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• We present a new instrumented wheelchair racing wheel. • It is the first to measure 3D kinetics wirelessly at a high frequency of 2500 Hz. • It was tested with a world-class athlete during max acceleration up to max speed. • The total force increased with speed but not the tangential force. • At higher speeds, the force was counterproductive at the beginning and end of the push. In wheelchair racing, measuring pushrim kinetics such as propulsion forces and moments is paramount for improving performance and preventing injuries. However, there is currently no instrumented racing wheel that records 3D pushrim kinetics wirelessly and at a high sample rate, which is necessary for accurately analysing wheelchair racing biomechanics. In this work, we present an instrumented wheel that measures 3D kinetics at 2500 Hz. Bidirectional wireless communication is used to interface the wheel through a smart phone. The wheel was tested with a world-class racing athlete who propelled at maximal acceleration and maximal speed on a training roller. During acceleration, the peak total force increased continuously from 186 N to 484 N while the peak tangential force was constant at 171 N ± 15 N. At higher speeds, a counterproductive tangential force was measured during the first 15% and the last 25% of the push phase, peaking at -78 N. This wheel may be of great value for both coaches and athletes to help with planning and validating training programs and adaptations to the wheelchair such as positioning. This wheel also has very high potential for further research on wheelchair racing biomechanics and on preventing shoulder pathologies associated with this sport. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Mango water extract had the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. • Orange and mango water extracts decreased the highest levels of NO. • Mango water extract stimulated the folate production by the co-culture TH-4 and LGG. • All fruit by-product water extracts increased LGG adhesion to Caco-2 cells. Abstract Fibre content, phenolic content, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated for water extracts of fruit by-products (passion fruit, orange, acerola, and mango). The impact of these extracts on microbial growth, folate production, and adhesion ability of Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG was investigated. Mango water extract (MWE) presented the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Orange water extract (OWE) and MWE showed the best anti-inflammatory potential by decreasing the highest nitric oxide levels. When TH-4 and LGG were grown together, folate production was only stimulated by MWE. Passion fruit water extract and OWE increased the TH-4 adhesion whereas acerola water extracts and MWE improved LGG adhesion when strains were used individually. These results showed that fruit by-product water extracts (FWE), especially from mango, presented potential beneficial biological and functional properties. These FWE could be used to develop new functional antioxidant foods and natural pharmaceutical ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algae is an emerging source of vegetable oil. In this study, a comparative assessment of algal oil for deep frying with sunflower and palm oil was performed. Potato sticks were fried for four consecutive days in each of the individual oils under study. These oils were analyzed for density, refractive index, viscosity, oil uptake, acid value, percentage free fatty acid, acidity, peroxide value, total polar compounds, color, radical scavenging activity and fatty acid profile. Fried potato sticks were evaluated for texture and sensorial properties, the latter was performed using a fuzzy logic method. Principle component analysis was done for a variety of physicochemical parameters. This study revealed that the algal oil had the highest physical and chemical stability during the frying process compared to sunflower and palm oils. Potato sticks fried in algal oil had a superior texture and improved sensorial properties. Based on these results it can be concluded that algal oil has a great potential to be used for deep frying foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• No regulator or blood collection agency currently is comfortable allowing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users to donate blood. • Antiretrovirals used as PrEP do not fully protect against sexually transmitted HIV infection, even in fully adherent individuals. • It remains unproven whether PrEP deferral questions improve safety for donors who fully comply with deferral criteria. • Deferrals of 3 months for oral PrEP and 2 years for long-acting PrEP appear justified, as such a policy safeguards the blood supply. Pre- and postexposure prophylaxis for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are key to reducing the transmission of this virus. Furthermore, low-toxicity, long-acting formulations provide additional clinical benefits, in particular easier adherence to treatment and prevention. However, breakthrough HIV infections can occur despite the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), mainly due to suboptimal adherence or multi-drug resistant HIV strains. Albeit rare, PrEP breakthrough infections have also been reported in fully adherent patients. Should such breakthrough infection occur in an eligible blood donor, PrEP might suppress viremia and delay antibody seroconversion, thereby masking the infection and increasing the risk of transfusion transmission. This possibility has raised concerns in the blood transfusion community but remains little documented. Therefore, a literature search was performed to assess the state of knowledge on the risk of PrEP breakthrough infection, with a particular focus on the risk of HIV entering the blood supply. Evidently, PrEP breakthrough infections are rare, although the risk is not zero. Moreover, a fraction of individuals — including blood donors — do not disclose PrEP use according to various surveys and measurements of HIV PrEP analytes. Additionally, viremia and seroconversion may remain undetectable or close to the limit of detection for a long time after cessation of PrEP, particularly with long-acting antiretrovirals. Therefore, current recommendations to defer donors for at least 3 months after the last dose of oral PrEP or 2 years for long-acting PrEP appear justified, as they safeguard the blood supply and public trust toward the system. These recommendations help to safeguard blood safety and public trust in the blood supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of egg white (EW) nanoparticles to bind folic acid (FA) and protect it through the gastrointestinal tract and the resulting properties of the mixtures as functional ingredient was investigated. Two kinds of EW nanoparticles (USN and TSN) were mixed with FA to generate nanocarriers (USF and TSF). The particle size distribution of USN remained unaltered after the binding of FA, while a little increase in particle size was observed for TSN. Zeta (ζ) potential and fluorescence intensity did not show any significant change after FA addition for both nanoparticles. The percentage of bound folic acid (% BFA) was 78.0 ± 9.1 and 79.7 ± 9.0, for USF and TSF, respectively. A slight formation of aggregates in the samples was observed after freeze-drying and redispersion of the nanocarriers, which was also confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Nanocarriers particle size did not change after adjusting the pH from 3 to 4, but strongly increased after adjusting it to 5, 6 or 7. The % BFA at pH 4 was similar to that at pH 3, but greatly decreased at pH 7. The bioavailability of FA for Lactobacillus rhamnosus was enhanced when the vitamin was incorporated in the form of digested nanocomplexes USF or TSF. The interaction of EW nanoparticles with FA has proven to be beneficial for the transport and release of FA after in vitro digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folate deficiencies are common in many parts of the world. The use of folate producing food grade microorganisms has been proposed as a more natural alternative to fortification with the chemical folic acid. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel fermented milk elaborated with adequately selected folate producing lactic acid bacteria. This product was tested using both a rodent depletion–repletion model and a complete deficient model. The folate bio-enriched fermented milk was able to increase plasma folate concentrations and decrease homocysteine levels. This is the first report demonstrating that a naturally folate bio-enriched fermented milk, elaborated with folate-producing starter cultures, not only is effective to improve folate status but can also prevent folate deficiency. Consumers also would obviously benefit from this type of product because they could increase their folate intakes while consuming foods that form part of their normal diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: For the purposes of new product development, the cycling industry requires an objective means of ranking bicycle comfort with regard to vibration response. Acceleration is currently the standard metric used in the industry. Absorbed power and transmitted force have recently been proposed as metrics to quantify bicycle comfort. The objective of this paper is to compare the relative merits of these 3 metrics. Measurements were done while comparing 2 bikes tested on a cobblestone road and on a laboratory simulator. Acceleration and absorbed power give the same anticipated results but the absorbed power has several advantages over the other metrics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Soymilk fermented with L. rhamnosus CRL981 was evaluated in a diabetes model. [•] Fermented soymilk decreased glucose levels in blood. [•] Fermented soymilk decreased serum cholesterol and triacylglycerols levels. [•] Fermented soymilk increased antioxidant enzyme activities in liver. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Food-related lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as well as human gut commensals such as bifidobacteria can de novo synthesize and supply vitamins. This is important since humans lack the biosynthetic capacity for most vitamins and these must thus be provided exogenously. Although vitamins are present in a variety of foods, deficiencies still occur, mainly due to malnutrition as a result of insufficient food intake and because of poor eating habits. Fermented milks with high levels of B-group vitamins (such as folate and riboflavin) can be produced by LAB-promoted and possibly bifidobacteria-promoted biosynthesis. Moreover, certain strains of LAB produce the complex vitamin cobalamin (or vitamin B12). In this review, fermented foods with elevated levels of B-group vitamins produced by LAB used as starter cultures will be covered. In addition, genetic abilities for vitamin biosynthesis by selected human gut commensals will be discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species are involved in various aspects of intestinal inflammation and tumor development. Decreasing their levels using antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT) or superoxide dismutase (SOD) could therefore be useful in the prevention of certain diseases. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are ideal candidates to deliver these enzymes in the gut. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of CAT or SOD producing LAB were evaluated using a trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) induced Crohn''s disease murine model. Engineered Lactobacillus casei BL23 strains producing either CAT or SOD, or the native strain were given to mice before and after intrarectal administration of TNBS. Animal survival, live weight, intestinal morphology and histology, enzymatic activities, microbial translocation to the liver and cytokines released in the intestinal fluid were evaluated. The mice that received CAT or SOD-producing LAB showed a faster recovery of initial weight loss, increased enzymatic activities in the gut and lesser extent of intestinal inflammation compared to animals that received the wild-type strain or those that did not receive bacterial supplementation. Our findings suggest that genetically engineered LAB that produce antioxidant enzymes could be used to prevent or decrease the severity of certain intestinal pathologies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the bioavailability of different folates produced by engineered Lactococcus lactis strains using a rodent depletion–repletion bioassay. Methods: Rats were fed a folate-deficient diet, which produces a reversible subclinical folate deficiency, supplemented with different L. lactis cultures that were added as the only source of folate. Three bacterial strains that overexpressed the folC, folKE, or folC +KE genes were used. These strains produce folates with different poly glutamyl tail lengths. The growth response of the rats and the concentration of folates in different organs and blood samples were monitored. Results: The folate produced by the engineered strains was able to compensate the folate depletion in the diet and showed similar bioavailability compared with commercial folic acid that is normally used for food fortification. Folate concentrations in organ and blood samples increased significantly in animals that received the folate-producing strains compared with those that did not receive bacterial supplementation. Hematologic studies also showed that administration of the L. lactis strains was able to revert a partial megaloblastic anemia caused by folate deficiency. No significant differences were observed in the bioavailability of folates containing different glutamyl tail lengths. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrated that folates produced by engineered lactic acid bacteria represent a bioavailable source of this essential vitamin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Acrylamide (CH2=CHCONH2, CAS Registry No. 79-06-1) is an industrial chemical used since the 1950s as a chemical intermediate in the production of polyacrylamides, which are used as flocculants for clarifying drinking-water and other industrial applications. The neurotoxicity of acrylamide in humans is well known from occupational and accidental exposures. In addition, experimental studies with acrylamide in animals have shown reproductive, genotoxic and carcinogenic properties. Acrylamide may be formed when foods, particularly those that are high in carbohydrates and low in protein, are subjected to high temperatures during cooking or other thermal processing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study evaluated the methodology of using existing, international data to calculate the intake of nutrients and contaminants via seafood consumption on a national level. This was done by combining French seafood consumption data with two different datasets. [(1)] Distributions fitted to existing, international nutrient and contaminant concentration data in fish and seafood (further on called ‘existing, international probability distributions’). [(2)] National concentration data point estimates resulting from national monitoring programs. The results showed that a significant correlation was found between the results obtained by using different data sets and that a high percentage of the population was classified in the same category (above or below the intake reference values). As such, the general conclusion that can be drawn from the results: ‘whether a part of the population does exceed the toxicological reference values for certain contaminants and whether a part of the population does not reach the recommended intake for certain nutrients’ remains the same for the two approaches. Therefore, it can be concluded that the existing, international probability distributions are useful when aiming to perform a cost-effective risk benefit evaluation of seafood consumption on national or regional level. When this evaluation does indicate that more detailed results are needed because a certain health risk exists, it can be decided that it is worth to spend more time and money for the analyses of national samples in order to collect more detailed results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Riboflavin deficiency is common in many parts of the world, particularly in developing countries. The use of riboflavin-producing strains in the production of dairy products such as fermented milk, yogurt, and cheese is feasible and economically attractive because it would decrease the costs involved during conventional vitamin fortification and satisfy consumer demands for healthier foods. The present study in a rat bioassay assessed the response of administration of yogurt containing a riboflavin-producing strain of Propionibacterium freudenreichii on the riboflavin status of deficient rats. Methods: Propionibacterium freudenreichii NIZO B2336 is a spontaneous roseoflavin-resistant mutant derived from P. freudenreichii B374 that produces larger amounts of riboflavin than the parental stain. Rats were fed a riboflavin-deficient diet for 21 d (depletion period), after which this same diet was supplemented with conventional yogurt, yogurt containing the riboflavin-producing strain (B2336), or the parental non-producing strain (B374) and fed to animals for 28 d (repletion period). As controls, rats were fed the same diet with different concentrations of commercial riboflavin. Results: The novel fermented product containing P. freudenreichii B2336, with increased levels of riboflavin, eliminated most physiologic manifestations of ariboflavinosis such as stunted growth, high erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient values, and hepatomegaly that were observed when using a riboflavin depletion-repletion model, whereas the product fermented with the non–riboflavin-producing strain did not show this beneficial effect. Conclusions: Consumption of such products with increased levels of riboflavin on a regular basis may help prevent deficiencies of this essential vitamin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ecosystem biomass and C sequestration and cycling were measured in a mature, budworm-ravaged, second-growth boreal mixedwood stand subjected to clearcut and partial cut harvest treatments. Ninety permanent sample plots, distributed among fifteen 10 ha blocks, were established in 1993 and remeasured shortly after harvest and, again, 5 years later to ascertain C removals, as well as post-harvest ingrowth and upgrowth. In addition, litter bags and litter traps were installed and ground vegetation and forest floor samples were collected to monitor changes in ecosystem C pools and fluxes as affected by harvesting.The harvested blocks were quickly reoccupied by a thriving ground species regrowth, followed by a prolific trembling aspen thicket. Despite this, 5-year growth per area on control plots exceeded that on either partial cut or clearcut plots. Annual C assimilation rates in the post-harvest period were similarly significantly higher on control (3.1 Mg ha−1 per year) than on partial cut (1.8 Mg ha−1 per year) or clearcut (0.3 Mg ha−1 per year) plots. When growth was expressed as a function of biomass, the order reversed indicating the young growth to be the more vigorous. The forest floor lost little mass during the post-harvest period. Further, leaf litter decomposition was slower on clearcut plots than in uncut forest. Results suggest that ecosystem C pools and fluxes are rapidly reconstituted following harvest. If harvesting were to occur, ecosystem C assimilation in boreal mixedwood forest would be maximized under partial cutting. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Filled rubber compounds are complex polymer systems that exhibit a number of singular flow properties markedly different from those of unfilled, molten polymers. In addition to usual hydrodynamics (or volume fraction) effects, reinforcing fillers such as carbon blacks or high-structure silica, impart modifications in flow properties whose origin is assigned to strong interactions arising between the elastomer and the filler particles. The report discusses the nature of rubber–filler interactions and their effects on rheological properties of uncured materials. The concept of rubber–filler mesophase is first introduced in order to underline the fundamental scaling problem that exists when attempting to relate phenomena occurring in the nanometer range to flow singularities, essentially observed in the macroscopic range. Then flow singularities exhibited by filled rubber compounds are briefly described, before interactions between fillers and elastomers are reviewed with respect to filler characteristics. Bound rubber is consequently considered, as a macroscopic result of rubber–filler interactions, and its importance is stressed as the obvious link towards flow singularities. Eventually dimensional aspects in filled rubber compounds are discussed in detail, since they offer the most likely key to understand the relationships between bound rubber and flow properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Profile mineralizable N pools were higher in operational clearcut treatments than in uncut reference forest. • Profile mineralizable N pools and microbial biomass C and N were lower in full-tree compared to stem-only harvesting. • Full-tree harvesting with blading significantly reduced profile mineralizable N pools compared to operational harvesting. • Fertilization and vegetation control treatments had few effects on N mineralization. • Soil N indices were useful predictors of dominant height growth for jack pine to a greater degree than black spruce. The impact of harvesting intensity, vegetation control and fertilization on soil N availability 5–20 years post-harvest was determined at 18 jack pine and black spruce forests in northern Ontario, Canada. The study sites are affiliated with the North American long-term soil productivity (LTSP) study. Boreal forest growth is commonly N limited and young stands approaching crown closure acquire most of their N from the soil. The study sites represented a range of soil types and were harvested with three levels of organic matter removal (stem-only harvest, full-tree harvest and full-tree harvest with organic horizon removal by blading). Three study sites had multiple applications of glyphosate to control competing vegetation and one site included a trial with two applications of N, P, K fertilizer to the full-tree harvest treatment. We used short-term anaerobic laboratory incubations and in-situ closed top tube growing season incubations to determine mineralizable N and net N mineralization, respectively. Profile (organic plus mineral horizons) mineralizable N pools were higher in operational clearcut (stem-only and full-tree harvesting) treatments compared to the uncut reference forest 10–14 years post harvest. Full-tree harvesting with blading significantly reduced profile mineralizable N pools at this time compared to operational harvesting, while the same treatment at one upland site also reduced net N mineralization pools. Profile mineralizable N pools and microbial biomass C and N were lower in full-tree compared to stem-only harvesting treatments, suggesting that increased slash retention with stem-only harvesting was playing a role in enhanced soil N availability at a time when plantations were approaching a period of greater N demand. Fertilization and vegetation control treatments had few effects on N indices, although net N mineralization pools for the stem-only and full-tree harvest that also had the repeated herbicide treatment were consistently, but not significantly, lower than non-herbicided treatments. Soil N indices were useful predictors of dominant height growth for jack pine to a greater degree than for black spruce, and soil N concentrations were as effective at predicting height growth as more resource intensive measurements. Our results point to the importance of continued monitoring of soil and stand conditions at these LTSP sites as treatment effects on soil N cycling and site productivity will likely continue to evolve. At this stage of stand development, full-tree harvesting plus organic horizon removal, followed by operational harvesting has led to lower soil N availability than operational tree-length harvesting, and stands with understory vegetation control are now showing indications of reduced N availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folate plays a specific role as methyl donor for nucleotide synthesis and genomic methylation patterns, which in turn are important epigenetic determinants in gene expression. Previous studies have revealed the presence of folate in bovine oviductal fluid as well as the existence of a fine-tuned regulation of the gene expression of folate receptors and transporters in bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs). However, the functional implications of folate in the oviduct remain unknown. The present study aimed to assess the effect of folic acid (FA) on expression levels of selected genes that potentially respond to the folate status in in vitro BOECs. To obtain an insight into the optimization of a culture system for assays, gene expression of folate receptors and transporters was compared between BOECs grown in monolayers and in suspension. The results showed that BOECs from isthmus and ampulla in suspension culture better preserved the region-dependent gene expression profile than in monolayers. Subsequently, BOECs from both anatomical regions were separately cultured in suspension for 24 h assaying different FA concentrations: I) TCM-199 (control); II) TCM-199 + 1 μM FA (similar to the oviduct concentration); III) TCM-199 + 10 μM FA and IV) TCM-199 + 100 μM FA. Expression analysis of genes related to important cellular processes including folate transport, DNA methylation, cell-cell interaction, antioxidant activity and signaling pathways was performed in BOECs using RT-qPCR. Our data demonstrated that addition of 1 μM FA did not affect mRNA levels of most genes analyzed. In contrast, BOECs cultured with 10 μM FA exhibited increased mRNA expression levels of genes involved in folate intake, DNA methylation and antioxidant protection. It is worth noting that at 100 μM FA, transcriptional response in BOECs mainly resulted in decreased mRNA levels of the majority of the genes assayed. Interestingly, cytotoxicity analysis showed a similar LDH activity in the culture media of the experimental groups, indicating that cell integrity was not affected by the FA concentrations assayed. In conclusion, our findings suggest that folate can affect BOECs, promoting changes in gene activity in a framework of functional readjustments in response to environmental conditions. • The effect of folic acid (FA) on expression of selected genes was explored in BOECs cultured in vitro. • The addition of 1 μM FA did not affect mRNA levels of most genes analyzed. • Expression levels of genes related to folate transport, DNA methylation and antioxidant protection increased with 10 μM FA. • Elevated concentrations of FA (100 μM) decreased mRNA levels of the majority of the genes assayed. • LDH activity in the culture medium reflected that cell integrity was not affected by the FA concentrations assayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have demonstrated that the oviductal environment plays an active role in modulating the epigenetic marks of the preimplantation embryo genome, but the molecular factors that mediate this epigenetic effect are unknown. Folate is a well-known epi-nutrient that can impact on cell epigenetic machinery during embryonic and fetal development. However, the study of this epi-nutrient in the oviduct is still limited. The present study was conducted to confirm the presence and physiological concentration of folate in bovine oviductal fluid (OF) and to determine if bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs) are able to regulate the uptake of this micronutrient. Samples of OF from ipsi- and contralateral oviducts were collected at different stages of the estrous cycle and folate levels were determined using a competitive receptor binding immunoassay. In addition, gene expression of folate receptors ( FOLR1 , FOLR2 ) and transporters ( SLC19A1, SLC46A1 ) were analyzed in BOECs from ampulla and isthmus regions during different stages of the estrous cycle using RT-qPCR. In vitro culture assays were also performed to evaluate whether expression of these genes responds to hormonal stimulation. Our results demonstrated presence of folate in the OF, showing changes of its concentration in the ipsilateral oviduct during the estrous cycle and significantly lower levels at the postovulatory stage. Moreover, gene expression of folate receptors and transporters was detected in BOECs, showing regional and cycle-dependent changes. In particular, differential expression of FOLR1 mRNA was observed in BOECs from the isthmus region, reaching significantly higher levels during the postovulatory stage. Under in vitro culture conditions, gene expression of folate receptors and transporters was maintained in BOEC explants and a particular susceptibility to steroid hormone stimulation was observed. In conclusion, the present study confirms the presence of folate in the bovine oviduct and proves the existence of a fine-tuned regulation of the expression of its receptors and transporters, highlighting the importance to expand the knowledge about this epi-nutrient in the oviductal context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two starter cultures ( Streptococcus ( St. ) thermophilus ST-M6 and TA-40) and five probiotic strains ( St. thermophilus TH-4, Lactobacillus ( Lb. ) acidophilus LA-5, Lb. rhamnosus LGG, Lb. fermentum PCC, and Lb. reuteri RC-14) were used to ferment different soymilk formulations supplemented with passion fruit by-product and/or fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) with the aim of increasing folate concentrations. Growth and folate production of individual strains were evaluated and the results used to select co-cultures. Both St. thermophilus ST-M6 and TH-4 were the best folate producers and were able to increase the folate content of all soymilk formulations when used alone or in co-culture with lactobacilli strains, especially in the presence of both passion fruit by-product and FOS. Thus, passion fruit by-product and FOS could be used as dietary ingredients to stimulate the folate production by selected bacterial strains during the fermentation of soymilk. It was also shown that vitamin production by microorganisms is strain-dependent and may also be influenced by nutritional and environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Sudan I is generally considered mutagenic based on various in vitro and in vivo tests and is carcinogenic in the rat. Dose-response modelling of the data for hepatocellular adenomas in male rats gave a BMDL10 of 7.3mg/kg-bw/day. Sudan I is an unauthorised substance that might be present in food intermittently. The great variability and uncertainties in the human exposure data which are country specific, depending on consumption patterns and methodology used, resulted in a large range of MOE values (from 30 to 2,000,000). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The chlorinated impurities of 1-methylcyclopropene possess weak mutagenicity and are carcinogenic in rodent bioassays. Dose-response modelling of the data for 1-chloro-2-methylpropene gave a BMDL10 for nasal carcinomas in male rats of 11mg/kg-bw/day (after correction for the 5 days/week dosage schedule). No human exposure data are available and theoretical estimates had to be used to calculate the MoE. The MoEs ranged from 40,000 to 100,000,000 depending on the assumptions used in the exposure estimation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has been consistently shown to be a potent mutagen and is a liver carcinogen in humans and a wide range of animal species. The Fisher rat appears to be the most sensitive animal model. Dose–response modelling results in a BMDL10 of 250ng/kg-bw/d. Estimates of mean dietary exposure estimates were 0.4ng/kg-bw/d and 2.6ng/kg-bw/d, representing regions with low and high exposure, respectively. The MOEs for mean exposure therefore range from 100 to 600. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: 1,3-Dichloro-2-propanol (DCP) is formed in foods under a variety of conditions. It was positive in a variety of in vitro genotoxicity tests, but was negative in two in vivo studies. DCP produced neoplasms at several sites in rats. Kidney tumours in male rats were selected as the critical tumour type. Dose–response modelling of the data for DCP gave a BMDL10 for combined kidney carcinomas and adenomas in male rats of 9.62mg/kg-body weight (bw)/day. The exposure of humans was estimated at an average of 0.00009mg/kg-bw/day and a high exposure of 0.000136mg/kg-bw/day. The MOEs for these exposures were 100,000 and 70,000, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Leucomalachite green (LMG) is mutagenic and produces DNA-adducts in vivo, and is carcinogenic in rodent bioassays. Dose-response modelling of the data for hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas in female mice gave a BMDL10 of 20 mg/kg-bw/day. Limited data are available on the concentrations present in fish for human consumption. Human exposure estimates assumed that all consumed fish is contaminated with LMG. The calculated MoEs were 4,000,000 and 400,000 respectively for average and high exposure estimates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mycotoxins are produced in plants by micro-fungi species, and naturally contaminated the food chain. In the second French total diet study (TDS), mycotoxins were analyzed in 577 food samples collected in mainland France to be representative of the population diet and prepared 〈〈as consumed〉〉. Highest mean concentrations were found in wheat and cereal-based products (bread, breakfast cereals, pasta, pastries, pizzas and savoury pastries…). Exposure of adult and child populations was assessed by combining national consumption data with analytical results, using lowerbound (LB) and upperbound (UB) assumptions for left-censorship management. Individual exposures were compared with available health-based guidance values (HBGV). Only the exposure to deoxynivalenol (DON) and its acetylated derivatives was found to significantly exceed the HBGV in LB in adults (0.5% [0.1; 0.8]) and children (5% [4; 6]). HBGV was exceeded in UB only for T-2 and HT-2 toxins by, respectively, 0.2% [0.02; 0.05] and 4% [3; 5] of adults, and 11% [9; 12] and 35% [32; 37] of children. Although the exposures assessed were generally lower than the previous French TDS, the results indicated a health concern for trichothecenes and a need to reduce dietary exposure as well as analytical limits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Reaction of various neutral L&z.sbnd;XH bidentate ligands (2-aminobenzoı¨c acid, acetylacetone, dibenzoylmethan and 2-aminobenzenethiol) with [Cp′2TaH2]+, obtained in situ from Cp′2TaH3 treated with triphenylmethan cation, affords after dihydrogen elimination the corresponding cationic species [Cp′2Ta(H)(L&z.sbnd;X)]+ in BF4 or PF6 salts. Complexes [Cp′2TaH(η2-O2CC6H4-o-NH2&z.sbnd;O,O′)]PF6 (3), {Cp′2Ta[η2-OC(Me)CHC(Me)O&z.sbnd;O,O′]}BF4 (4a), {Cp′2TaH[η2-OC(Ph)CHC(Ph)O&z.sbnd;O,O′]}BF4 (4b) and [Cp′2TaH(η2-SC6H4-o-NH2&z.sbnd;S,N)]PF6 (5) are characterised by analytical and spectroscopic methods. With thiopyridine, the kinetic (6) and the thermodynamic (6′) isomers [Cp′2TaH(η2-2-SC5H4N&z.sbnd;S,N)]PF6 are identified. Crystal structures are reported for complexes 3, 5 and 6′. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• L. plantarum CRL 2107 + CRL 1964 (MC4) were selected to make quinoa sourdough. • Pasta with quínoa sourdough bio-enriched in B 2 , B 9 and minerals (PBE) was obtained. • This is the first study where a PBE using quinoa flour fermented by LAB was obtained. • PBE was effective in preventing B 2 and B 9 deficiencies in a mice model. In recent years, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd), an ancestral crop of the Andean region of South America, has gained worldwide attention due to its high nutritional value. This grain is a good source of several vitamins and minerals; however, their bioavailability is decreased by the presence of antinutritional factors such as phytic acid. These compounds can be reduced using lactic acid bacteria (LAB), that have a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status and have traditionally been associated with food fermentation due to their biosynthetic capacity and metabolic versatility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a pasta made with quinoa sourdough fermented by L. plantarum strains producing vitamins B 2 and B 9 and phytase to prevent vitamins and minerals deficiency using an in vivo mouse model. The results showed that the pasta fermented with the mixed culture containing L. plantarum CRL 2107 + L. plantarum CRL 1964 present increased B 2 and B 9 levels in mice blood. Likewise, higher concentrations of P, Ca+2, Fe+2, Mg+2 (18.75, 10.70, 0.37, 4.85 mg/dL, respectively) were determined with respect to the deficient group (DG) (9.85, 9.90, 0.26, 3.34 mg/dL, respectively). Hematological studies showed an increase in hemoglobin (14.4 ± 0.6 g/dL), and hematocrit (Htc, 47.0 ± 0.6%) values, compared to the DG (Hb: 12.6 ± 0.5 g/dL, Hto: 39.9 ± 1.1%). Furthermore, histological evaluations of the intestines showed an increase of the small intestine villi length in this latter group. The results allow us to conclude that bio-enrichment of quinoa pasta using LAB could be a novel strategy to increase vitamin and minerals bioavailability in cereal/pseudocereal – derived foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the first multi-centre Sub-Saharan Africa Total Diet Study, 660 typical foods from Benin, Cameroon, Mali, and Nigeria were purchased, prepared according to local consumption habits, and pooled into 55 composite samples. These core foods were tested for 15 + 1 EU priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which were quantified by isotope dilution and gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The sum of benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and chrysene (PAH4) represented 77% of the 13 genotoxic and carcinogenic PAHs. The highest PAH4 concentration was quantified in sea and fresh water smoked fish (mean: 179.7 μg/kg; max: 560.4 μg/kg) and the PAH4 in all smoked fish composite samples exceeded the EU maximum limit of 12 μg/kg. Further, PAH4 in edible oils (including palm oil and peanut oil) exceeded the EU maximum limit of 10 μg/kg in 50% of the cases (mean 12.0 μg/kg; max: 60.6 μg/kg). These data can be used for assessing the contribution of core foods to dietary exposure and for risk characterization. Image 1 • Representative foods were prepared as consumed and were pooled before analysis. • Smoked fish composite samples exceeded the EU limit for PAH4 in 100% of cases. • Edible oils exceeded EU limits for PAH4 in 50% of cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A numerical simulation of a wood fire in a natural gallery is compared with experimental data. Temperatures, velocities, gases and particles concentrations as well as soot deposits are the measured quantities of the experiment. We expose in this article the comparison with a simulation performed by the open-source solver FireFOAM. In order to improve the accuracy of the modeling, the initial numerical tool has been modified. A boundary condition for temperature based on energy conservation has been added to better estimate thermal losses at the walls. A hypothesis regarding vertical velocity in a confined geometry containing a localized fire is also made. By assuming that the velocity is exclusively horizontal, the error between simulation and experiment is reduced. With the aim of comparing the temperature measurements with the simulation accurately, the thermocouple model commonly used in FireFOAM has been changed. The limitations of the previous models are also discussed. Then, two combustion side issues are presented. First, the model of Beresnev-Chernyak computes soot deposit on walls. Second, the fractional effective doses (FED) for toxicity, radiation and heat hazards have been implemented to evaluate the safety of the environment during the fire. Highlights: • A localized wood fire was made within an instrumented confined gallery. • The experimental data are compared with a FireFOAM simulation. • An accurate thermocouple correction added to the tool allows this comparison. • A thermal boundary condition and a hazard modeling are implemented. • Enforcing the velocity to be only horizontal yields consistent results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the influence of passion fruit by-product (PFBP) and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on the viability of Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG in folate bio-enriched fermented soy products and their effect on probiotic survival and folate bio-accessibility under in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions during storage of the products at 4 °C for up to 28 days (at days 1, 14, and 28). Kinetic parameters and folate contents before and after fermentation were also evaluated. Four different bio-enriched soy products in which the two microorganisms were used in co-cultures were studied and PFBP and/or FOS were added at 1 g/100 g, except for the control product. No differences (p < 0.05) between the fermented soy products (FSP) were observed for the maximum acidification rate (V max) and the time to reach the V max (T max) or pH 5.5 (T f), indicating that the use of PFBP and/or FOS did not affect the fermentation kinetic parameters. Only Lb. rhamnosus LGG retained the desired viability (>8 log CFU/mL) during storage, whereas St. thermophilus TH-4 populations decreased by day 14 reaching counts between 6.4 and 5.5 log CFU/mL by day 28. The folate content of all FSP increased after fermentation and the simultaneous presence of PFBP and FOS stimulated the co-culture to increase folate production. Folate content in all FSP decreased during storage. Lb. rhamnosus LGG was recovered at the end of the simulated digestion, but PFBP and/or FOS did not affect recovery. The folate content increased during the gastrointestinal assay for all FSP, especially for FSP without supplementation, suggesting an in vitro increase of folate bio-accessibility. Therefore, the bio-enriched probiotic FSP presented a great potential as an innovative functional food by delivering probiotic microorganisms and providing 14% of the recommended daily folate intake. The folate content of the FSP might be increased during gastrointestinal stress conditions, which could contribute to increase the folate bio-accessibility in the gut. Highlights • Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG was viable during the storage period of FSP. • Folate bio-enriched fermented soy products (FSP) were submitted to in vitro GI stress. • LGG survived the in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions. • Folate bio-accessibility increased during the simulated digestion of all FSP. • FSP with passion fruit by-product and FOS may represent 14% of the folate RDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes an optimisation and validation process on a method using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to quantify furan in foods consumed mainly by infants and toddlers. The method that we developed allowed for low limits of quantification for liquid (1 µg kg −1 ) and solid (2 µg kg −1 ) samples. Our method was then applied to 134 food samples from the first French Total Diet Study on infants and toddlers. Furan was detected in 84% and quantified in 61% of the samples, at average lower and upper bound (LB/UB) concentrations ranging from 0 to 44 µg kg −1 . The sugar and sugar derivatives, milk, growth milk, infant formulae and “other hot beverages categories contained the lowest average content (LB/UB ≤ 1 µg kg −1 ) and breakfast cereals contained the highest (LB/UB = 44 µg kg −1 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes an optimisation and validation process using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry to quantify acrylamide in foods mainly consumed by infants and toddlers. A limit of quantification of 5 µg.kg −1 for both solid and liquid samples was achieved, except for unprepared infant cereals (LOQ of 18 µg.kg −1 ). The method was then applied to 141 food samples from the first French total diet study on infants and toddlers. Acrylamide was detected in most samples at mean LB/UB concentrations ranging from 0.14 to 102 µg.kg −1 . The “Follow-on formula” and “Infant formula” products contained the lowest average content (LB/UB of 0.14/2.2 µg.kg −1 and 0.60/2.9 µg.kg −1 respectively) and the “Sweet and savoury biscuits and bars” (102 µg.kg −1 ; n = 1 represented by a plain dry biscuit) contained the highest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infants and toddlers are highly vulnerable to exposure to lead due to its higher absorption in small children than in adults. This study describes the optimisation and validation of a very sensitive method for the determination of low levels of lead in foods mostly consumed by infants and toddlers. This method, based on inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry with a programmable temperature cyclonic spray chamber, attained a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.6 or 0.9 µg Pb kg −1 for a liquid or a solid sample, that was improved by a factor 5.6–8.3 compared to the previous method (LOQ: 5 µg kg −1 ). The analytical method was then applied to 291 food samples from the first French total diet study on infants and toddlers. Lead was detected in most samples at relatively low concentrations (range 0.0–16 µg kg −1 ). The highest lead concentrations were mainly found in processed food products (e.g. products containing chocolate). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The core food model was described more than three decades ago, and has been used ever since to identify main food contributors to dietary intakes for both nutrients and other food chemicals. The Sub-Saharan Africa Total Diet Study (SSA-TDS) uses this model to describe the food consumption habits of some selected populations of Benin, Cameroon, Mali, and Nigeria, prior to use in the completion of quantitative risk assessments with regard to food chemicals. Food consumption data were derived from food expenditure data contained in national household budget surveys that were provided by the national institutes of statistics in each country. A classification of African foods was established for the purpose of the study and core foods were selected, so as to reflect 96 ± 1% of the average national total diet expressed in weight. Populations from eight study centers were selected by national stakeholders. This approach involves the purchase of 4020 individual foods, prepared as consumed and pooled into 335 food composite samples, for analysis of mycotoxins, PAHs, PCBs and dioxins, pesticides, metals and trace elements, PFAs, and BFRs. This sampling plan aims to provide a representative, cost effective, and replicable approach for deterministic dietary exposure assessments in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous fire marks occur on the walls of the Chauvet-Pont d’Arc cave. Dating indicated that some of the fires were contemporary to the Aurignacian. Violent thermal shocks were observed in surprisingly narrow areas of the cave. This raises numerous archaeological questions about the function of the fires; the answers depend on the location of the hearths, and the intensity of the fires. Numerical simulation was used here to provide information about the behaviour of fires in such confined spaces. An underground non-archaeological site, in a limestone quarry, was equipped to monitor fires in an environment similar to that of the Megaceros gallery of the Chauvet-Pont d’Arc cave. The fire and the movement of heat and smoke in the quarry were simulated by the open source code “Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS)”. Results were validated on wall temperatures recorded behind and above the fire. The thermo-mechanical impact of the fire on the rock was simulated with CAST3M software, providing the most probable zones for limestone spalling due to thermal gradients. The validated approach will, in a forthcoming study, be applied to the Chauvet-Pont d’Arc cave, in which coupled simulations in the air and in the rock should indicate the location of the hearths and the intensity of the fires that generated the marks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer is well documented. The genetic modification of lactic acid bacteria as a tool to increase the anti-inflammatory potential of these microorganisms has also been demonstrated. Thus the aim of the present work was to evaluate the anti-cancer potential of different genetically modified lactic acid bacteria (GM-LAB) producing antioxidant enzymes (catalase or superoxide dismutase) or the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (protein or DNA delivery) using a chemical induced colon cancer murine model. Dimethilhydrazine was used to induce colorectal cancer in mice. The animals received GM-LAB producing anti-oxidant enzymes, IL-10 or a mixture of different GM-LAB. Intestinal damage, enzyme activities and cytokines were evaluated and compared to the results obtained from mice that received the wild type strains from which derived the GM-LAB. All the GM-LAB assayed showed beneficial effects against colon cancer even though they exerted different mechanisms of action. The importance to select LAB with innate beneficial properties as the progenitor strain was demonstrated with the GM-LAB producing anti-oxidant enzymes. In addition, the best effects for the mixtures GM-LAB that combine different anti-inflammatory mechanism. Results indicate that mixtures of selected LAB and GM-LAB could be used as an adjunct treatment to decrease the inflammatory harmful environment associated to colorectal cancer, especially for patients with chronic intestinal inflammation who have an increased risk to develop colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of two starter cultures ( Streptococcus ( S. ) thermophilus ST-M6 and St. thermophilus TA-40) and eleven probiotic cultures ( St. thermophilus TH-4, Lactobacillus ( Lb. ) acidophilus LA-5, Lb. fermentum PCC, Lb. reuteri RC-14, Lb. paracasei subsp. paracasei , Lb. casei 431, Lb. paracasei subsp. paracasei F19, Lb. rhamnosus GR-1, and Lb. rhamnosus LGG, Bifidobacterium ( B. ) animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, B. longum subsp. longum BB-46, and B. longum subsp. infantis BB-02) to produce folate in a modified MRS broth (mMRS) supplemented with different fruit (passion fruit, acerola, orange, and mango) and okara soybean by-products and amaranth flour was investigated. Initially, the folate content of each vegetable substrate was determined: passion fruit by-product showed the lowest folate content (8 ± 2 ng/mL) and okara the highest (457 ± 22 ng/mL). When the orange by-product and amaranth flour were added to mMRS, all strains were able to increase folate production after 24 h of fermentation. B. longum subsp infantis BB-02 produced the highest concentrations (1223 ± 116 ng/mL) in amaranth flour. Okara was the substrate that had the lowest impact on the folate production by all strains evaluated. Lb. acidophilus LA-5 (297 ± 36 ng/mL) and B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (237 ± 23 ng/mL) were also able to produce folate after growth in mMRS containing acerola and orange by-products, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate that folate production is not only strain-dependent but also influenced by the addition of different substrates in the growth media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) microbiota of quinoa grains (QG) and spontaneous sourdough (QSS) was evaluated. Different strains of Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum (7), L. rhamnosus (5), L. sakei (1), Pediococcus (Ped.) pentosaceus (9), Leuconostoc (Leuc.) mesenteroides (1), Enterococcus ( E. ) casseliflavus (2), E. mundtii (3), E. hirae (1), E. gallinarum (12), Enterococcus sp. (1), and E. hermanniensis (2) were isolated, identified and characterized. Only four strains isolated from QSS and eight strains isolated from QG showed amylolytic activity. L. plantarum CRL 1973 and CRL 1970, L. rhamnosus CRL 1972 and L. sakei CRL 1978 produced elevated concentrations of folate with strain CRL 1973 producing the highest concentration (143 ± 6 ng/ml). L. rhamnosus , isolated from QSS, was the LAB species that produced the most elevated concentrations of total riboflavin (> 270 ng/ml) with strain CRL 1963 producing the highest amounts (360 ± 10 ng/ml). Phytase activity, evaluated in forty-four LAB strains from quinoa, was predominantly detected in L. rhamnosus and Enterococci strains with the highest activities observed in E. mundtii CRL 2007 (957 ± 25 U/ml) followed by E. casseliflavus CRL 1988 (684 ± 38 U/ml), Leuc. mesenteroides CRL 2012 (617 ± 38 U/ml) and L. rhamnosus CRL 1983 (606 ± 79 U/ml). In conclusion, this study shows that a diverse LAB microbiota is present in quinoa with important properties; these microorganisms could be used as potential starter cultures to increase the nutritional and functional properties of Andean grains based foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a recent revival of interest in some historical contaminants such as polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs). However, occurrence data are still lacking in some countries although industrial production of PCNs has been reported. This observation led to the first ever assessment of their presence in fish and seafood products in France in the present work. Their analysis was integrated in an already validated method applied for polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), based on the structural similarity existing between these POPs. Performances of the method (LODs in the range 0.10–0.28 pg g−1 wet weight (ww), LOQs in the range 0.33–0.93 pg g−1 ww), enabled monitoring 69 di-to octachlorinated congeners in a large representative set of fish and seafood samples collected in 2005 in four coastal areas of the French mainland (n > 30). Their systematic presence was demonstrated in all the investigated seafood products, with levels (ΣPCNs in the range 2–440 pg g−1 wet weight) close to those already reported in other European fish and seafood sampled at a similar period. In addition, the robust measurement of almost all possible PCNs (69/75) allowed a fine interpretation of the observed profiles, highlighting in particular the specificities between species and fishing areas. Compared to the PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and polybrominated diphenylethers levels also measured for this set of samples, PCNs were observed as minor contributors to total concentrations (0.05–3.2%). The specific PCN related dietary dioxin-like exposure could be evaluated at 0.028–0.051 pg of toxic equivalent (TEQ) per kg of body weight per week for an adult, based on fish and seafood consumption only. Overall, this study provides the first baseline data on the occurrence of a large number of PCNs in France, which will allow future evaluation of temporal trends and associated risks. [Display omitted] • Analysis of 69 PCNs congeners is achieved along with other regulated POPs. • Ubiquitous occurrence is confirmed in fish and seafood from French coastal cities. • Differences in PCNs patterns are attributed to species metabolism and sources. • Different contributions of intentional and unintentional sources are suspected. • Contribution of PCNs to total POPs is low, both in terms of levels and toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]