Particle Size of Milk Protein Concentrate Powder Affects the Texture of High-Protein Nutrition Bars During Storage

Milk protein concentrate powder with 85% protein (MPC85) was jet-milled to give 2 particle size distributions (that is, JM-Coarse and JM-Fine) or freeze-dried (FD), in order to improve the functional properties of MPC85 for use in high-protein nutrition (HPN) bars. Volume-weighted mean diameter decreased from 86 μm to 49, 22, and 8 μm in FD, JM-Coarse, and JM-Fine, respectively (P < 0.05). The MPC85 powders modified by jet-milling and freeze-drying were significantly denser than the control MPC85 (P < 0.05). Volume of occluded air in the modified powders decreased (P < 0.05) by an order of magnitude, yet only FD possessed a lower volume of interstitial air (P < 0.05). Particle size reduction and freeze-drying MPC85 decreased its water holding capacity and improved its dispersibility by at least 20%. Contact angle measurements showed that these modifications increased initial hydrophobicity and did not improve wettability. HPN bars made from JM-Fine or FD were firmer by 40 or 17 N, respectively, than the control on day 0 (P < 0.05). HPN bar maximum compressive force increased by 38%, 33%, and 242% after 42 d at 32 °C when formulated with JM-Fine, FD, or control MPC85, respectively. HPN bars prepared with JM-Fine were less crumbly than those formulated with control or FD MPC85. Physically altering the particle structure of MPC85 improved its ability to plasticize within HPN bars and this improved their cohesiveness and textural stability.

Alternative BCG delivery strategies improve protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in non-human primates: Protection associated with mycobacterial antigen-specific CD4 effector memory T-cell populations

Intradermal (ID) BCG injection provides incomplete protection against TB in humans and experimental models. Alternative BCG vaccination strategies may improve protection in model species, including rhesus macaques. This study compares the immunogenicity and efficacy of BCG administered by ID and intravenous (IV) injection, or as an intratracheal mucosal boost (ID + IT), against aerosol challenge with Mycobacterium tuberculosis Erdman strain. Disease pathology was significantly reduced, and survival improved, by each BCG vaccination strategy, relative to unvaccinated animals. However, IV induced protection surpassed that achieved by all other routes, providing an opportunity to explore protective immunological mechanisms using antigen-specific IFN-γ ELISpot and polychromatic flow cytometry assays. IFN-γ spot forming units and multifunctional CD4 T-cell frequencies increased significantly following each vaccination regimen and were greatest following IV immunisation. Vaccine-induced multifunctional CD4 T-cells producing IFN-γ and TNF-α were associated with reduced disease pathology following subsequent M.tb challenge; however, high frequencies of this population following M.tb infection correlated with increased pathology. Cytokine producing T-cells primarily occupied the CD4 transitional effector memory phenotype, implicating this population as central to the mycobacterial response, potentially contributing to the stringent control observed in IV vaccinated animals. This study demonstrates the protective efficacy of IV BCG vaccination in rhesus macaques, offering a valuable tool for the interrogation of immunological mechanisms and potential correlates of protection.

Acceptability of Queso Fresco Cheese by Traditional and Nontraditional Consumers

Four replicate batches of high- and low-salt queso fresco cheeses were made to comnpare consumer preferences. Seven trained panelists judged specific attributes of the eight cheeses. Untrained consumers (395) at three Washington state locations noted how much they liked or disliked the same cheeses. Thirty-three percent of the surveyed population was Hispanic, and 45% were familiar with queso fresco. All cheeses, except the one containing the highest percent salt and the highest pH, were liked slightly to moderately. Traditional consumers (either Hispanic or those familiar with queso fresco) preferred high-saltlhigh-pH cheeses to a greater extent than nontraditional consumers. Nontraditional consumers preferred low-salt/low-pH cheeses. The same preference trends were noted for all ages and at all three geographical locations. Queso fresco with 1.4-2.4% salt and a pH between 5.4-6.1 was most acceptable to the widest range of consumers.

Evaluation of the Dade Behring Syva® EMIT 2000 tacrolimus assay on the Bayer Advia 1650

Background: The Dade Behring Syva® EMIT (enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique) method for the measurement of tacrolimus in whole blood was evaluated against the Abbott IMx® microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) method. EMIT measures tacrolimus colorimetrically, whereas MEIA measures the analyte using fluorimetry. Both methods incorporate a protein precipitation step prior to measurement.

Method: Whole blood specimens were treated by two types of precipitation technique followed by analysis for tacrolimus by either MEIA or EMIT on the Bayer Advia 1650. Linearity and precision were assessed and correlation analysis performed to evaluate the EMIT assay on the Bayer Advia 1650.

Results: The EMIT tacrolimus assay was linear over the concentration range 0.0-22.0 µg/L; the limit of detection was 1.2 µg/L. Correlation between the Syva EMIT and IMx tacrolimus assays was excellent ( r = 0.959) and no significant bias existed between the two methods (mean difference, δ = 0.221 µg/L). Calibration data for the EMIT assay was stable for a period of 24-48 h on the Advia between runs.

Conclusion: The Syva EMIT assay for the measurement of tacrolimus in whole blood is suited for daily routine use on the Bayer Advia 1650.

Correlation of the functional difficulties questionnaire (FDQ-9) with dynamic balance using the SMART instrumented wobbleboard

OBJECTIVES

To investigate concurrent validity of the Functional Difficulties Questionnaire (FDQ-9) using balance tasks on the SMARTwobbleboard. Poor balance is associated with reduced physical activity which may impact on quality of life. There is a requirement to use simple tests to assess balance so that suitable interventions can be employed to ameliorate poor balance and enhance uptake of physical activity.

DESIGN

Observational study employing 30 healthy volunteers who completed the FDQ-9 and undertook three balance tasks on the SMARTwobbleboard: double leg stance eyes open (DLSEO); double leg stance eyes closed (DLSEC) and single leg stance eyes open (SLSEO).

RESULTS

There were moderate significant correlations between the FDQ-9 and DLSEO and SLSEO. There were significant between group differences in dynamic balance for participants with FDQ-9 ≤ 18 (indicative of no functional difficulties) and FDQ-9 ≥ 19 (indicative of one or more functional difficulties) for DLSEO and SLSEO.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant moderate correlations were recorded between the FDQ-9 and the SMARTwobbleboard in healthy adults indicating a relationship between dynamic balance and questionnaire scores (DLSEO and SLSEO). Initial findings contribute to the concurrent validity of the FDQ-9 which could also be used as a simple tool for assessing balance.

Reduced healthcare utilization following successful hepatitis C virus treatment in HIV-co-infected patients with mild liver disease

New direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have achieved high cure rates in many patient groups previously considered difficult-to-treat, including those HIV/HCV co-infected. The high price of these medications is likely to limit access to treatment, at least in the short term. Early treatment priority is likely to be given to those with advanced disease, but a more detailed understanding of the potential benefits in treating those with mild disease is needed. We hypothesized that successful HCV treatment within a co-infected population with mild liver disease would lead to a reduction in the use and costs of healthcare services in the 5 years following treatment completion. We performed a retrospective cohort study of HIV/HCV-co-infected patients without evidence of fibrosis/cirrhosis who received a course of HCV therapy between 2004 and 2013. Detailed analysis of healthcare utilization up to 5 years following treatment for each patient using clinical and electronic records was used to estimate healthcare costs. Sixty-three patients were investigated, of whom 48 of 63 (76.2%) achieved sustained virological response 12 weeks following completion of therapy (SVR12). Individuals achieving SVR12 incurred lower health utilization costs (£5,000 per-patient) compared to (£10 775 per-patient) non-SVR patients in the 5 years after treatment. Healthcare utilization rates and costs in the immediate 5 years following treatment were significantly higher in co-infected patients with mild disease that failed to achieve SVR12. These data suggest additional value to achieving cure beyond the prevention of complications of disease.