The severity of peanut allergy and the early onset of the occurrence of this allergy is documented. The role of residual allergenic proteins in peanut oil is established by positive skin-prick tests to proteic extracts from peanut oil and by double-blind placebo-controlled challenges to peanut oil. The increased consumption of allergens in the form of peanut oil and fats can contribute to the occurrence or persistence of symptoms and may be suspected to increase the risk of sensitisation.

Aims: The aim of the current study was to test whether resazurin changed colour when incubated with a range of organic chemicals used as growth substrates in bioremediation studies and to determine whether resazurin was more effective in estimating microbial growth than turbidity alone (i.e. no resazurin) or use of the dye, methylene blue. Methods and Results: Resazurin was incubated with a range of organic chemicals that were used as substrates in an MPN assay. Only 1,2‐dichlorobenzene, 2,4‐D, glycol sulphite and sulphinol reacted to generate false positives. Resazurin was also used to estimate micro‐organisms in a series of bioremediation studies. Conclusions: The results showed that resazurin was more sensitive than methylene blue or turbidity alone as an indicator of microbial growth. Significance and Impact of the Study: The significance of the current study is that resazurin should be used in MPN assays for estimating contaminant‐degrading micro‐organisms instead of turbidity alone or other dyes such as methylene blue.

BackgroundOne of the key clinical features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is impairment in daily functioning. Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) also commonly have mild problems performing complex tasks. Information and communication technology (ICT), particularly techniques involving imaging and video processing, is of interest in order to improve assessment. The overall aim of this study is to demonstrate that it is possible using a video monitoring system to obtain a quantifiable assessment of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) in AD and in MCI.MethodsThe aim of the study is to propose a daily activity scenario (DAS) score that detects functional impairment using ICTs in AD and MCI compared with normal control group (NC). Sixty-four participants over 65 years old were included: 16 AD matched with 10 NC for protocol 1 (P1) and 19 MCI matched with 19 NC for protocol 2 (P2). Each participant was asked to undertake a set of daily tasks in the setting of a “smart home” equipped with two video cameras and everyday objects for use in activities of daily living (8 IADLs for P1 and 11 for P2, plus 4 temporal execution constraints). The DAS score was then computed from quantitative and qualitative parameters collected from video recordings.ResultsIn P1, the DAS score differentiated AD (DASAD,P1 = 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38–0.56) from NC (DASNC,P1 = 0.71, 95% CI 0.68–0.74). In P2, the DAS score differentiated MCI (DASMCI,P2 = 0.11, 95% CI 0.05–0.16) and NC (DASNC,P2 = 0.36, 95% CI 0.26–0.45).ConclusionIn conclusion, this study outlines the interest of a novel tool coming from the ICT world for the assessment of functional impairment in AD and MCI. The derived DAS scores provide a pragmatic, ecological, objective measurement which may improve the prediction of future dementia, be used as an outcome measurement in clinical trials and lead to earlier therapeutic intervention.

Abstract

BackgroundWe investigated the possible role of antiphospholipid (APA) and anti-human 2 -glycoprotein I (b 2 -GPI) antibodies (Ab) in thrombosis and atherosclerosis in human immunodeficiency (HIV)-positive patients, in whom they seem to be more frequent. MethodsWe measured APA and anti-b 2 -GPI Ab in 58 HIV-positive patients together with markers of disease progression, circulating b 2 -GPI, plasma lipids, biological markers of endothelial activation and integrity (plasma thrombomodulin, von Willebrand factor, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1) and with antimalonic dialdehyde antibodies (anti-MDA Ab). ResultsWe found a 41% frequency of IgG APA in the HIV-positive patients. APA IgMs were rarely positive (7%), and anti-b 2 -GPI IgGs were positive in 3·4% patients. There was no correlation between APA or anti-b 2 -GPI Ab and the presence of opportunistic infections. Although plasma thrombomodulin, von Willebrand factor and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 were significantly increased in the HIV-positive patients, APA was correlated only with vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, suggesting that APAs are correlated with endothelial activation but not with vascular endothelial lesions. A correlation between APA and anti-MDA IgG was demonstrated using multivariate analysis (r ¼ 0·542, P < 0·0001), suggesting a relationship between the targets of these antibodies. Finally, IgG APAs are frequent in HIV infection but are not correlated with biological markers of endothelial injury. ConclusionOur results do not support a role for APA or anti-b 2 -GPI in HIV-associated silent vascular endothelial damage. However, the role of these autoantibodies in clinically relevant thrombotic events should be investigated in HIV-positive patients.