New insights into physiology and metabolism of Propionibacterium freudenreichii

Dairy propionibacteria are Actinobacteria, mainly isolated from dairy environments. Propionibacterium freudenreichii has been used for a long time as a ripening culture in Swiss-type cheese manufacture, and is more and more considered for its potent probiotic effects. This review summarises the knowledge on the main P. freudenreichii pathways and the main features explaining its hardiness, and focuses on recent advances concerning its applications as a cheese ripening agent and as a probiotic for human health. Propionibacteria have a peculiar metabolism, characterised by the formation of propionic acid as main fermentation end-product. They have few nutritional requirements and are able to use a variety of carbon substrates. From the sequence of P. freudenreichii CIRM-BIA1^T genome, many pathways were reconstituted, including the Wood-Werkman cycle, enzymes of the respiratory chain, synthesis pathways for all amino acids and many vitamins including vitamin B₁₂. P. freudenreichii displays features allowing its long-term survival. It accumulates inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) as energy reserve, carbon storage compounds (glycogen), and compatible solutes such as trehalose. In cheese, P. freudenreichii plays an essential role in the production of a variety of flavour compounds, including not only propionic acid, but also free fatty acids released via lipolysis of milk glycerides and methyl-butanoic acids resulting from amino acid degradation. P. freudenreichii can exert health-promoting activities, such as a bifidogenic effect in the human gut and promising immunomodulatory effects. Many P. freudenreichii properties involved in adaptation, cheese ripening, bio-preservation and probiotic effects are highly strain-dependent. The elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved is now facilitated by the availability of genome sequence and molecular tools. It will help in the selection of the most appropriate strain for each application.     

Fruit juice-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations in isolated porcine coronary arteries: evaluation of different fruit juices and purees and optimization of a red fruit juice blend

Numerous studies have indicated that several polyphenol-rich sources such as red wine and green tea are potent inducers of endothelium-dependent relaxations in isolated arteries. As various fruits and berries are known to contain high levels of polyphenols, the aim of the present study was to assess the ability of selected pure fruit juices and purees as well as blends to cause endothelium-dependent relaxations in isolated arteries. Vascular reactivity was assessed using porcine coronary artery rings, and fruit juices, purees and blends were characterized for their content in vitamin C, total phenolic, sugar and antioxidant activity. Fruit juices and purees caused variable concentration-dependent relaxations, with blackcurrant, aronia, cranberry, blueberry, lingonberry, and grape being the most effective fruits. Several blends of red fruits caused endothelium-dependent relaxations. Relaxations to blend D involved both a NO- and an EDHF-mediated components. The present findings indicate that some berries and blends of red fruit juices are potent inducers of endothelium-dependent relaxations in the porcine coronary artery. This effect involves both endothelium-derived NO and EDHF, and appears to be dependent on their polyphenolic composition rather than on the polyphenolic content.     

Failure analysis defect location on a real case 55 nm memory using dynamic power supply emulation

Static and dynamic techniques for defect location are well established in the failure analysis flow of a failing integrated circuit. When a circuit shows an overconsumption on power supply, the useful static techniques are laser stimulation (OBIRCH, TIVA, LIVA, etc.) or photoemission. When the electrical signature is a soft fail, a functional fault or a timing issue the analyst will use dynamic techniques like dynamic laser mapping (SDL, xVM, LVI, etc.), dynamic photoemission or internal probing (Ebeam, TRE, LVP, etc.) by applying a looping test sequence which emulates the fail.In this paper we will present a real case analysis on a circuit showing a static signature (over consumption) and also a functional fault. Both static and dynamic location techniques have been used for the defect location, plus a non conventional approach by applying a clocked power supply sequence to the circuit. A comparison is done between the different signatures and we show that dynamic power supply emulation can bring some additional information on the defect location which is not detected with the conventional static/dynamic approach.     

Parametric study for dewetted Bridgman method: crystal–crucible gap dependence on the Bond and Laplace numbers and on contact angle

In order to analyze the dependence of the crystal-crucible gap on the Bo and La numbers, a parametric study has been performed for two different cases: the sum of the contact angle (θ _c) and the growth angle (α _e) is smaller or larger then 180°. The limit regimes of the main parameters ( La ? - ￥,  La ? + ￥,  Bo ? + ￥,  Bo ? 0 ) \left( {La \to - \infty ,\;La \to + \infty ,\;Bo \to + \infty ,\;Bo \to 0} \right) of the problem were first studied. Then the non-dimensional Laplace equation has been solved numerically in the axi-symmetric case for various values of the parameters and the results are presented as graphical plots. It is shown that the main variations of the gap thickness are localized in the intermediary regimes. Another interesting point is that the gap thickness ([(e)\tilde] ) (\tilde{e} ) shows a maximum when the Bo and La numbers are varied. For growing crystals with a uniform radius, since, by definition, the sensitivity to small variations in the relevant parameter is minimal at the maximum, it is advisable to work at the parameter values which yield a maximum gap size.     

Co-fired AlN–TiN assembly as a new substrate technology for high-temperature power electronics packaging

New wide-band gap semiconductors (SC) for power electronics such as SiC, GaN and diamond will allow higher power densities, leading to higher operating temperatures. However, the surrounding materials will also undergo an increase in temperature, meaning that a parallel effort is needed in SC packaging technologies research. One of the essential components, the substrate, is used to insulate electrically the SC from the rest of the system, drain the generated heat and provide a path to connect the SC to the rest of the system. Direct bonded copper (DBC) and active metal-brazed (AMB) substrates have limited temperature and cycling operation, owing to the large differences in the thermal expansion coefficients between the ceramics and the metals. In this work we propose a new and original substrate technology based on two co-sintered ceramics: an insulating ceramic (AlN) and a conductive one (TIN). The microstructure, the chemical compatibility and the electrical properties indicate that the proposed substrate could operate at a temperature above 200 °C the current substrate technologies, which makes it particularly attractive for high-temperature power electronics applications.     

Adaptation of Bacillus cereus,an ubiquitous worldwide-distributed foodborne pathogen,to a changing environment

Consequences of climate change on the ecology of pathogens are difficult to forecast. However changes affecting microorganisms will likely involve already known evolution or adaptation mechanisms. Bacillus cereus is a frequent cause of foodborne poisonings and is known as a soil borne bacterium. B. cereus may represent an interesting model to study the impact of climate change on foodborne pathogens. The B. cereus group (or B. cereus sensu lato) displays a wide diversity of strains recently distributed in seven major phylogenetic groups. B. cereus growth domains range from psychrotrophic to nearly thermophilic. Current climate selects B. cereus distribution: psychrotrophes are more common in cold areas, while mesophiles prevail in tropical soils. In response to external signals, B. cereus may adapt to changing environments by varied mechanisms. Some illustrations of the signal transduction systems (two-component systems, alternative σ factors) and of the mechanisms of B. cereus adaptation to major environmental factors (temperature, carbon source, redox potential and pH) are proposed. The environment of sporulation has an impact on spore properties; heat resistance is positively correlated with sporulation temperature. Surveillance needed to detect changes in the epidemiology of B. cereus foodborne poisonings as a consequence of climate change is discussed.     

Elaboration of Monophasic and Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Coatings on Ti6Al4V Substrate by Pulsed Electrodeposition Current

Calcium phosphate coatings on Ti6Al4V substrates are elaborated by pulsed electrodeposition. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the coatings are characterized by SEM–EDS. The obtained results are systematically confirmed at the nanometre scale using TEM. Moreover, XRD is performed in order to identify the coatings phases. The results show that pulsed electrodeposition allows uniform coatings to be obtained without the holes and craters usually observed with classical electrodeposition. After appropriate heat treatment, these coatings have a biphasic composition of stoichiometric hydroxyapatite and β‐tricalcium phosphate. Moreover, the addition of 9% H₂O₂ to the electrolyte leads to monophasic coatings made of stoichiometric hydroxyapatite. As an indication of the passive nature of the electrodeposited coating, electrochemical potentiodynamic tests are performed in physiological solution in order to determine the corrosion behaviour of these coatings.     

Is heat transfer governing chemical reactions in supercritical fluids?

A high pressure reactor calorimeter has been developed to study chemical reactions in supercritical fluids. Non-dimensional analysis of the heat transfer mechanism in the calorimeter verifies the application of the Nusselt correlation in scCO₂. The reactor's cover and flange have been modified to be fully temperature controlled and their contribution to the dynamic response of the calorimeter is investigated. Finally, the esterification of methanol with acetic anhydride was chosen as a model reaction and the role of heat transfer in chemical reactions in supercritical fluids is discussed.     

In vivo pharmacokinetic of amikacin and its pharmacodynamic in combination with cefepime, cefpirome and meropenem in an in vitro/ex vivo micropig model

Thirty patients with laryngeal tumors were divided into two groups on the basis of whether clinical and pathological features indicated good or bad prognosis. Samples of each tumor group were selected and examined by immunohistochemistry using mAbs, raised against integrin chains (beta 1, beta 4, alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 6) and their ligands laminin 1 and 5, collagen type IV, two fibronectin isoforms (ED-A and ED-B) and two isoforms of tenascin known to be associated with neoplasm. Controls were provided by samples of tumor-free laryngeal mucosa removed during the surgical procedure. The normal topographical integrin pattern and the continuity of the basement membrane components was altered in both groups but the extent of these changes was significantly greater in those tumors with poor prognosis. Therefore, the groups could easily and reliably be distinguished by simply observing their immunohistochemical features. It is suggested that performing immunohistochemical analysis on biopsies may aid in early diagnosis as well as in adopting the proper therapeutic strategy to follow for these tumors. The above molecules may become one of the diagnostic tools available for head and neck surgical pathologists.