Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a fresh meat pork production chain

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on different stages of a fresh pork production chain to reveal potential carryover from live animals to meat. Samples were collected at different stages of the production process in a large German abattoir with an integrated processing unit for fresh pork. Samples included nasal swabs from pigs at stunning, environmental samples from the slaughter line, surface samples from carcasses, environmental and meat samples from the processing unit, and samples from final products. Samples were analyzed with an established two-step selective enrichment method, and isolates were characterized with respect to their S. aureus protein A gene (spa) and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec; which harbors the mecA gene) types. Contamination rate was highest (64.7%) in nasal swabs and lower (6.0%) on carcasses, meat at processing (4.2%), and final products (2.8%). Environmental samples were positive along the slaughter line (12%) but not in the processing unit. spa types t011 and t034 and SCCmec type V predominated the isolates. Heterogeneity of spa types was highest in nasal swabs. Results show that methicillin-resistant S. aureus can be identified at all stages of the production chain. Further studies are needed to identify potential control points to reduce the carryover from farm animals to the final products.     

Validation and collaborative study of a P35S and T-nos duplex real-time PCR screening method to detect genetically modified organisms in food products

In this work the intra and inter-laboratory validation of a duplex real-time PCR screening method for the detection of genetically modified (gm) plants is described. Target DNA sequences from Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S promoter (P35S) and nos-terminator from Agrobacterium tumefaciens (T-nos) are amplified. The duplex real-time PCR method is using primer and probe sequences that have already been published for the individual (“single”) detection of both target sequences. The validation showed sensitivity comparable to the single PCR standard methods. In addition, combined with a reference gene and using reference standard material, the method can be used to semiquantitatively estimate the amount of gm plants in an unknown sample.     

Native low-density lipoprotein (LDL) induces the expression of the early growth response gene-1 in human umbilical arterial endothelial cells

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is thought to be involved in the growth of various cell types including human endothelial cells. Nevertheless, little is known about the signal transduction mechanisms underlying the growth-promoting effects of LDL in endothelial cells. Furthermore, the question whether native LDL participates in the described effects remains unanswered. Here, we show that native LDL induces a dose-dependent elevation in free intracellular Ca(2+)-concentration ([Ca2+]i) as well as a rapid and prolonged increase in intracellular pH (pHi) in human umbilical arterial endothelial cells (HUAEC). Native LDL induces a dose-dependent increase of early growth response gene-1 (egr-1) mRNA expression. The effect is maximal 30 min after addition of LDL to the culture medium. Moreover, native LDL causes an increase in DNA-synthesis and cell proliferation. In addition, the effect of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) on HUAEC proliferation was enhanced by native LDL.     

A novel approach to determine wet restitution coefficients through a unified correlation and energy analysis

Wet particle interactions are observed in many applications, for example, pharmaceutical, food, agricultural, polymerization, agglomeration, and coating, in which an accurate evaluation of the wet restitution coefficient (e_wet) is crucial to understand the particle flowability, operating conditions and product size distribution. Experiments were performed to measure the wet restitution coefficient by impacting a spherical particle on a stationary plate covered with a thin liquid layer of water or glycerol solution in this work. Furthermore, novel approaches for estimation of e_wet were developed using dimensional analysis (using the Buckingham π theorem and regression analysis) in combination with energy budget analysis. In the correlation development, the dominant physical properties of solid and liquid, particle impact velocity and liquid layer thickness are grouped into well‐known dimensionless numbers viz. Reynolds, Weber and Stokes. Whereas in the energy analysis, the energy dissipation rates were determined for five distinct collision phases, that is, dipping, dry collision, undipping, formation and breakage of the liquid bridge, and added mass. The efficacy of the developed approaches was analyzed by comparing obtained results with experiments and an elastohydrodynamic model, and a modified elastohydrodynamic model. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 769–779, 2015     

Deciphering Specificity Determinants for FR900359‐Derived Gqα Inhibitors Based on Computational and Structure–Activity Studies

Direct targeting of intracellular Gα subunits of G protein‐coupled receptors by chemical tools is a challenging task in current pharmacological studies and in the development of novel therapeutic approaches. In this study we analyzed novel FR900359‐based analogs from natural sources, synthetic cyclic peptides, as well as all so‐far known G_qα inhibitors in a comprehensive study to devise a strategy for the elucidation of characteristics that determine interactions with and inhibition of G_q in the specific FR/YM‐binding pocket. Using 2D NMR spectroscopy and molecular docking we identified unique features in the macrocyclic structures responsible for binding to the target protein correlating with inhibitory activity. While all novel compounds were devoid of effects on G_i and G_s proteins, no inhibitor surpassed the biological activity of FR. This raises the question of whether depsipeptides such as FR already represent valuable chemical tools for specific inhibition of G_q and, at the same time, are suitable natural lead structures for the development of novel compounds to target Gα subunits other than G_q.     

Assessing alexithymia and related emotional ability constructs using multiple methods: Interrelationships among measures.

This study examined relationships among various measures of emotional ability reflecting different methods of assessment: self-report, clinical interview, collateral report, and emotion-relevant performance. On 140 young adults, the authors assessed self-reported alexithymia, emotional approach coping, and trait metamood skills; observer-reported alexithymia; interviewer-rated alexithymia; emotional awareness in response to vignettes; and emotional intelligence test performance. There were moderate magnitude correlations among the self-report measures, but correlations among other measures were relatively low. Confirmatory factor analyses supported a 3-factor model in which explicit self, implicit self, and explicit other measures were differentiated. These emotional ability measures do not form a unitary construct but differ as a function of the person providing the information and whether the measure is explicit or implicit. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Digital Twin of a Hierarchical CO2 Electrolyzer Gas Diffusion Electrode

The electrochemical reduction of CO₂ provides a pathway to a sustainable carbon cycle, allowing for the production of hydrocarbons critical for both chemical industry and mobility. Major engineering challenges need to be met in order to achieve efficient and large-scale CO₂ electrolysis. One central challenge is to find the optimum structure for the gas diffusion electrode at the heart of the electrolyzer. An optimum structure will achieve higher conversion efficiencies, lifetime, and product selectivity at lower cost. Critical structural properties of the electrode span the scale from nanometers to millimeters. To rationalize the optimization process, it behooves us to obtain a fully resolved multi-scale model of the electrode. This digital twin, produced by bridging scale and employing multiple imaging methods, enables the digital study, simulation, and modification of the structure of the electrode. The model is used to simulate the transport processes vital to the functioning of the electrode thus further advancing the digital twin. Subsequently, it is explored how changes to the structure affect the predicted transport properties. The digital twin presented is only supposed to be the kernel and will be complemented by numerous future works.     

First ring-trial validation of real-time PCR methods for the quantification of allergenic food ingredients

The first interlaboratory validation of two food allergen quantification methods using real-time PCR is described. Methods for the specific detection and quantification of soybean and white mustard in boiled sausages were used. Matrix-based calibrants spiked with defined amounts of soybean and white mustard were applied for quantitative evaluation. The lowest spike level of 10?mg soybean and white mustard per kilogram could reproducibly be detected. Recovery in spiked sausages was between 82 and 99?% for soy and between 80 and 93?% for mustard. Reproducibility standard deviation was in the range that would be acceptable, for example, for quantitative GMO analytical methods (<35?%).