RESUMEN
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention works to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) disease by finding and treating cases of TB disease and expanding latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) testing and treatment to prevent TB disease. Approximately 70% of reported TB cases in the United States occur among non-U.S.-born persons. We conducted 15 focus groups with U.S. residents born in the six most common countries of birth among non-U.S.-born TB patients: Mexico, the Philippines, India, Vietnam, China and Guatemala. Participants reacted to 39 messages on LTBI and TB disease risk factors, the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, and LTBI testing and treatment. There was low awareness of LTBI, the TB blood test, and how the TB blood test is not affected by prior BCG vaccination. Several participants thought TB disease is contracted by sharing kitchenware. Some felt negatively targeted when presented with information about countries where TB disease is more common than the U.S. Findings highlight the need for communication aimed at increasing LTBI testing and treatment to include messages framed in ways that will be resonant and actionable to populations at risk. Focus groups revealed LTBI misconceptions which highlight areas for targeted education to decrease TB stigma and increase LTBI testing and treatment.
Asunto(s)
Tuberculosis Latente , Tuberculosis , Vacuna BCG , China/epidemiología , Humanos , India/epidemiología , Tuberculosis Latente/epidemiología , Tuberculosis Latente/prevención & control , Tuberculosis/epidemiología , Tuberculosis/prevención & control , Estados Unidos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
There is an increasing market for food and beverage products enriched in proteins and dietary fibers due to their potential health benefits. In this study, the effect of heating (85⯰C, 20â¯min), microfluidization (20,000â¯psi), and pH (2 to 6.5) on the physicochemical properties of aqueous solutions containing mixtures of whey protein fibrils (7.5%; WPF) and chitosan (0.5%; CN) were examined. Heating of the mixed systems increased their turbidity and apparent viscosity, which was attributed to the formation of protein-rich particles. Interestingly, heating the mixed systems and then applying microfluidization led to phase separation and a lower apparent viscosity, which was attributed to high-pressure disruption of the whey protein fibrils. The pH of the systems significantly influenced their appearance, turbidity, particle size, and apparent viscosity, with high turbidity and viscosity, and large particle size occurring from pHâ¯3.5 to 5.5. These effects were attributed to protein aggregation close to its isoelectric point (pHâ¯5) coupled with electrostatic attraction between anionic groups on the whey protein and cationic groups on the chitosan. The addition of chitosan increased the net isoelectric point from pHâ¯5 for pure whey protein to pHâ¯6 for the mixed system. Overall, this study showed that the appearance and rheological properties of protein-dietary fiber mixtures could be manipulated by heating, microfluidization, and pH adjustment. This information may be useful for designing protein and fiber enriched food and beverage products with desirable physical and sensory properties.
Asunto(s)
Quitosano/química , Fibras de la Dieta , Proteína de Suero de Leche/química , Bebidas , Fenómenos Químicos , Manipulación de Alimentos/métodos , Alimentos Fortificados , Promoción de la Salud , Calor , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Punto Isoeléctrico , Microfluídica , Tamaño de la Partícula , Electricidad Estática , ViscosidadRESUMEN
Ease of use, low cost, and convenient transport are the key requirements for a commercial bacteria detection kit designed for resource-limited settings. Here, we report the colorimetric detection of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in food samples using freeze-dried engineered bacteriophages (phages). In this approach, we have engineered T7 phages to carry the lacZ operon driven by T7 promoter to overexpress reporter enzymes. The engineered phages were freeze-dried in a water-soluble polymer for storage and transportation. When used for the detection of E. coli cells, the intracellular enzyme [ß-galactosidase (ß-gal)] was overexpressed and released into the surrounding media, providing an enzyme-amplified colorimetric signal. Using this strategy, we were able to detect E. coli cells at the concentration of 102 CFU mL-1 in food samples without the need for sophisticated instruments or skilled operators.