Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on contact lens wear in Spain

PurposeTo investigate the behaviour of contact lens (CL) wearers in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAn anonymized web-based questionnaire was used to assess demographics, CL history, and activity, CL wear habits and perceived risk of infection due to CL wear during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsA total of 737 participants with an average age of 27.4 (±9.3) years completed the online questionnaire. The vast majority of respondents were soft CL wearers and reported at least two years of CL wear. Patients concerns about the increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to CL wear (40.6 % of participants) were significantly related (χ²(1) = 11.195, p < 0.05) to CL discontinuation (46 % of participants) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This fact joins the significant changes in the frequency of CL wear during the COVID-19 pandemic (χ²(4) = 31.982, p < 0.05), with a tendency to increase occasional CL wear from 29.1 % to 61.8 %. Interestingly, the majority of respondent (87.9 %) indicated that no professional had offered them information related to CL wear and COVID-19, and that they had not sought it on their own (82.2 %).ConclusionThere is a relationship between the perceived risk of infection and CL dropout during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a tendency to change the CL frequency of wear, with an increase in occasional CL wear. During the ongoing pandemic, eye care practitioners should reinforce CL patient education to minimize the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and CL-related complications requiring clinical care.     

采用计算机模拟技术评估花生蛋白作为新冠疫情期间营养补充剂的潜力

该研究探讨了花生蛋白作为新冠疫情期间营养补充剂的潜力。首先,对花生蛋白的分类进行简要综述,筛选出花生中含有的代表性蛋白（Ara h1、Ara h2、Ara h3、Ara h6、伴花生球蛋白A和伴花生球蛋白B）,同时通过计算机模拟胃肠道蛋白酶对上述6种花生蛋白进行水解,得到了大量的活性肽,然后,将活性肽与SARS-CoV-2 Mpro进行对接,从而评估上述6种花生蛋白与SARS-CoV-2 Mpro的结合能力。结果表明,上述6种花生蛋白的水解度均在34.97%~38.11%,其中Arah2与SARS-CoV-2 Mpro的结合效果最佳（F值>6.67%）,其次是Ara h6（F=4.73%）;此外,寡肽PCAQR、CQSQL、PCEQH、IQQGR与SARS-CoV-2 Mpro的结合效果较好（对接分数≤-140）。综上所述,在疫情期间补充花生蛋白可能对新冠病毒潜在感染者有帮助,所鉴定的寡肽有潜力成为新冠病毒的抑制剂。     

免疫营养在COVID-19综合治疗中的辅助作用与应用前景

当前,由新型冠状病毒SARS-CoV-2引起的新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)大流行已在全球蔓延。除了隔离之外,迫切需要采取能够降低感染和死亡风险的公共卫生措施。营养不良和导致患者免疫功能低下的各种非传染性基础疾病(如肥胖症、糖尿病、心血管疾病等)是重症COVID-19的重要危险因素。应用免疫营养手段,补充具有药理学作用的特殊营养素,以特定方式刺激免疫细胞,增强免疫应答功能,维持适度的免疫反应,调整细胞因子的产生和释放,减轻有害或过度炎症反应,对COVID-19患者预后具有积极意义。本文就维生素、矿物元素、多不饱和脂肪酸、膳食纤维等免疫营养素在降低呼吸道感染风险中的作用,以及免疫营养在COVID-19中应用现状做一综述,以期为免疫营养在COVID-19综合治疗中的辅助作用提供可靠参考依据。     

新冠疫情下浙江省食源性疾病暴发事件流行病学特征分析

目的 分析新冠疫情下浙江省食源性疾病暴发事件流行病学特征。方法 收集2020年浙江省11个地市食源性疾病暴发事件上报资料,采用描述性流行病学方法对资料进行分析。结果 2020年,浙江省11个地市通过食源性疾病暴发监测系统报告201起事件,总发病人数1 765人,住院138人,死亡1人。由于新冠疫情的影响,暴发高峰有两个,分别在6月和8月。暴发场所以家庭（47.76%,96/201）、宾馆饭店（12.94%,26/201）、单位食堂（12.44%,25/201）、学校食堂（8.46%,17/201）及小餐馆（7.96%,16/201）为主,宾馆饭店占比较往年有所降低。致病菌是引起食源性疾病暴发的首要致病因素,主要致病菌有副溶血性弧菌（37.88%,25/66）和沙门菌（28.79%,19/66）。2020年副溶血性弧菌致病占比下降,为近5年最低。毒蘑菇中毒事件共报告40起,未导致死亡,中毒类型主要为胃肠炎型。结论 应加强食品安全监管和健康宣传教育,并根据不同致病因素的流行病学特征,采取有针对性的防控措施,降低食源性疾病的负担。     

Influence of organic selenium supplementation on the accumulation of toxic and essential trace elements involved in the antioxidant system of chicken

The aim of the study was to investigate the interactions between selenium (Se) and various trace elements, both toxic and essential, involved in the antioxidant system. A total of 128?day-old chicks (Gallus gallus, broilers) were used to investigate the effect of Se yeast supplementation on the accumulation of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). There were four replicates of four dietary treatments: T1 (basal diet with no added Se, analyzed to contain 0.21?mg?kg^?1), T2 (T1 with 0.15?mg?kg^?1 Se added), T3 (T1 with 0.3?mg?kg^?1 Se) and T4 (T1 with 3.0?mg?kg^?1 Se). At week 4 and 6, two chickens per replicate pen were sacrificed for whole blood, breast muscle and liver sampling. Samples were analyzed by ICP–MS. Supplementation with Se-yeast, not only increased Se concentration but also reduced Cd concentration in the tissues. Selenium was negatively correlated with Cd and positively correlated with Zn, Cu and Fe. Cadmium was negatively correlated with Zn and Cu. Zinc was positively correlated with Cu. Iron was negatively correlated with Cu and uncorrelated with Zn and Cd. The balance between Se, Cu, Fe and Zn is important for proper antioxidant defense since they are an integral part of various antioxidant enzymes.     

Potential for increasing the amounts of bioavailable zinc in dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) through plant breeding

A whole‐body radioassay procedure was used to assess the bioavailability to rats of zinc (Zn) in seeds of 18 genotypes of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) that were grown hydroponically. Dry beans that were labelled intrinsically with ⁶⁵Zn were added to test meals fed to rats that were marginally Zn‐deficient. The amount of Zn in the seeds varied between genotypes and ranged from 26.7 to 62.4 µg g^?1 (from 0.41 to 0.95 µmol g^?1) dry weight (DW). Similarly, the amount of iron (Fe) in the beans varied nearly twofold (from 52.3 to 96.3 µg g^?1 DW), and Zn and Fe concentrations were positively correlated. Concentrations of myo‐inositolhexaphosphate (IP6) plus myo‐inositolpentaphosphate (IP5) varied from 18.1 to 27.3 µmol g^?1 DW. Cultivars with white‐coloured seeds contained relatively small amounts of tannins varying from 0.12 to 0.16 mg g^?1 DW (determined as catechin equivalents) compared to those with coloured seed coats (up to 2.58 mg g^?1 DW). All rats readily ate the test meals so that Zn intake varied directly with seed‐Zn concentration. As indicated by ⁶⁵Zn absorption, the bioavailability to rats of Zn in the seeds varied between genotypes and ranged from about 78 to 95% of the total Zn in the seeds. The bioavailability of Zn to marginally Zn‐deficient rats was not affected markedly by either IP5 + IP6 or tannin in the dry beans. These results demonstrate that the concentration of Zn in dry beans can be increased through traditional plant‐breeding techniques and that this may result in significant increases in the amount of bioavailable Zn in the beans. Increasing the amount of Zn in beans may contribute significantly to improving the Zn status of individuals dependent on beans as a staple food. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

石金钱龟低聚肽制备工艺优化及其抑制新冠病毒的潜能

为了探究石金钱龟低聚肽作为新冠肺炎病毒（SARS-CoV-2）药物开发原料的可能性,该研究用“风味蛋白酶+木瓜蛋白酶”组合对龟肉进行酶解,通过不同酶配比、加酶量、pH和酶解时间的单因素实验和正交实验确定最优工艺条件,制备出石金钱龟低聚肽。再通过HPLC-MS分离、Peak Studio解析、Peptide Ranker活性预测逐步筛选出活性较高的低聚肽,最后进行各低聚肽序列与SARS-COV-2棘突蛋白（S蛋白）的分子对接。结果显示,最佳工艺参数为风味蛋白酶:木瓜蛋白酶=7:3、加酶量7%、pH 5.5、酶解时间4 h,此时的水解度为42.56%;Peak Studio解析出可信度（ALC）>90%的肽共510条,经Peptide Ranker生物活性评估后筛选出6条低聚肽与S蛋白分子对接,低聚肽序列分别为：LDFFK、LDFFKAL、FRVL、AFRVL、AGGKPFQ、SPFRVT,其Docking Score 在-138.50~-169.68之间,其中LDFFKAL的Docking Score最低,为-169.68,说明该低聚肽抑制新冠肺炎病毒的潜能最强。总的来说,经工艺优化后石金钱龟龟肉的水解度大大增加,且制得的石金钱龟低聚肽有较强的抑制新冠肺炎病毒的潜能。     

Promoting dairy products through the web: The case of Pecorino Siciliano PDO during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study analyses the digital marketing tools that companies producing Pecorino Siciliano with a protected designation of origin (PDO) are implementing on the web through their corporate website and their brand page on Facebook. It aims to verify whether companies are adapting (or not) to new trends in web marketing and e-commerce. The quality of corporate websites was assessed during the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of usability and amount of activity on Facebook brand pages by Pecorino Siciliano PDO-producing companies. Analysed data show that the companies producing Pecorino Siciliano PDO fell short in developing their web-marketing tools, demonstrating their poor adaptation to the new digitalisation trends driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.     

基于危害分析与关键控制点原理的进出口冷链食品生产加工企业新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情防控应用研究

基于危害分析与关键控制点(hazard analysis critical control point,HACCP)原理,将新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV-2)作为一种非传统的食品安全风险加以分析研究,并将食品生产企业员工的活动纳入整个冷链食品生产的全流程进行危害分析,确定疫情防控形势下从业人员免受感染和产品免受污染的...     

Understanding the importance and timing of panic buying among U.S. Households during the COVID-19 pandemic

The surge in panic buying during the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led to a temporary shortage of several staples and basic supplies in grocery stores, thus limiting the public’s access to basic needs and exacerbating stress and anxiety. The negative societal consequences of panic buying highlight the importance of understanding and planning for such behavior. This study investigates the main factors that correlate with the perceived importance and timing of panic buying decisions in the US. In doing so, we provide a breakdown of the importance of panic buying across a list of common food and non-food grocery items and show a considerable variation based on product type. We also uncover heterogeneities in the importance and timing of panic buying based on demographic and behavioral characteristics, including residence area, household size, presence of children and elderly in the household, household income, ethnicity, and specific views about COVID-19. Finally, we analyze correlations between the importance of panic buying and various motivations that are believed to underlie this behavior. Results show that the perceived importance of panic buying is most heavily associated with the need for control, belief that it is the smart thing to do, and urge to minimize number of trips to grocery stores.     

Investigation of the Antiviral Effects of Saussurea lappa Root Extract against SARS-CoV-2 Virus

Scope

The purpose of this study was to look into the antiviral activity of a plant extract derived from the roots of the Saussurea lappa as a food supplement against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods and results

Vero E6 cells are employed in the study to test the neutralizing effect of Saussurea lappa extract against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. For anti-viral activity detection, a sensitive real-time cell analyzer (xCELLigence RTCA) with a high repetition rate is used. A challenge experiment in mice is planned as a result of the in vitro analysis. A challenge test against SARS-CoV-2 is performed with 10 adult female K18-hACE2 transgenic mice in each group for this purpose. The mice in the S. lappa Group are gavaged 2 days before the virus is administered intranasally (i.n.). The control group received PBS instead of the extract. SARS-CoV-2 virus is administered i.n. under anesthesia for the first 3 days of the experiment, and S. lappa extract was administered by gavage in the afternoon. On the 10th day, mice in the S. lappa group survived the study, whereas animals in the control group grew ill and/or died. In this study, the extract protects the mice against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in 90% of the cases.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the Saussurea plant has antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and in animal models.     

Potential of non‐GMO biofortified pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) for increasing iron and zinc content and their estimated bioavailability during abrasive decortication

Two non‐GMO biofortified and one traditional pearl millet varieties were compared in abrasive decortication studies to evaluate their potential for increasing iron and zinc content. The phytate‐to‐mineral ratios were used to estimate mineral bioavailability. Iron and zinc contents in the biofortified varieties Tabi and GB8735 were two to threefold higher than in the traditional variety. Iron content reached 7.2 and 6.7 mg per 100 g DM in the biofortified varieties, which corresponds to the target values of biofortification programs. Zinc content was, respectively, 5.6 and 4.1 mg per 100 g DM in the GB8735 and Tabi varieties. Because of the presence of phytate and other chelating factors that were only partially removed during decortication, there was no improvement in iron bioavailability in the biofortified varieties. But whatever extraction rate, phytate‐to‐zinc ratios ranged between 6 and 18; zinc absorption could be improved by using these biofortified varieties for food processing.     

利用冷榨芝麻蛋白酶解物制备短肽螯合锌的条件优化

利用木瓜蛋白酶对冷榨芝麻蛋白进行水解制备短肽。采用L16(45)正交实验探究了各因素对水解度的综合影响,得出最佳工艺参数:底物浓度4%,加酶量1 500 U/g,p H 9.0,温度60℃,时间3 h,在此条件下水解度为14.98%。所得水解液与硫酸锌螯合,采用L9(34)正交实验探究了各因素对螯合率的综合影响,得出最佳工艺参数:加锌比例1∶2,p H 7,温度60℃,高速搅拌,在此条件下螯合锌得率为71.1%。采用乙醇纯化制得的螯合锌,产品纯度99.3%,锌含量达到15.62%。     

Potential of Cultivated Ganoderma lucidum Mushrooms for the Production of Supplements Enriched with Essential Elements

Ganoderma lucidum is an important medicinal mushroom species and there is continuous interest in its bioactive properties. This study evaluated whether it may additionally serve as a nutritional supplement for the trace elements: selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). Mushrooms were cultivated on substrates enriched with 0.1 to 0.8 mM of inorganic Se alone or in combination with Zn and/or Cu. Supplementation increased accumulation of the elements in fruiting bodies regardless of the applied cultivation model. G. lucidum demonstrated the ability to accumulate significant amounts of organic Se, maximally amounting to (i) over 44 mg/kg when the substrate was supplemented only with Se, (ii) over 20 mg/kg in the Se+Cu model, (iii) over 25 mg/kg in the Se+Zn model, and (iv) 15 mg/kg in the Se+Cu+Zn model. The accumulation of Cu and Zn steadily increased with their initial substrate concentrations. Maximum concentrations found after supplementation with 0.8 mM amounted to over 55 mg/kg (Se+Zn) and 52 mg/kg (Se+Cu+Zn) of Zn, and 29 mg/kg (Se+Cu) and over 31 mg/kg (Se+Cu+Zn) of Cu. The greater the supplemented concentration and number of supplemented elements, the lower the biomass of G. lucidum fruiting bodies. Nevertheless, it still remained high when the substrate was supplemented up to 0.4 mM with each element. These results highlight that G. lucidum can easily incorporate elements from the substrate and that, when biofortified, its dried fruiting bodies may serve as a nutritional source of these essential elements.     

A Comparison of the Antioxidant Potential of Wine and Beer

The antioxidant properties of two beers (an ale and a lager) and of two wines (a red Cabernet Sauvignon, and a white Chardonnay) have been compared using a range of assays: the Trolox assay, superoxide scavenging, hydroxyl scavenging and β‐carotene bleaching. When compared on an ‘as is’ basis, the red wine was shown to contain much more antioxidant potential than the other beverages with all the assays except the β‐carotene bleaching assay, which compares the ability of agents to prevent lipid oxidation. In this assay, beer performed best. When the beverages were compared on an equivalence of polyphenol basis, the superior performance of red wine was not evident, indeed white wine was the most potent in the Trolox assay and the superoxide scavenging tests, with beer again proving its superiority in the β‐carotene bleaching test. The study highlights the pitfalls of simply assuming that the superior performance of one product in a single assay means that it is inherently preferable as a source of antioxidants and pertinent issues remain the ability of the anti‐oxidants to access the tissues where they can exert a beneficial effect and the mode in which a substance needs to act in order to have a desirable impact on bodily health.     

纳米氧化锌整理织物在汗液中的溶出性测试方法研究

提出了利用原子吸收分光光度法(AAS)测定纳米氧化锌整理抗菌纯棉织物耐久性的新方法.通过测定"一浴连续洗涤法"脚水中的锌含量,利用锌半减量时间t1/2来评价该织物在汗液中的溶出性大小,并以此作为评价纳米纺织品的安全性依据之一.     

Potential benefits of early-life supplementation of liquid feed with fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds or oregano (Origanum vulgare) leaves on growth,health, and blood metabolites in Holstein dairy calves

This study was performed to determine the early-life (first month of age) supplementation of liquid feed with fennel seed powder (FSP) or oregano leaf powder (OLP) on growth performance, health, and blood biochemical attributes in preweaning dairy calves. Holstein female calves (n = 57; 1 d of age; 34.1 ± 0.97 kg of BW; mean ± SE) were assigned randomly to receive liquid feed (colostrum and milk) with no added herbal plants (CON) or supplemented with FSP (3 g/d) or OLP (30 g/d) during the first month of age. The calves received pooled colostrum (4.5 kg/d on the first 2 d of life; total solids = 25.0% ± 1.24; mean ± SD) and then pooled waste milk (6 kg/d from d 3 to 44, 5 kg/d from d 45 to 46, 4 kg/d from d 47 to 48, and 3 kg/d from d 49 to 50 of the trial; total solids = 12.54% ± 0.50) to ensure they receive same mixed liquid feed daily. The calves had unlimited access to the starter feed and fresh water and remained in the study until weaning on d 51 of age. The average mean temperature-humidity index was 70.1 units (ranging between 61.9 to 78.2) during the experiment, indicating a borderline degree of environmental heat-load. The amount of starter feed offered and refused was recorded daily. The calves were weighed immediately after birth and every 10 d thereafter, before the morning feeding. Jugular blood samples were taken immediately before and 24 h after colostrum feeding, at first month of age, and at weaning to quantify serum concentrations of glucose, urea N, cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins, albumin, globulin, aspartate transferase, alanine transferase, total antioxidant status, and malondialdehyde. Health checks including rectal temperature, general appearance (on a 1–5 score system), fecal score (on a 1–5 score system), and bovine respiratory disease (BRD; scored using the University of Wisconsin Calf Health Chart) were performed daily, by a veterinarian who was unaware of the calf treatment allocations, for all calves over the study period. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare growth performance and blood metabolites among treatment groups, and a logistic regression model using a binomial distribution (PROC GLIMMIX, SAS v. 9.4, SAS Institute Inc.) was used to assess the chance of elevated rectal temperature (≥39.4°C), general appearance (≥2), diarrhea (≥3), and BRD. A Poisson regression model (PROC GENMOD) was also used to test group differences in the experience of days with elevated rectal temperature and general appearance, and frequency and duration of diarrhea or BRD. Total nutrient intake (DM, CP, and ME, but not ether extract) originating from milk and starter feed was greater in OLP- (but not FSP-) supplemented calves compared with CON group, being partially associated with difference in milk refusal. Calves receiving FSP and OLP had greater average daily gain, BW gain, skeletal gain (withers height or heart girth, respectively), and feed efficiency compared with CON animals with no difference between FSP and OLP. Rectal temperature was lower in FSP- (but not OLP-) supplemented calves compared with CON animals. The CON animals had a greater chance of experiencing higher rectal temperature (≥39.4°C; odds ratio = 1.55 and confidence interval = 1.12–2.15 and odds ratio = 1.33 and confidence interval = 0.92–1.90, respectively, compared with FSP and OLP) and general appearance (≥2; odds ratio = 1.99 and confidence interval = 1.45–2.74 and odds ratio = 1.45 and confidence interval = 1.03–2.05), and diarrhea (odds ratio = 1.47 and confidence interval = 1.11–1.97 and odds ratio = 1.49 and confidence interval = 1.07–2.08) compared with those receiving FSP or OLP; with the chance of BRD being lower in FSP- (but not OLP-) supplemented versus CON animals (odds ratio = 1.59 and confidence interval = 1.13–2.23). As compared with OLP and CON groups, FSP treatment resulted in shorter days with elevated rectal temperature and general appearance. Supplementing FSP or OLP decreased the duration of diarrhea and BRD but not their frequency compared with CON. Duration of diarrhea was not different between FSP- or OLP-supplemented calves but calves supplemented with FSP had shorter days with BRD compared with OLP-supplemented calves. Of the blood constituents measured on d 30, concentration of aspartate transferase was higher in FSP- (but not CON) versus OLP-supplemented calves, indicating a transient liver tissue damage or dysfunction which was subsequently ameliorated. At weaning, blood concentration of triglycerides was higher in FSP and OLP groups compared with CON group. Supplementation of the liquid feed with FSP or OLP, especially FSP, had beneficial effects on calf growth performance and health. Further experiments are warranted for optimizing the dosage and duration of feeding FSP or OLP as feed additives for dairy calves.     

口罩对新冠病毒的防护作用及灭菌后重复使用方法

近期,一种归因于新型冠状病毒的NARS(新型急性呼吸综合征)正在全球尤其是中国快速蔓延,病毒的防护急需大量口罩,但是全球市场口罩紧缺。医用口罩和N 95呼吸器(口罩)一直被广泛用于防止空气传播疾病,这两种口罩的过滤层都由荷电熔喷(MB)聚丙烯(PP)非织造布驻极体构成。简要介绍了口罩的分类、结构、医用防护性能和选择方法,并基于其过滤机理提出了简便可行的口罩消毒方法,以便正确选择、使用和重复使用口罩,抗击当前正在全球蔓延的新冠病毒。     

Influence of different crop management practices on the nutritional properties and benefits of tomato ‐Lycopersicon esculentum cv Perfectpeel‐

In this study, we have explored the relationship between the cultivation method and the concentration of major flavonoid aglycones, hydroxycinnamic acids, carotenoids and the total antioxidant activity of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv Perfectpeel); in addition, we have investigated the bioactivity of polyphenol extracts from tomato. The main polyphenols in extracts were quercetin (33.90 ± 6.31 mg kg^?1 and 17.92 ± 1.09 mg kg^?1 in conventional and organic extracts), chlorogenic acid (3.52 ± 0.74 mg kg^?1 and 2.82 ± 0.92 mg kg^?1 in conventional and organic extracts) and caffeic acid (3.61 ± 0.71 mg kg^?1 and 3.29 ± 0.33 mg kg^?1 in conventional and organic extracts). Although statistical differences were found between organic and conventional extracts in several target compounds, no difference in biological effect was observed using cell models. The observed Trans Epithelial Electrical Resistance values were not significantly different between organic and conventional tomato extracts, but we have observed, in both samples, a decrease in tight‐junction permeability at 17 μm of polyphenol concentrations. Antioxidant compounds entering within the cell could exert an antioxidant action, nevertheless at concentrations >17 μm could have a pro‐oxidant effect.