Grand challenges for environmental modeling

Publication of a White Paper on “Grand Challenges of the Future for Environmental Modeling” is announced. The White Paper has been prepared for the US National Science Foundation (NSF) in the setting of its several Environmental Observatory initiatives.     

Aqueous extracts of Vaccinium corymbosum as inhibitors of Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus has been established has one of the most common pathogens causing nosocomial infections worldwide and also playing a role in for several outbreaks related to the consumption of contaminated foodstuffs. More recently, the discovery of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in raw and processed foods increased the risk factor associated with S. aureus associated foodborne diseases and has led to the search for new sources of antimicrobial agents. Therefore the aim of this study is to evaluate, for the first time, the impact of Vaccinium corymbosum L., fruit and leaf, infusions and decoctions upon methicillin resistant (MRSA) and sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). In order to accomplish these objectives V. corymbosum extracts were characterized and inhibition halos, inhibitory concentrations, impact upon enzymatic activity and biofilm formation were assessed. The results obtained showed that major compounds present in V. corymbosum constitution were quercetin-3-glucoside, chlorogenic and cafeic acids. MRSA and MSSA growth was inhibited at 12.5 mg/mL, for leaf, and 50 mg/mL, for fruit, and sub-MIC concentrations presented inhibition percentages as high as 3 log of viable cells and 47% of biomass. Furthermore DNase and coagulase were also inhibited at sub-MIC concentrations of the extracts. The results obtained imply an effective antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of these extracts towards MRSA and MSSA, thus revealing an interest potential for application in the food industry either as a functional ingredient or a preservative.     

食品监管信息化数据元标准编制研究

目的 统一不同食品监管业务信息化系统的术语定义、数据内容、数据格式、接口规范等信息系建设要素。方法 采用数据元基本模型, 以数据编制相关基本规范为基础, 编制相关数据元标准。结果 本研究从食品监管基础通用信息、食品生产许可信息、食品经营许可信息、食品生产经营日常监督检查信息等多个方面编制了相关数据元标准。结论 根据本研究统一编制的数据元标准, 食药总局组织制定发布了21个食品监管信息化标准。该研究产出的标准填补了我国食品安全监管方面信息化标准的空白, 促进了不同的食品安全监管业务系统之间协同、数据资源整合、信息交换共享等方面的能力建设。     

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of patent data in nanomedicine for bridging the gap between research activities and practical applications

Nanomedicines have made a great breakthrough in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease, but there are still significant challenges to make a leap from the scientific discovery to the practical and clinical success. Herein, we contribute to establish effective strategies that can bridge the gaps by an integrated and balanced analysis of patent literatures on the nanomedicine. Since most of successful commercialization of technologies stems from patents, it is important to comprehensively analyze the patent information. Unfortunately, many previous studies of patent analyses for technological trends and strategies are dependent on only quantitative analyses using structured data such as keyword networks and indicators, thus, these studies are difficult to offer detailed technological key components and trends on scientific perspectives. To address these problems, the present study performs qualitative and quantitative analysis using both structured and unstructured patent data, and provides evolving detailed trends in nanomedicine fields from a scientific point of view. Furthermore, upcoming advances in strategies regarding clinical needs, commercial events and strategies of potential leading groups in nanomedicine could be catalogued. Our analytical method and the results of several meaningful patterns and trends were applied to forecast the future practical issue of nanomedicines.