Source-specific nitrate intake and all-cause mortality in the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health Study.

Introduction: Nitrate and nitrite are naturally occurring in both plant- and animal-sourced foods, are used as additives in the processing of meat, and are found in water. There is growing evidence that they exhibit a spectrum of health effects, depending on the dietary source. The aim of the study was to examine source-dependent associations between dietary intakes of nitrate/nitrite and both all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

Unravelling the role of dopants in the electrocatalytic activity of ceria towards CO reduction in solid oxide electrolysis cells.

CO reduction in Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOECs) is a key-technology for the transition to a sustainable energy infrastructure and chemical industry. Ceria (CeO) holds great promise in developing highly efficient, cost-effective and durable fuel electrodes, due to its promising electrocatalytic properties, and proven ability to suppress carbon deposition and to tolerate high concentrations of impurities. In the present work, we investigate the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity of ceria towards CO reduction by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) on model systems with well-defined geometry, composition and surface area.

Exposure to ambient air pollution and lipid levels and blood pressure in an adult, Danish cohort.

Background: Air pollution is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, the mechanistic pathways underlying the association are not completely understood. Hence, further studies are required to shed light on potential mechanisms, through which air pollution may affect the development from subclinical to clinical cardiovascular disease.

Agreement between an expert-rated mini job exposure matrix of occupational biomechanical exposures to the lower body and technical measurements or observation: a method comparison study.

Objectives: Investigating the agreement between an expert-rated mini job exposure matrix (JEM) of lower body exposures and technical measurements of worktime spent standing/walking and observation-based estimates of time spent kneeling/squatting and total load lifted per workday.

Methods: We chose 16 job titles from the 121 job groups in the lower body JEM and included them in the mini JEM. New expert ratings for the mini JEM were performed by the same five occupational physicians who performed the ratings for the lower body JEM.

Production of a monolithic fuel cell stack with high power density.

The transportation sector is undergoing a technology shift from internal combustion engines to electric motors powered by secondary Li-based batteries. However, the limited range and long charging times of Li-ion batteries still hinder widespread adoption. This aspect is particularly true in the case of heavy freight and long-range transportation, where solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offer an attractive alternative as they can provide high-efficiency and flexible fuel choices.

No difference in knee muscle activation and kinematics during treadmill walking between adolescent girls with and without asymptomatic Generalised Joint Hypermobility.

Background: Altered knee muscle activity in children with asymptomatic Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) is reported during isometric contraction, static and dynamic balance tasks and jumping, but has not been studied during gait. Therefore, the aim was to investigate group differences in knee muscle activity simultaneously with knee joint kinematics during treadmill walking between children with and without GJH.

Methods: Girls 14-15 years of age with GJH (inclusion criteria: Beighton score ≥6 of 9 and positive hyperextension ≥10° (one/both knees)) and a matched control group without GJH (inclusion criteria: Beighton score ≤5 and no knee hyperextension ≥10° ) were recruited.

Passivation and activation of LaSrFeO thin film electrodes.

The oxygen exchange activity of thin dense LaSrFeO electrodes prepared by pulsed laser deposition was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrical conductivity relaxation below 600 °C. The value of the surface exchange coefficient (k) measured at 491 °C decreased from an initial 4.4 × 10 cm s to 1.

In vitro toxicological characterisation of the antifungal compound soybean toxin (SBTX).

Soybean toxin (SBTX) is a protein isolated from soybean seeds and composed of two polypeptide subunits (17 and 27 kDa). SBTX has in vitro activity against phytopathogenic fungi such as Cercospora sojina, Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium herguei, and yeasts like Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, Kluyveromyces marxiannus, and Pichia membranifaciens.

Inter-Rater Reliability of Ergonomic Work Demands for Childcare Workers Using the Observation Instrument TRACK.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the inter-rater reliability of a newly developed instrument-TRACK (observaTion woRk demAnds Childcare worK) for observations of ergonomic work demands in childcare work. Two trained raters conducted thirty hours of concurrent observation of fifteen childcare workers in three different day nurseries. Inter-rater reliability of ergonomic work demands was evaluated using Gwet's Agreement Coefficient (AC) and interpreted by the Landis and Koch benchmark scale.

A 4 × 4 cm Nanoengineered Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell for Efficient and Durable Hydrogen Production.

Despite various advantages of high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) over their low-temperature competitors, the insufficient long-term durability has prevented the commercialization of SOECs. Here, we address this challenge by employing two nanoengineered electrodes. The O electrode consists of a LaSrCoO (LSC) and Gd,Pr-co-doped CeO (CGPO) nanocomposite coating deposited on a Gd-doped CeO (CGO) scaffold, and the H electrode comprises a Ni/yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrode modified with a nanogranular CGO coating.

Detection and profiling of diarrheic marine biotoxins in shellfish by mRNA analysis of exposed Caco-2 cells using qRT-PCR and multiplex magnetic bead-based assays.

The mouse bioassay for the detection of marine biotoxins in shellfish products is 40 years old and still in use. A full ban or total replacement of this in vivo test has been postponed because of the fear that current chemical-based detection methods could miss a new emerging toxin. In order to fully replace the mouse bioassay, more efforts are needed on the search for functional assays with specific endpoints.

Improving work for the body - a participatory ergonomic intervention aiming at reducing physical exertion and musculoskeletal pain among childcare workers (the TOY-project): study protocol for a wait-list cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Background: The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is persistently high throughout the world. Work-related factors such as high physical workload (lifting, bending and twisting of the back) are considered to be among the main causes of MSP. Work in childcare includes the need to lift, carry, and support children in a range of activities, requiring several demanding postures and movements, such as bending forward and twisting of the back and sitting on the floor.

Whole genome mRNA transcriptomics analysis reveals different modes of action of the diarrheic shellfish poisons okadaic acid and dinophysis toxin-1 versus azaspiracid-1 in Caco-2 cells.

A study with DNA microarrays was performed to investigate the effects of two diarrhetic and one azaspiracid shellfish poison, okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX-1) and azaspiracid-1 (AZA-1) respectively, on the whole-genome mRNA expression of undifferentiated intestinal Caco-2 cells. Previously, the most responding genes were used to develop a dedicated array tube test to screen shellfish samples on the presence of these toxins. In the present study the whole genome mRNA expression was analyzed in order to reveal modes of action and obtain hints on potential biomarkers suitable to be used in alternative bioassays.

Screening for the presence of lipophilic marine biotoxins in shellfish samples using the neuro-2a bioassay.

The neuro-2a bioassay is considered as one of the most promising cell-based in vitro bioassays for the broad screening of seafood products for the presence of marine biotoxins. The neuro-2a assay has been shown to detect a wide array of toxins like paralytic shellfish poisons (PSPs), ciguatoxins, and also lipophilic marine biotoxins (LMBs). However, the neuro-2a assay is rarely used for routine testing of samples due to matrix effects that, for example, lead to false positives when testing for LMBs.

A practical guidance for assessments of sedentary behavior at work: A PEROSH initiative.

Sedentary behavior is defined as sitting or lying with low energy expenditure. Humans in industrialized societies spend an increasing amount of time in sedentary behaviors every day. This has been associated with detrimental health outcomes.

Big data in food safety: An overview.

Technology is now being developed that is able to handle vast amounts of structured and unstructured data from diverse sources and origins. These technologies are often referred to as big data, and open new areas of research and applications that will have an increasing impact in all sectors of our society. In this paper we assessed to which extent big data is being applied in the food safety domain and identified several promising trends.

Alterations in neuromuscular function in girls with generalized joint hypermobility.

Background: Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) is associated with increased risk of musculoskeletal joint pain. We investigated neuromuscular performance and muscle activation strategy.

Methods: Girls with GJH and non-GJH (NGJH) performed isometric knee flexions (90°,110°,130°), and extensions (90°) at 20 % Maximum Voluntary Contraction, and explosive isometric knee flexions while sitting.

Effects of Digested Onion Extracts on Intestinal Gene Expression: An Interspecies Comparison Using Different Intestine Models.

Human intestinal tissue samples are barely accessible to study potential health benefits of nutritional compounds. Numbers of animals used in animal trials, however, need to be minimalized. Therefore, we explored the applicability of in vitro (human Caco-2 cells) and ex vivo intestine models (rat precision cut intestine slices and the pig in-situ small intestinal segment perfusion (SISP) technique) to study the effect of food compounds.

Different responses of Caco-2 and MCF-7 cells to silver nanoparticles are based on highly similar mechanisms of action.

The mode of action of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is suggested to be exerted through both Ag and AgNP dependent mechanisms. Ingestion is one of the major NP exposure routes, and potential effects are often studied using Caco-2 cells, a well-established model for the gut epithelium. MCF-7 cells are epithelial breast cancer cells with extensive well-characterized toxicogenomics profiles.

High-Performance Microchanneled Asymmetric Gd(0.1)Ce(0.9)O(1.95-δ)-La(0.6)Sr(0.4)FeO(3-δ)-Based Membranes for Oxygen Separation.

A microchanneled asymmetric dual phase composite membrane of 70 vol % Gd(0.1)Ce(0.9)O(1.

Exploration of new functional endpoints in neuro-2a cells for the detection of the marine biotoxins saxitoxin, palytoxin and tetrodotoxin.

Marine neurotoxins accumulate in seafood and therewith represent a threat for consumers. At the European level, the use of in vivo bioassays is banned from 2015 onwards, except for the control of production areas. Cytotoxicity in the neuro-2a assay has been shown a promising in vitro alternative.

Inhibition of CXCL12-mediated chemotaxis of Jurkat cells by direct immunotoxicants.

Directional migration of cells to specific locations is required in tissue development, wound healing, and immune responses. Immune cell migration plays a crucial role in both innate and adaptive immunity. Chemokines are small pro-inflammatory chemoattractants that control the migration of leukocytes.