Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2011-05-18"
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Building a Portuguese Food Microbiological Information NetworkPublication . Viegas, Silvia; Machado, Claudia; Dantas, Maria; Oliveira, LuísaIntroduction: The integration of food data from research, microbiological monitoring, epidemiological investigation and disease surveillance is crucial to manage foodborne risk. Consequently, INSA launched the Portuguese Food Information Resource Programme (PortFIR) in a partnership with GS1 Portugal to create national food chain expert networks and sustainable databases on food composition, consumption and chemical and microbiological contamination. Presently, the Food Microbiological Information Network (RPIMA) is being built. Purpose: The purpose is to build RPIMA including users and stakeholders, food microbiological data producers and regional authorities on agriculture and health to maximize resources (data, knowledge, financial, human, equipment…), spread knowledge and amplify the national capability. Methods: Potential users, stakeholders and data producers were identified and invited to participate in RPIMA through an e-mail questionnaire. A network meeting was organized to present, discuss and approve RPIMA’s goals. Structured brainstorming with experts of all food chain steps was used to define thematic working groups. Terms of Reference of PortFIR transversal working groups (WGs), “Users”, “Organization and Transfer of Information” and “Support to Standardization Work” were adapted to microbiology specificities through consensus within the WGs. Results: Currently the network has 82 members covering activity areas like food production and trade, risk assessment, research and education. RPIMA’s goals approved at its 1st annual meeting in October 2010 were a) to collect food microbiological information produced in different contexts, b) to standardize and c) analyse it and d) to make it available to national and international users and stakeholders namely risk assessors and risk managers. The brainstorming meeting took place on January 2011 and lead to the creation of 2 WGs: “Food Chain Microbiological Occurrence” and “Foodborne Outbreaks” whose reference terms are being defined. Presently, the Terms of Reference of the transversal WGs are under discussion. Significance: The results obtained so far regarding involvement and willingness to share data and knowledge indicate that RPIMA will allow to 1) monitor food microbiological occurrence, 2) biotrace foodborne outbreaks, 3) detect antibiotic resistance emergence, 4) provide scientific evidence for risk management, good hygiene practices and optimization of HACCP systems 5) quantify the impact of risk management decisions, 6) trace climate change impact and 7) identify information gaps to be researched in order to improve food safety.
- Molecular profiling of the human nasal epithelium: a proteomics approachPublication . Simoes, Tania; Charro, Nuno; Blonder, Josip; Faria, Daniel; Couto, Francisco; Chan, King C.; Waybright, Timothy; Isaaq, Haleem J.; Veenstra, Timothy D.; Penque, DeborahA comprehensive proteomic profiling of nasal epithelium (NE) is described. This study relies on simple subcellular fractionation used to obtain soluble- and membrane-enriched fractions followed by 2-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) separation and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The cells were collected using a brushing technique applied on NE of clinically evaluated volunteers. Subsequently, the soluble- and the membrane-protein enriched fractions were prepared and analyzed in parallel using 2D-LC-MS/MS. In a set of 1482 identified proteins, 947 (63.9%) proteins were found to be associated to membrane fraction. Grand average hydropathy value index (GRAVY) analysis, the transmembrane protein mapping and annotations of primary location deposited in the Human Protein Reference Database (HPRD) confirmed an enrichment of hydrophobic proteins on this dataset. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) of soluble fraction revealed an enrichment of molecular and cellular functions associated with cell death, protein folding and drug metabolism while in membrane fraction showed an enrichment of functions associated with molecular transport, protein trafficking and cell-to-cell signaling and interaction. The IPA showed similar enrichment of functions associated with cellular growth and proliferation in both soluble and membrane subproteomes. This finding was in agreement with protein content analysis using exponentially modified protein abundance index (emPAI). A comparison of our data with previously published studies focusing on respiratory tract epithelium revealed similarities related to identification of proteins associated with physical barrier function and immunological defence. In summary, we extended the NE molecular profile by identifying and characterizing proteins associated to pivotal functions of a respiratory epithelium, including the control of fluid volume and ionic composition at the airways' surface, physical barrier maintenance, detoxification and immunological defence. The extent of similarities supports the applicability of a less invasive analysis of NE to assess prognosis and treatment response of lung diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Towards a Unique Data Model for Chemical and Microbiological Food InformationPublication . Machado, ClaudiaIntroduction: The integration of food data from research, monitoring, control, epidemiology and other sources is crucial to improve food safety and public health. Consequently, INSA launched the Portuguese Food Information Resource Programme (PortFIR) in a partnership with GS1 Portugal CODIPOR to create national food expert networks and sustainable databases on food composition, consumption and chemical and microbiological contamination. Presently, the PortFIR data model is being developed. Existing data models on food information usually refer to either chemical substances or microorganisms. However, for food safety, particularly for risk-benefit evaluation, a unique data model to compile chemical and microbiological food information (CMFI) would be a huge step forward, regarding data standardization and optimization of resources. Purpose: The aim of this work is to explore the possibility of creating a unique data model for the compilation, management and use of CMFI compatible with EFSA’s chemical and microbiological calls for data and for nutrition applications, namely EuroFIR European Food Composition Data Bank. Method: The work was developed in two steps: 1) identification of existing relevant Data Models; 2) comparison and listing of all required attributes. Results: The data models identified as relevant were EFSA’s Standard Sample Description for Food and Feed, for chemical contaminants, Zoonoses Data Collection for microbiological contaminants and foodborne outbreaks and the CEN/TC 387 prEN_16104 Food Data – Data structure. The reasons to choose these references were the need to report data to EFSA and to update national data in the EuroFIR Food Composition Databank whose structure formed the basis of CEN/TC 387 work. All attributes in each model were listed and correspondence among models was cross-referenced. Conclusions: This work was the first stage in the development of a unique data model for CMFI. The biggest advantage of such a data model is the ability to store all the information needed in a single database whose compatibility allows to exchange and to share information with national and international partners, contributing to improve food safety at a global level.