median therapeutic delay was 4 days (interquartile: 2–5 days) and this delay was not found to be associated with severity. The following were found to be at increased risk of having a longer therapeutic delay: cases occurring outside the epidemic period, or rainy season (OR 2.8 [1.08–7.3], P = 0.04) and cases with first medical evaluation in primary health care (OR 4.63 [1.43–14.93]; P = 0.01) instead of emergency unit. No socio-economic or geographic characteristics were found to be linked to a longer therapeutic delay.ConclusionAlthough delayed treatment was not associated to disease severity, our results indicate that leptospirosis awareness is needed all year in the subtropical area of Reunion Island and particularly in primary care.     

Identification of a functional polymorphism at the adipose fatty acid binding protein gene (FABP4) and demonstration of its association with cardiovascular disease: a path to follow

Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) are proteins that reversibly bind fatty acids and other lipids. So far, nine tissue-specific cytoplasmic FABPs have been identified. Adipose tissue FABP (FABP4) has been suggested to be a bridge between inflammation and other pathways related to the metabolic syndrome. In this regard, genetic variability at the FABP4 locus has been shown to be associated with plasma lipid levels, type 2 diabetes, and coronary heart disease risk.     

Assessing the impact of confounding (measured and unmeasured) in a case-control study to examine the increased risk of pandemic A/H1N1 associated with receipt of the 2008-9 seasonal influenza vaccine

Background

This study examines the role of measured and unmeasured confounding in the relationship between the 2008-9 seasonal influenza vaccine and pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) influenza virus.

Methods

Data were taken from a test-negative case-control study of 462 lab confirmed pandemic A/H1N1 (pH1N1) cases and 484 test-negative controls. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived using multivariate logistic regression. The analysis was repeated using propensity matching. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to quantify the impact of a hypothetical unmeasured confounder.

Results

Cases were more likely to have received the seasonal influenza vaccine after adjusting for multiple confounders using multivariate regression (OR 1.82, 95% CI: 1.25-2.65), using propensity matching (OR 1.86, 95% CI: 1.19-2.92) and in subsequent sensitivity analyses. An unmeasured confounder would need a prevalence of 20%, an odds ratio with the vaccine and pH1N1 of ≥3.5 and ≥3.0 (respectively) to result in a non-significant association. Using a prevalence of 40% the respective associations were 3.0 and 2.5.

Conclusion

A significant positive association between the seasonal influenza vaccine and lab confirmed pH1N1 was observed after considering multiple confounders and using different methods for confounder adjustment. This was not likely explained by an unmeasured confounder given the prevalence and strength of association needed to result in a non-significant association.     

A Phase III,multicenter, randomized,double-blind,active comparator-controlled study to evaluate the safety,tolerability, and immunogenicity of V114 compared with PCV13 in healthy infants (PNEU-PED-EU-1)

BackgroundV114 (15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine [PCV]) contains all serotypes in 13-valent PCV (PCV13) and additional serotypes 22F and 33F. This study evaluated safety and immunogenicity of V114 compared with PCV13 in healthy infants, and concomitant administration with DTPa–HBV–IPV/Hib and rotavirus RV1 vaccines.MethodsV114 and PCV13 were administered in a 2+1 schedule at 2, 4, and 11–15 months of age. Adverse events (AEs) were collected on Days 1–14 following each vaccination. Serotype-specific anti-pneumococcal immunoglobulin G (IgG) was measured 30 days post-primary series (PPS), immediately prior to a toddler dose, and 30 days post-toddler dose (PTD). Primary objectives included non-inferiority of V114 to PCV13 for 13 shared serotypes and superiority of V114 to PCV13 for the two additional serotypes.Results1184 healthy infants 42–90 days of age were randomized 1:1 to V114 (n = 591) or PCV13 (n = 593). Proportions of participants with solicited AEs and serious AEs were comparable between vaccination groups. V114 met pre-specified non-inferiority criteria for all 13 shared serotypes, based on the difference in proportions of participants with serotype-specific IgG concentrations ≥0.35 μg/mL (response rate; lower bound of two-sided 95% confidence interval [CI] >−10.0) and IgG geometric mean concentration (GMC) ratios (lower bound of two-sided 95% CI >0.5), and pre-specified superiority criteria for serotypes 22F and 33F (lower bound of two-sided 95% CI >10.0 for response rates and >2.0 for GMC ratios). Antibody responses to DTPa–HBV–IPV/Hib and RV1 vaccines met pre-specified non-inferiority criteria, based on antigen-specific response rates to DTPa–HBV–IPV/Hib and anti-rotavirus IgA geometric mean titers.ConclusionsAfter a 2+1 schedule, V114 elicited non-inferior immune responses to 13 shared serotypes and superior responses to the two additional serotypes compared with PCV13, with comparable safety profile. These results support the routine use of V114 in infants.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04031846; EudraCT: 2018-003787-31