TASK 2.5.5 NATURAL EXPOSURE TESTING IN CALIFORNIA

The purpose of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of selected tick-borne-pathogens (TBPs) among Romanian horses. For this, a total of 223 animals originating from north, central, and southeast Romania, including horses from stud farms (n = 118) and working horses (n = 105), were tested using a commercial rapid ELISA-based test. Overall, 10.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.7–15.1%) of the tested horses were seropositive for antibodies (Ab) against Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Additionally, 18.8% (95% CI: 13.9–24.6%) and 0.5% (95% CI: 0.01–2.5%) of horses were seropositive for Ab against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Ehrlichia spp., respectively. Among the tested horses, 3.1% were seroreactive to two or three pathogens. These findings show the natural exposure of Romanian horses to zoonotic tick-borne pathogens and emphasize the need for further studies to better understand the epidemiology of equine tick-borne diseases in Romania.

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Direct supplementation with Urolithin A overcomes limitations of dietary exposure and gut microbiome variability in healthy adults to achieve consistent levels across the population

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1038/s41430-021-00950-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anurag Singh ◽

Davide D’Amico ◽

Pénélope A. Andreux ◽

Gillian Dunngalvin ◽

Timo Kern ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiome ◽

Dietary Exposure ◽

Food Product ◽

Pomegranate Juice ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Plasma Samples ◽

Time Points ◽

Natural Exposure ◽

Microbiome Diversity ◽

Urolithin A

Abstract Background Urolithin A (UA) is produced by gut microflora from foods rich in ellagitannins. UA has been shown to improve mitochondrial health preclinically and in humans. Not everyone has a microbiome capable of producing UA, making supplementation with UA an appealing strategy. Objective This is the first detailed investigation of the prevalence of UA producers in a healthy population and the ability of direct UA supplementation to overcome both microbiome and dietary variability. Dietary intake of a glass of pomegranate juice (PJ) was used to assess UA producer status (n = 100 participants) and to characterize differences in gut microbiome between UA producers from non-producers. Methods Subjects were randomized (1:1) to either PJ or a food product containing UA (500 mg). Prevalence of UA producers and non-producers were determined in the PJ group. Diet questionnaires and fecal samples were collected to compare differences between UA producers and non-producers along with plasma samples at different time points to assess levels of UA and its conjugates between the interventions. Results Only 12% of subjects had detectable levels of UA at baseline. Following PJ intake ~40% of the subjects converted significantly the precursor compounds into UA. UA producers were distinguished by a significantly higher gut microbiome diversity and ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroides. Direct supplementation with UA significantly increased plasma levels and provided a >6-fold exposure to UA vs. PJ (p < 0.0001). Conclusions Differences in gut microbiome and diet that dictate natural exposure to UA can be overcome via direct dietary UA supplementation.

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Measurement of ex vivo ELISpot interferon-gamma recall responses to Plasmodium falciparum AMA1 and CSP in Ghanaian adults with natural exposure to malaria

Malaria Journal ◽

10.1186/s12936-016-1098-8 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Harini Ganeshan ◽

Kwadwo A. Kusi ◽

Dorothy Anum ◽

Michael R. Hollingdale ◽

Bjoern Peters ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Interferon Gamma ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Natural Exposure

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Exposure of Polymeric Glazing Materials Using NREL’s Ultra-Accelerated Weathering System (UAWs)

ASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, Volume 2 ◽

10.1115/es2010-90489 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Carl Bingham ◽

Gary Jorgensen ◽

Amy Wylie

Keyword(s):

Light Intensity ◽

Thermal Effects ◽

Outdoor Exposure ◽

Exposure Chamber ◽

Accelerated Weathering ◽

Intensity Level ◽

Design And Implementation ◽

Different Temperatures ◽

Exposure Testing ◽

Ultraviolet Irradiance

NREL’s Ultra-Accelerated Weathering System (UAWS) selectively reflects and concentrates natural sunlight ultraviolet irradiance below 475 nm onto exposed samples to provide accelerated weathering of materials while keeping samples within realistic temperature limits. This paper will explain the design and implementation of the UAWS which allow it to simulate the effect of years of weathering in weeks of exposure. Exposure chamber design and instrumentation will be discussed for both a prototype UAWS used to test glazing samples as well as a commercial version of UAWS. Candidate polymeric glazing materials have been subjected to accelerated exposure testing at a light intensity level of up to 50 UV suns for an equivalent outdoor exposure in Miami, FL exceeding 15 years. Samples include an impact modified acrylic, fiberglass, and polycarbonate having several thin UV-screening coatings. Concurrent exposure is carried out for identical sample sets at two different temperatures to allow thermal effects to be quantified along with resistance to UV.

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