The first quick olfactory test specific for Alzheimer's disease and French culture.

PURPOSE: Olfactory identification disorder is considered a promising early biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The QUICK TODA2 can be used as a short olfactory screening tool specific for French AD patients. The selection of AD specific odorants and the design of this screening were the main objectives of this twofold study. METHODS: In study 1, the TODA2 olfactory test was administered to 43 mild-AD patients and 45 healthy controls (HC) in five memory centres in France. The selection of AD specific odorants was based on the differences in the proportion of correct answers and in the threshold means between AD and HC groups. In study 2, another set of 19 mild-AD patient were included at the memory centre of Nice Hospital. All participants completed the olfactory assessment pipeline including the QUICK TODA2, TODA2 and Sniffin' Sticks Identification sub-Test (SST-i). The individual scores of the three tests were correlated. RESULTS: In study 1, ten TODA2 odorants could significantly differentiate AD participants from controls. We selected the six most AD-sensitive items to design the QUICK TODA2. In study 2, we reported strong significant correlations between QUICK TODA2 and TODA2 (ρ(17) = 0.68, p = 0.001**), SST-i and QUICK TODA2 (ρ(17) = 0.65, p = 0.002**), SST-i and TODA2 (ρ(17) = 0.57, p = 0.01*). CONCLUSION:  QUICK TODA2 is a 5-min non-invasive olfactory AD screening tool dedicated to French culture. Its results converge with those of longer, validated olfactory tests. It could be used as a quick screening tool in the general daily practice before an extensive assessment in memory centres.

Forgotten Perfumery Plants - Part II: New Insights into the Development of Novel Fragrant Ingredients - Hawthorn Case Study.

Naturalness is gaining ground among perfumers and the use of natural raw materials is spreading in perfumery. Forgotten perfumery plants are of concern to develop innovative and natural ingredients for modern perfume industries. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential interest of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. extracts as fragrance ingredient. To this end, various extractions, phytochemical characterizations and organoleptic evaluations of hawthorn were conducted on fresh, frozen, and dried flowering aerial parts, to identify those most likely to be of interest. More than a hundred compounds, anisaldehyde being the predominant one, were characterized for the first time in the volatile fraction, using HS-SPME-GC-MS technology. Impact of plant treatment and harvest year on the extracts were also discussed. From this work, a new and natural hawthorn-based ingredient was developed to complete the perfumers' palette.

Chemical Composition and Antiplasmodial Activity of the Essential Oil of Rhododendron subarcticum Leaves from Nunavik, Québec, Canada.

Dwarf Labrador tea, Rhododendron subarcticum Harmaja, is a popular medicinal plant in use by First Nations of Northern Canada, but its phytochemistry has remained largely unexplored. We have isolated and characterized the essential oil from a population of this species harvested near the treeline in Nunavik, Québec. Analyses by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography/flame-ionization detection (GC/FID) led to the identification of 53 compounds; the main secondary metabolites were ascaridole (64.7% of the total FID area) and p-cymene (21.1%). Such a composition resembles a chemotype observed for R. tomentosum, a close relative found mainly in Europe and Asia, but has never been attributed to R. subarcticum. Growth inhibition assays against different strains of Plasmodium falciparum (3D7, Dd2), the parasite responsible for the most severe form of malaria, were conducted with either the R. subarcticum's essential oil or the isolated ascaridole. Our results show that the essential oil's biological activity can be attributed to ascaridole as its IC50 is more than twice that of ascaridole [ascaridole's IC50 values are 147.3 nM (3D7) and 104.9 nM (Dd2)].

Separation of natural compounds using eutectic solvent-based biphasic systems and centrifugal partition chromatography.

A study on the formation of ternary biphasic systems composed of heptane, 1-butanol or ethyl acetate and type III or type V deep eutectic solvents based on levulinic acid and choline chloride or thymol was carried. Binodal curves and densities and phase compositions of phases in equilibrium for seven systems are reported. The partition coefficients of six natural compounds, namely quercetin, apigenin, coumarin, ß-ionone, retinol, and α-tocopherol, in these systems were measured. Results show that the influence of choline chloride on the partition coefficients is more significant in systems with 1-butanol or ethyl acetate than previously reported for ethanol, and that the separation of natural compounds is worst when using DES containing thymol instead of choline chloride. Based on these partition coefficients, one system composed of heptane, 1-butanol and the DES choline chloride:levulinic acid at molar ratio 1:3 was selected to be applied in centrifugal partition chromatography, and the results obtained confirmed that it allows a good separation of apigenin, coumarin, ß-ionone and α-tocopherol.

Commiphora wildii Merxm. Essential Oil: Natural Heptane Source and Co-Product Valorization.

As an alternative to fossil volatile hydrocarbon solvents used nowadays in perfumery, investigation on essential oil of Commiphora wildii Merxm. oleo gum resin as a source of heptane is reported here. Heptane, representing up to 30 wt-% of this oleo gum resin, was successfully isolated from the C. wildii essential oil, using an innovative double distillation process. Isolated heptane was then used as a solvent in order to extract some noble plants of perfumery. It was found that extracts obtained with this solvent were more promising in terms of sensory analysis than those obtained from fossil-based heptane. In addition, in order to valorize the essential oil depleted from heptane, chemical composition of this oil was found to obtain, and potential biological activity properties were studied. A total of 172 different compounds were identified by GC-MS in the remaining oil. In vitro tests-including hyaluronidase, tyrosinase, antioxidant, elastase and lipoxygenase, as well as inhibitory tests against two yeasts and 21 bacterial strains commonly found on the skin-were carried out. Overall, bioassays results suggest this heptane-depleted essential oil is a promising active ingredient for cosmetic applications.

Toward evaluation of multiresolution cortical thickness estimation with FreeSurfer, MaCRUISE, and BrainSuite.

Advances in Magnetic Resonance Imaging hardware and methodologies allow for promoting the cortical morphometry with submillimeter spatial resolution. In this paper, we generated 3D self-enhanced high-resolution (HR) MRI imaging, by adapting 1 deep learning architecture, and 3 standard pipelines, FreeSurfer, MaCRUISE, and BrainSuite, have been collectively employed to evaluate the cortical thickness. We systematically investigated the differences in cortical thickness estimation for MRI sequences at multiresolution homologously originated from the native image. It has been revealed that there systematically exhibited the preferences in determining both inner and outer cortical surfaces at higher resolution, yielding most deeper cortical surface placements toward GM/WM or GM/CSF boundaries, which directs a consistent reduction tendency of mean cortical thickness estimation; on the contrary, the lower resolution data will most probably provide a more coarse and rough evaluation in cortical surface reconstruction, resulting in a relatively thicker estimation. Although the differences of cortical thickness estimation at the diverse spatial resolution varied with one another, almost all led to roughly one-sixth to one-fifth significant reduction across the entire brain at the HR, independent to the pipelines we applied, which emphasizes on generally coherent improved accuracy in a data-independent manner and endeavors to cost-efficiency with quantitative opportunities.

Sustainable extraction of antioxidants from out-of-caliber kiwifruits.

Valorisation of discarded kiwifruits is proposed by extracting bioactive compounds using sustainable solvents namely deep eutectic solvents (DES). A screening of fifteen DES and several hydrogen bonding donor solvents was carried out. Extraction efficiency was measured in terms of antioxidant activity using DPPH and FRAP tests. The influence of solvents characteristics in particular DES structure, presence of ethanol or water, and pH of DES/water mixture on the antioxidant properties of the extracts was studied. Results show that kiwi peels extracts obtained with DES based on carboxylic acids exhibit enhanced antioxidant activity compared to conventional solvents and alcohol-based DES with a maximum DPPH scavenging activity of 42.0 mg TE/g DW. Glycerol or ethylene glycol are also efficient at extracting antioxidant compounds with DPPH scavenging activity of 33.1 and 36.7 mg TE/g DW. Finally, a chemical analysis of extracts using HPTLC revealed that most active compounds extracted are polyphenolic compounds, presumably tannins.

Characterization of Flavor Compounds in Distilled Spirits: Developing a Versatile Analytical Method Suitable for Micro-Distilleries.

Over the last few years, the development of micro-distilleries producing diverse spirits with various flavors has been observed. Versatile analytical techniques for the characterization of aroma compounds in such alcoholic beverages are therefore required. A model mixture embodying a theoretical distilled spirit was made according to the data found in literature to compare usual extraction techniques. When it was applied to the model liquor, the headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) extraction method was preferred to the liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), solid phase extraction (SPE) and stir bar/headspace sorptive extraction (SBSE/HSSE) methods according to efficiency, cost, and environmental criteria. An optimization study using the model mixture showed that the extraction was optimal with a divinylbenzene/carboxen/poly(dimethylsiloxane) DVB/CAR/PDMS fiber, during 60 min, at 35 °C and with the addition of 10% NaCl. This method was successfully applied to three different commercial liquors and led to the identification of 188 flavor compounds, including alcohols, esters, lactones, carbonyls, acetals, fatty acids, phenols, furans, aromatics, terpenoids, alkenes, and alkanes.

Anti-Aging Potential of a Rosa centifolia Stem Extract with Focus on Phytochemical Composition by Bioguided Fractionation.

Agricultural practices generate huge amounts of by-products, often simply discarded as waste that must be processed at some cost. The natural by-products revalorisation as raw material to produce high-added value ingredients for various industrial sectors may pave the way towards more sustainable industrial practices, via an optimised utilisation of natural resources. Integrating the circular economy precepts to production systems is considered to be a more and more promising management solution to significantly reduce the environmental impact of economic activities. This article discusses the valorisation of Rosa centifolia stem to produce a natural extract with cosmetic anti-aging potential. To do so, the cosmetic potential of 30 extracts obtained by maceration of agricultural by-products in a hydroalcoholic solvent was evaluated: their activities, as well as their inhibitory activities of specific enzymes were assessed in vitro to identify those that could be used effectively as anti-ageing actives while meeting the consumer's expectations in terms of sustainability, naturality, transparency and traceability.[1] A hydroalcoholic extract of R. centifolia stem revealed itself particularly promising due to its valuable anti-hyaluronidase and antioxidant activities, and its interesting anti-elastase and anti-inflammatory potential. The bio-guided fractionation of this extract allows the characterisation of three major compounds, e. g., isoquercitrin, quercitrin and euscaphic acid, never identified in R. centifolia previously.

What about using sniffin' sticks 12 items test to screen post-COVID-19 olfactory disorders?

BACKGROUND: Post-COVID-19 Olfactory impairment has a negative impact on quality of life. The Sniffin Sticks test 12 items (SST-12) can be used in quick olfactory disorders screening. Its evaluation in a post-covid-19 situation was the main objective of this work. METHODS: All patient impaired with a post-COVID olfactory loss were included while consulting to the ENT department. The clinical examination included an olfaction recovery self-assessment (VAS), a nasofibroscopy, a quality of life (QoL) assessment, the complete Sniffin' Sticks Test (SST), and the SST-12. RESULTS: Among the 54 patients included, 92% (n = 50) were correctly screened as olfactory impaired by SST-12. We report excellent correlations between SST-12 and SST (rho (52) = 0.98, p < 0.001), QoL(rho(52) = 0.33 p = 0.016), or VAS (rho(52) = 0.49, p < 0.001) assessments. CONCLUSIONS: SST-12 is a quick and reliable tool to screen large-scale population of post-COVID-19 olfactory impaired patients and could be used in a general daily clinical practice.

Chemical Composition of the Unexplored Volatile Fraction of Betula glandulosa, a Prevalent Shrub in Nunavik, Québec.

The volatile fraction of the leaves of Betula glandulosa Michx. has been investigated for its secondary metabolite composition by GC/MS and GC/FID. The rapid expansion of this shrub species in subarctic landscapes, like the ones found in Nunavik (Northern Québec, Canada), highly impacts ecosystem dynamics. Yet, despite its abundance, few phytochemical investigations have yet been conducted on this species. In this study, we present the first phytochemical investigation of the volatile metabolites of B. glandulosa leaves. Although no essential oil was isolated, volatile compounds were extracted from the hydrosol by steam distillation. The main metabolites observed were linalool (14.6-19.0 %), C6 oxylipins (known as green leaf volatiles, GLV; total of 18.2-40.2 %), eugenol (1.6-8.6 %) and α-terpineol (3.3-4.8 %). Dwarf birch is an important food source for insects and herbivores, so knowledge of its metabolite composition could help understand parts of its functional role in subarctic ecosystems. The composition of the volatile fraction could serve as marker for differentiating B. glandulosa from other dwarf birch species like Betula nana L.

New method for screening anti-Leishmania compounds in plants extracts by HPTLC-bioautography.

Leishmania genus is responsible for leishmaniasis, a group of diseases affecting 12 million people in the tropical and subtropical zone. Currently, the few drugs that are available to treat this disease are expensive and cause many side effects. Searching for new therapeutics from plant species seems to be a promising path. This work proposes an original HPTLC test against parasites, in particular on Leishmania infantum, to screen new molecules from plant extracts. The technique uses protozoa transformed to express the luciferase gene to observe the bioautogram in bioluminescence. We have developed two different test protocols based on the two dimorphic stages of the parasite. The free promastigote stage, and an intracellular stage parasitizing macrophage cells called the amastigote stage. These two stages only survive under extremely different conditions which required the development of two very different test protocols. For the promastigote free stage of the protozoa, the direct bioautography technique was chosen while for the intracellular amastigote stage, bioautography by immersion (agar overlay) was required. Amphotericine B was chosen as the reference compound for this assay. The development of each of these two tests made it possible to clearly detect areas of activity on the bioautogram, allowing a rapid and inexpensive screening of the antiparasitic properties of molecules in natural extracts.

Pilot study of the usability and functionality of a smart ph meter and a mobile medical application for urine ph monitoring. / Estudio piloto de la usabilidad y la funcionalidad de un pH-metro inteligente y una aplicación móvil de salud para la monitorización del pH urinario.

OBJECTIVES: Portable pH meters are robust and reliable tools for measuring urinary pH bypatients at home. This study evaluated the usability of a prototype smart Lit-Control® pH Meter and an associated mobile medical app, with the aim of identifying possible design and functionality issues along with usability problems among non-expert voluntary users. MATHERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one individuals of both genders, between 26 and 61 years old, tested the dyad pH meter/app for 14 days (three readings per day). The participants were asked to carry out a sequence of use of the system equivalent to what an intended user would do for urinary pH self-monitoring. At the end of the trial period, each participant filled out study questionnaires regarding the learning times, i.e. the time used by a new user to perform a task with the technology, usability, errors detected, and suggestions for improvement. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 35.4 (range, 26 to 61) years. The readings from the pH meter yielded average values of 5.72 (SD = 0.26), 6.13 (SD= 0.43), and 5.47 (SD = 1.27) for the morning, evening, and night micturitions, respectively. The time of the day with greater adherence was the morning (49.7% of all readings). The learning times were in general short as reported by the participants: 73.7% were able to register in the App, rated as the least easy task, in less than two and a half minutes. The task of uploading the pH readings, both manually and automatically, was mostly performed in less than 35 seconds. CONCLUSION: This pilot study of real-world usage pattern shows that the dyad smart Lit-Control pH meter/Appwas perceived as fit for purpose by non-expert volunteers and had no relevant functionality or usability issues that would pose a significant barrier to the intended users. New studies are ongoing in order to test the usability by patients with lithiasis history.

OBJETIVOS: Los medidores de pH (pH-metros) portátiles son herramientas precisas y fiables para determinar el pH urinario de los pacientes en su domicilio. Este estudio evaluó la usabilidad de un prototipo de pH-metro inteligente Lit-Control® y una aplicación móvil asociada (App), con el objetivo de identificar posibles problemas de diseño y funcionalidad, así como su usabilidad, entre participantes voluntarios no expertos.MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Veintiún individuos de ambos sexos, entre 26 y 61 años, probaron la combinación pH-metro/aplicación durante 14 días (tres lecturas al día). Se pidió a los participantes que efectuaran una secuencia de uso del sistema equivalente a lo que haría un supuesto usuario para la auto-monitorización del pH urinario. Al final del período de prueba, cada participante rellenó los cuestionarios del estudio sobre los tiempos de aprendizaje, es decir, el tiempo empleado para realizar cada tarea con la nueva tecnología, su usabilidad, los errores detectados y sugerencias de mejora. RESULTADOS: La edad media de los participantes fue 35,4 (rango, 26 a 61) años. Las lecturas con el pH-metro obtuvieron un valor promedio de 5,72 (DE = 0,26), 6,13 (DE = 0,43) y 5,47 (DE = 1,27) para la orina de la mañana, tarde y noche, respectivamente. El momento del día con mayor adherencia fue la mañana (49,7% de todas las lecturas). Los tiempos de aprendizaje fueron en general cortos según lo informado por los participantes: el 73,7% pudo registrarse en la App,calificada como la tarea menos fácil, en menos de dos minutos y medio. La tarea de descargar las mediciones del pH, tanto manual como automáticamente, se realizó generalmente en menos de 35 segundos.CONCLUSIÓN: Este estudio piloto sobre el patrón de uso en el mundo real muestra que la combinación del pH-metro inteligente Lit-Control y su aplicación móvil se percibió como adecuada para su propósito por voluntarios no expertos y no tuvo problemas de funcionalidad o usabilidad relevantes que pudieran representar una barrera significativa para los futuros usuarios. Se están realizando nuevos estudios para evaluar la usabilidad en pacientes con antecedentes de litiasis.

Pilot study of the usability and functionality of a smart pH meter and a mobile medical application for urine pH monitoring / Estudio piloto de la usabilidad y la funcionalidad de un pH-metro inteligente y una aplicación móvil de salud para la monitorización del pH urinario

Objetives: Portable pH meters are robust and reliable tools for measuring urinary pH bypatients at home. This study evaluated the usability of a prototype smart Lit-Control® pH Meterand an associated mobile medical app, with the aim of identifying possible design andfunctionality issues along with usability problems among non-expert voluntary users.Materials and methods: Twenty-one individuals of both sexes, between 25 and 65years old, tested the dyad pH meter/app for 14 days (three readings per day). The participantswere asked to carry out a sequence of use of the system equivalent to what an intended userwould do for urinary pH self-monitoring. At the end of the trial period, each participant filled outstudy questionnaires regarding the learning times, i.e. the time used by a new user to performa task with the technology, usability, errors detected, and suggestions for improvement.Results: The mean age of participants was 35.4 (range, 26 to 61) years. The readings fromthe pH meter yielded average values of 5.72 (SD = 0.26), 6.13 (SD = 0.43), and 5.47 (SD =1.27) for the morning, evening, and night urines, respectively. The time of the day with greateradherence was the morning (49.7% of all readings). The learning times were in general shortas reported by the participants: 73.7% were able to register in the App, rated as the least easy task, in less than two and a half minutes. The task of uploading the pH readings, both manuallyand automatically, was mostly performed in less than 35 seconds.Conclusion: This pilot study of real-world usage pattern shows that the dyad smart Lit-Control pH meter/App was perceived as fit for purpose by non-expert volunteers and had norelevant functionality or usability issues that would pose a significant barrier to the intendedusers. New studies are ongoing in order to test the usability by patients with lithiasis history.(AU)

Objetivos: Los medidores de pH (pH-metros) portátiles son herramientas precisas y fiablespara determinar el pH urinario de los pacientes en su domicilio. Este estudio evaluó lausabilidad de un prototipo de pH-metro inteligente Lit-Control® y una aplicación móvilasociada (App), con el objetivo de identificar posibles problemas de diseño y funcionalidad,así como su usabilidad, entre participantes voluntarios no expertos.Material y métodos: Veintiún individuos de ambos sexos, entre 25 y 65 años,probaron la combinación pH-metro/aplicación durante 14 días (tres lecturas al día). Se pidió alos participantes que efectuaran una secuencia de uso del sistema equivalente a lo que haríaun supuesto usuario para la auto-monitorización del pH urinario. Al final del período de prueba,cada participante rellenó los cuestionarios del estudio sobre los tiempos de aprendizaje, esdecir, el tiempo empleado para realizar cada tarea con la nueva tecnología, su usabilidad, loserrores detectados y sugerencias de mejora.Resultados: La edad media de los participantes fue 35,4 (rango, 26 a 61) años. Laslecturas con el pH-metro obtuvieron un valor promedio de 5,72 (DE = 0,26), 6,13 (DE = 0,43)y 5,47 (DE = 1,27) para la orina de la mañana, tarde y noche, respectivamente. El momentodel día con mayor adherencia fue la mañana (49,7% de todas las lecturas). Los tiempos deaprendizaje fueron en general cortos según lo informado por los participantes: el 73,7% pudoregistrarse en la App, calificada como la tarea menos fácil, en menos de dos minutos y medio.La tarea de descargar las mediciones del pH, tanto manual como automáticamente, se realizógeneralmente en menos de 35 segundos.Conclusiones: Este estudio piloto sobre el patrón de uso en el mundo real muestra que lacombinación del pH-metro inteligente Lit-Control y su aplicación móvil se percibió comoadecuada para su propósito por voluntarios no expertos y no tuvo...(AU)

Solvent-Free Microwave Extraction of Thymus mastichina Essential Oil: Influence on Their Chemical Composition and on the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities.

Solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) is a combination of microwave heating and dry distillation performed at atmospheric pressure without the addition of water or organic solvents that has been proposed as a green method for the extraction of essential oils from aromatic and medicinal herbs. In this work, SFME and the conventional techniques of steam distillation (SD) and hydrodistillation (HD) were compared with respect to the extraction and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Thymus mastichina essential oil. The main constituent of essential oils obtained using different methods was 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol). The results showed that the essential oils extracted by means of SFME in 30 min were quantitatively (yield) and qualitatively (aromatic profile) similar to those obtained using conventional HD over 120 min. In addition, SFME generates less waste and less solvent, consumes less energy, and provides a higher yield for a shorter extraction time, which is advantageous for the extraction of the T. mastichina essential oil compared to SD. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the T. mastichina essential oil obtained from either SFME or conventional extraction methods (SD or HD) showed a similar pattern. Large-scale experiments using this SFME procedure showed a potential industrial application.

Feeding guild determines strength of top-down forces in multitrophic system experiencing bottom-up constraints.

Nitrogen (N) and water are crucial in crop production but increasingly scarce environmental resources. Reducing their inputs can affect the whole plant-arthropod community including biocontrol agents. In a multitrophic system, we studied the interaction of the bottom-up effects of moderately reduced N concentration and/or water supply as well as the top-down effects of pests of different feeding guilds on plant nutritional quality (N and carbon concentration), direct defense (alkaloids and phenolics), and indirect defense (plant volatile organic compounds); on herbivore performance and host quality (N and carbon) to parasitoids and the latter's performance. Studied organisms were tomato plants, the sap feeders Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Bemisia tabaci, the leaf chewers Tuta absoluta and Spodoptera littoralis, and the parasitic wasps Aphelinus abdominalis and Necremnus tutae. Resource limitation affected plant quality, triggering bottom-up effects on herbivore and parasitoid performance, except for T. absoluta and N. tutae. Feeding guild had a major influence: bottom-up effects were stronger on sap feeders; N effects were stronger on sap feeders while water effects were stronger with leaf chewers (S. littoralis). Top-down effects of leaf chewer herbivory partly attenuated bottom-up effects and partly suppressed plant defenses. Bottom-up effects weakened when cascading up trophic levels. In summary, the interaction between plants, pests, and beneficial insects was modulated by abiotic factors, affecting insect performance. Simultaneous abiotic and biotic impact shaped plant biochemistry depending on the feeding guild: the biotic top-down effect of leaf chewer herbivory attenuated the bottom-up effects of plant nutrition and hence dominated the plant biochemical profile whereas in sap feeder infested leaves, it corresponded to the abiotic impact. This study highlights the plant's finely tuned regulatory system facilitating response prioritization. It offers perspectives on how smart manipulation of plant nutrient solutions might save resources while maintaining efficient biocontrol in crop production.

Type and magnitude of non-compliance and adulteration in neroli, mandarin and bergamot essential oils purchased on-line: potential consumer vulnerability.

Thirty-one samples of essential oils used both in perfumery and aromatherapy were purchased to business-to-consumers suppliers and submitted to standard gas chromatography-based analysis of their chemical composition. Their compliance with ISO AFNOR standards was checked and revealed, although ISO AFNOR ranges are relatively loose, that more than 45% of the samples analyzed failed to pass the test and more than 19% were diluted with solvents such as propylene and dipropylene glycol, triethyl citrate, or vegetal oil. Cases of non-compliance could be due to substitution or dilution with a cheaper essential oil, such as sweet orange oil, blending with selected compounds (linalool and linalyl acetate, maybe of synthetic origin), or issues of aging, harvest, or manufacturing that should be either deliberate or accidental. In some cases, natural variability could be invoked. These products are made available to the market without control and liability by resellers and could expose the public to safety issues, in addition to commercial prejudice, in sharp contrast with the ever-increasing regulations applying to the sector and the high demand of consumers for safe, controlled and traceable products in fragrances and cosmetic products.

The intestinal microbial composition in Greylag geese differs with steatosis induction mode: spontaneous or induced by overfeeding.

BACKGROUND: Relationships between microbial composition and steatosis are being extensively studied in mammals, and causal relations have been evidenced. In migratory birds the liver can transiently store lipids during pre-migratory and migratory phases, but little is known about the implications of the digestive microbiota in those mechanisms. The Landaise greylag goose (Anser anser) is a good model to study steatosis in migratory birds as it is domesticated, but is still, from a genetic point of view, close to its wild migratory ancestor. It also has a great ingestion capacity and a good predisposition for hepatic steatosis, whether spontaneous or induced by conventional overfeeding. The conventional (overfeeding) and alternative (spontaneous steatosis induction) systems differ considerably in duration and feed intake level and previous studies have shown that aptitudes to spontaneous steatosis are very variable. The present study thus aimed to address two issues: (i) evaluate whether microbial composition differs with steatosis-inducing mode; (ii) elucidate whether a digestive microbial signature could be associated with variable aptitudes to spontaneous liver steatosis. RESULTS: Performances, biochemical composition of the livers and microbiota differed considerably in response to steatosis stimulation. We namely identified the genus Romboutsia to be overrepresented in birds developing a spontaneous steatosis in comparison to those submitted to conventional overfeeding while the genera Ralstonia, Variovorax and Sphingomonas were underrepresented only in birds that did not develop a spontaneous steatosis compared to conventionally overfed ones, birds developing a spontaneous steatosis having intermediate values. Secondly, no overall differences in microbial composition were evidenced in association with variable aptitudes to spontaneous steatosis, although one OTU, belonging to the Lactobacillus genus, was overrepresented in birds having developed a spontaneous steatosis compared to those that had not. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to evaluate the intestinal microbial composition in association with steatosis, whether spontaneous or induced by overfeeding, in geese. Steatosis induction modes were associated with distinct digestive microbial compositions. However, unlike what can be observed in mammals, no clear microbial signature associated with spontaneous steatosis level was identified.

Mycochemical composition and insecticidal bioactivity of Algerian desert truffles extract against two stored-product insects: Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae).

The present study aimed to highlight the insecticidal activity of the Algerian desert truffle Terfezia claveryi Chatin against two post-harvest pests of rice and other cereal products, the rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (L.), and the lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), using direct contact application method with the filter paper impregnation technique. Soxhlet apparatus was used for extraction with chloroform as solvent. The major compounds in chloroform extract of T. claveryi were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The two-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis to determine the exposure time and doses with the greatest insecticidal activity. Findings of this study revealed that the major compounds were fatty acids: linoleic acid, methyl ester (14.84%), 11,14-eicosadienoic acid, methyl ester (11.55%), oleic acid, methyl ester (7.1%), and palmitic acid (6.96%). However, chamazulene (0.88%) was found to be minor compound. Our results describe for the first time the presence of chamazulene in desert truffle. The result showed also that the most potent insecticidal activity of chloroform extract of T. claveryi was found towards S. oryzea with LD50 value of 162.11 µg/mL. For concentrations of 250 and 300 µg/mL, this extract was able to eradicate 96.65 ± 1.15% and 100.0 ± 0.0% of S. oryzea after 24 h of exposure. However, it caused only 47.24 ± 1.15% and 50.66 ± 1.15% of mortality of R. dominica, respectively, after 6 days. This work offers promising prospects for the use of desert truffles extracts as a potential insecticidal agent for improving quality and safety of stored foods against damage caused by stored-product pests.

Comparative study between a medical device and reagent dipsticks in measuring ph / Estudio comparativo entre un dispositivo médico y varillas reactivas para medir el pH

OBJECTIVES: Urinary pH is a decisive factor in several pathologies, thereby an informative marker employed in treatment decisions. Although extensively used, the urinary pH dipstick test may not be sufficiently accurate or precise for clinical decisions and more robust methodologies need to be considered. In this study, we compare pH measurements when using a portable medical device and different dipstick tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four pH dipstick brands and a Lit-Control® pH Meter were tested using commercial buffer solutions with seven distinct pH values representing the physiological range in urine (4.66; 5.0; 5.5; 6.0; 7.0; 7.5; 8.0). A statistical analysis was performed to assess the correlation of measured versus real values, together with validity measures as resolution, precision and accuracy. RESULTS: Validity measures stated the superiority of the portable pH meter, with a reduced dispersion of data and more exact values. Additionally, correlation analysis demonstrate that the pH values obtained with the pH meter were the closest to the buffers' real pH values. CONCLUSION: The detailed comparative study presented here reveal the superiority of a portable pH meter to several of the most used dipstick brands in the clinic. Lit-Control® pH Meter represents a reliable alternative when a monitoring of urinary pH is needed, as may happen during the screening of diseases or treatment monitoring in the clinic, as well as during the self-monitoring by the patient under professional supervision at home

OBJETIVOS: El pH urinario es un factor decisivo en varias patologías, en consecuencia, un marcador informativo empleado en las decisiones de tratamiento. Aunque ampliamente utilizada, la tira reactiva puede no ser lo suficientemente acurada o precisa para la toma de decisiones clínicas y otras metodologías más robustas deben ser consideradas. En este estudio, comparamos las mediciones de pH cuando usamos un dispositivo médico portátil y diferentes tiras reactivas. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se probaron cuatro marcas de tiras reactives de pH y un medidor de pH, Lit-Control(R) pH Meter, utilizando soluciones tampón comerciales con siete valores de pH distintos que representan el rango fisiológico de pH en orina (4.66; 5.0; 5.5; 6.0;7.0; 7.5; 8.0). Se realizó un análisis estadístico para evaluar la correlación de los valores medidos versus los reales, junto con las medidas de validez como resolución, precisión y exactitud. RESULTADOS: Las medidas de validez indicaron la superioridad del medidor de pH portátil, con una reducción de la dispersión de los datos y valores más exactos. Además, el análisis de correlación demuestra que los valores de pH obtenidos con el medidor de pH fueron los más cercanos a los valores de pH reales de los tampones. CONCLUSIÓN: El estudio comparativo detallado presentado aquí revela la superioridad de un medidor portátil de pH frente algunas de las marcas comerciales de tiras reactivas más ampliamente usadas en las prácticas clínicas. El Lit-Control(R) pH Meter representa una alternativa fiable cuando se necesita un monitoreo del pH urinario, como puede suceder durante la detección de enfermedades o la monitorización del tratamiento a nivel clínico, así como durante el autocontrol domiciliario del paciente, bajo supervisión profesional