Unilever (France)

In recent years, several methods have been developed which propose different freshwater use inventory schemes and impact assessment characterization models considering various cause–effect chain relationships. This work reviewed a multitude of methods and indicators for freshwater use potentially applicable in life cycle assessment (LCA). This review is used as a basis to identify the key elements to build a scientific consensus for operational characterization methods for LCA. This evaluation builds on the criteria and procedure developed within the International Reference Life Cycle Data System Handbook and has been adapted for the purpose of this project. It therefore includes (1) description of relevant cause–effect chains, (2) definition of criteria to evaluate the existing methods, (3) development of sub-criteria specific to freshwater use, and (4) description and review of existing methods addressing freshwater in LCA. No single method is available which comprehensively describes all potential impacts derived from freshwater use. However, this review highlights several key findings to design a characterization method encompassing all the impact pathways of the assessment of freshwater use and consumption in life cycle assessment framework as the following: (1) in most of databases and methods, consistent freshwater balances are not reported either because output is not considered or because polluted freshwater is recalculated based on a critical dilution approach; (2) at the midpoint level, most methods are related to water scarcity index and correspond to the methodological choice of an indicator simplified in terms of the number of parameters (scarcity) and freshwater uses (freshwater consumption or freshwater withdrawal) considered. More comprehensive scarcity indices distinguish different freshwater types and functionalities. (3) At the endpoint level, several methods already exist which report results in units compatible with traditional human health and ecosystem quality damage and cover various cause–effect chains, e.g., the decrease of terrestrial biodiversity due to freshwater consumption. (4) Midpoint and endpoint indicators have various levels of spatial differentiation, i.e., generic factors with no differentiation at all, or country, watershed, and grid cell differentiation. Existing databases should be (1) completed with input and output freshwater flow differentiated according to water types based on its origin (surface water, groundwater, and precipitation water stored as soil moisture), (2) regionalized, and (3) if possible, characterized with a set of quality parameters. The assessment of impacts related to freshwater use is possible by assembling methods in a comprehensive methodology to characterize each use adequately.

New agents that are effective against common pathogens are needed particularly for those resistant to conventional antimicrobial agents. Essential oils (EOs) are known for their antimicrobial activity. Using the broth microdilution method, we showed that (1) two unique blends of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Daucus carota, Eucalyptus globulus and Rosmarinus officinalis EOs (AB1 and AB2; cinnamon EOs from two different suppliers) were active against the fourteen Gram-positive and -negative bacteria strains tested, including some antibiotic-resistant strains. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 0.01% to 3% v/v with minimal bactericidal concentrations from <0.01% to 6.00% v/v; (2) a blend of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Daucus carota, Syzygium aromaticum, Origanum vulgare EOs was antifungal to the six Candida strains tested, with MICs ranging from 0.01% to 0.05% v/v with minimal fungicidal concentrations from 0.02% to 0.05% v/v. Blend AB1 was also effective against H1N1 and HSV1 viruses. With this dual activity, against H1N1 and against S. aureus and S. pneumoniae notably, AB1 may be interesting to treat influenza and postinfluenza bacterial pneumonia infections. These blends could be very useful in clinical practice to combat common infections including those caused by microorganisms resistant to antimicrobial drugs.

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVCommunication to the...Communication to the EditorNEXTChiral Side-Chain Liquid-Crystalline Polymeric Properties of StarchThomas A. Waigh, Paul Perry, Christian Riekel, Michael J. Gidley, and Athene M. DonaldView Author Information Polymers and Colloids, Cavendish Laboratory, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, England, ESRF, B.P. 220, F-38043 Grenoble, France, and Unilever Research Colworth, Sharnbrook, MK44 1LQ Bedford, England Cite this: Macromolecules 1998, 31, 22, 7980–7984Publication Date (Web):October 10, 1998Publication History Received26 December 1997Revised26 August 1998Published online10 October 1998Published inissue 1 November 1998https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ma971859chttps://doi.org/10.1021/ma971859crapid-communicationACS PublicationsCopyright © 1998 American Chemical SocietyRequest reuse permissionsArticle Views799Altmetric-Citations123LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail Other access optionsGet e-Alertsclose SUBJECTS:Carbohydrates,Hydration,Plant derived food,Polymers,X-ray scattering Get e-Alerts

BACKGROUND: Tristetraprolin (TTP/ZFP36) family proteins have anti-inflammatory activity by binding to and destabilizing pro-inflammatory mRNAs such as Tnf mRNA, and represent a potential therapeutic target for inflammation-related diseases. Tea has anti-inflammatory properties but the molecular mechanisms have not been completely elucidated. We hypothesized that TTP and/or its homologues might contribute to the beneficial effects of tea as an anti-inflammatory product. METHODS: Quantitative real-time PCR was used to investigate the effects of green tea (0, 1, and 2 g solid extract/kg diet) on the expression of Ttp family genes (Ttp/Tis11/Zfp36, Zfp36l1/Tis11b, Zfp36l2/Tis11d, Zfp36l3), pro-inflammatory genes (Tnf, Csf2/Gm-csf, Ptgs2/Cox2), and Elavl1/Hua/Hur and Vegf genes in liver and muscle of rats fed a high-fructose diet known to induce insulin resistance, oxidative stress, inflammation, and TNF-alpha levels. RESULTS: Ttp and Zfp36l1 mRNAs were the major forms in both liver and skeletal muscle. Ttp, Zfp36l1, and Zfp36l2 mRNA levels were more abundant in the liver than those in the muscle. Csf2/Gm-csf and Zfp36l3 mRNAs were undetectable in both tissues. Tea (1 g solid extract/kg diet) increased Ttp mRNA levels by 50-140% but Tnf mRNA levels decreased by 30% in both tissues, and Ptgs2/Cox2 mRNA levels decreased by 40% in the muscle. Tea (2 g solid extract/kg diet) increased Elavl1/Hua/Hur mRNA levels by 40% in the liver but did not affect any of the other mRNA levels in liver or muscle. CONCLUSION: These results show that tea can modulate Ttp mRNA levels in animals and suggest that a post-transcriptional mechanism through TTP could partially account for tea's anti-inflammatory properties. The results also suggest that drinking adequate amounts of green tea may play a role in the prevention of inflammation-related diseases.

In addition to parasite spread, the severity of disease observed in cases of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, is associated with increased levels of inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and nitric oxide derivatives. In the present study, quercetin (3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone), a potent immunomodulating flavonoid, was shown to directly induce the death of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, the causative agent of HAT, without affecting normal human cell viability. Quercetin directly promoted T. b. gambiense death by apoptosis as shown by Annexin V binding. In addition to microbicidal activity, quercetin induced dose-dependent decreases in the levels of TNF-alpha and nitric oxide produced by activated human macrophages. These results highlight the potential use of quercetin as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of African trypanomiasis.

The impact of salt delivery in mouth on salt perception was investigated. It was hypothesized that fast concentration changes in the delivery to the receptor can reduce sensory adaptation, leading to an increased taste perception. Saltiness ratings were scored by a panel over time during various stimulation conditions involving relative changes in NaCl concentration of 20% and 38%. Changes in salt delivery profile had similar effect on saltiness perception when delivered either by a sipwise method or by a gustometer. The impact of concentration variations and frequency of concentration changes was further investigated with the gustometer method. Five second boosts and 2 s pulses were delivered during 3 sequential 10-s intervals, whereas the delivered total salt content was the same for all conditions. Two second pulses were found to increase saltiness perception, but only when the pulses were delivered during the first seconds of stimulation. Results suggest that the frequency, timing, and concentration differences of salt stimuli can affect saltiness. Specifically, a short and intense stimulus can increase salt perception, possibly through a reduction of adaptation.

In food safety and public health risk evaluations, microbiological exposure assessment plays a central role as it provides an estimation of both the likelihood and the level of the microbial hazard in a specified consumer portion of food and takes microbial behaviour into account. While until now mostly phenotypic data have been used in exposure assessment, mechanistic cellular information, obtained using omics techniques, will enable the fine tuning of exposure assessments to move towards the next generation of microbiological risk assessment. In particular, metagenomics can help in characterizing the food and factory environment microbiota (endogenous microbiota and potentially pathogens) and the changes over time under the environmental conditions associated with processing, preservation and storage. The difficulty lies in moving up to a quantitative exposure assessment, because the development of models that enable the prediction of dynamics of pathogens in a complex food ecosystem is still in its infancy in the food safety domain. In addition, collecting and storing the environmental data (metadata) required to inform the models has not yet been organised at a large scale. In contrast, progress in biomarker identification and characterization has already opened the possibility of making qualitative or even quantitative connection between process and formulation conditions and microbial responses at the strain level. In term of modelling approaches, without changing radically the usual model structure, changes in model inputs are expected: instead of (or as well as) building models upon phenotypic characteristics such as for example minimal temperature where growth is expected, exposure assessment models could use biomarker response intensity as inputs. These new generations of strain-level models will bring an added value in predicting the variability in pathogen behaviour. Altogether, these insights based upon omics techniques will increase our (quantitative) knowledge on pathogenic strains and consequently will reduce our uncertainty; the exposure assessment of a specific combination of pathogen and food will be then more accurate. This progress will benefit the whole community of safety assessors and research scientists from academia, regulatory agencies and industry.

Pectins differing in their degree and pattern of methylesterification are important in diverse aspects of plant physiology and also in many industrial applications. Determination of methylesterification fine structure and knowledge of enzyme specificities in modification and fragmentation of pectin are key to understanding the relationship between structure and function. The development of methodologies for the detection, separation and sequencing of different partially methylesterified oligogalacturonides (Me-OGAs) is consequently very important. Polysaccharide analysis using carbohydrate gel electrophoresis (PACE) has been shown to be powerful for the quantitative resolution of species different in degree of polymerization (DP) and/or degree of methylesterification (DM). Mass spectrometry (MS) has, to date, been the only tool with which to obtain isomeric information. However, it is not quantitative, and the presence of isobaric species makes the interpretation of the fragmentation patterns complicated. Here, we present evidence that Me-OGAs with the same DP and DM but different patterns of methylesterification (structural isomers) can easily be separated and quantified using PACE.

A feature of the skin of many vertebrates is the presence of open grooves with characteristic intersecting geometric patterns. Here, we measure flows within the fine channels on the human skin surface and demonstrate that this network can act as a microfluidic device to allow the surface transport of liquids. Adapting a theory for fracture networks together with a treatment of capillary flow in a single V groove, we describe a model to account for the observed flows dependent on the groove shape, depth, and density of the grooves. This approach provides a simple framework for studying the regulation of fluid transport on the skin surface or on other similarly networked microchannels.

Thermal treatment of Bacillus subtilis spores and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells dried on glass beads was performed at various initial water activities (in the range 0.10-0.90). Experiments were carried out at 150 degrees C, 200 degrees C and 250 degrees C for 5-120 s. Significant destruction of up to 10(7) vegetative cells and up to 10(5) spores g(-1) was achieved, depending upon treatment conditions. This study demonstrated that the initial water activity (a(w)) value of a sample is very important in the destruction or survival of microorganisms treated with hot air stresses. As described previously, the heat resistance of spores and vegetative cells was strongly enhanced by low initial a(w) values until an optimal a(w) value between 0.30 and 0.50, with maximal viability at 0.35 for both S. cerevisiae and B. subtilis. However, our results highlighted for the first time that very low initial a(w) values (close to 0.10) greatly improved the destruction of spores and vegetative cells. Factors and possible mechanisms involved in the death of vegetative cells and spores are discussed.

Abstract In 2013, the European Commission launched the Environmental Footprint Rules pilot phase. This initiative aims at setting specific rules for life cycle assessment (LCA: raw material sourcing, production, logistics, use, and disposal phase) studies within 1 product category, called product environmental footprint category rules (PEFCR), and for organizations, called organizational environmental footprint sector rules (OEFSR). Such specific rules for measuring environmental performance throughout the life cycle should facilitate the comparability between LCA studies and provide principles for communicating environmental performance, such as transparency, reliability, completeness, and clarity. Cosmetics Europe, the association representing the cosmetics industry in the European Union, completed a voluntary study into the development of PEFCR for shampoo, generally following the guidelines and methodology developed by the European Commission for its own pilot projects. The study assessed the feasibility and relevance of establishing PEFCR for shampoo. Specifically, the study defines a large number of modeling assumptions and default values relevant for shampoo (e.g., for the functional unit, the system boundaries, default transport distances, rinsing water volumes, temperature differences, life cycle inventory data sources) that can be modified as appropriate, according to the specificities of individual products, manufacturing companies, and countries. The results of the study may be used to support internal decision making (e.g., to identify “hotspots” with high environmental impact and opportunities for improvement) or to meet information requests from commercial partners, consumers, media, or authorities on product environmental characteristics. In addition, the shampoo study also highlighted many of the challenges and limitations of the current product environmental footprint (PEF) methodology, namely its complexity and resource intensiveness. It highlighted 2 areas where improvements are much needed: (1) data quality and availability, and (2) impact assessment methodologies and robustness. Many of the findings are applicable to other rinse-off cosmetic products, such as shower gels, liquid soaps, bath products, and hair conditioners. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;14:649–659. © 2018 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology &amp; Chemistry (SETAC) Key Points We show that the energy consumed to heat water is one of the largest contributions to the overall effect of shampoo. The current study also resulted in default values for all life cycles stages. The PEFCR documentation provides justifications for all choices made, including references to important information sources that can be consulted for more information. In the case of limited data availability for LCAs on other cosmetics, the values presented in the current study can be used as proxies or the literature referred to can be consulted for guidance otherwise. Next to the results and default values, the current study also resulted in important findings regarding the effect of the data quality, the general level of precision of PEF calculations, and the limitations regarding application of PEF results.

The studies currently reported formed part of an enquiry whose overall objective was to identify a suitable animal model upon which initial screening of compounds and formulations with prophylactic and/or therapeutic potential in periodontitis could be carried out. An earlier study (Rovin et al. 1966) reported that periodontal inflammation could be produced in the conventional laboratory rat by application of a ligature to the molar teeth. The present paper describes the pathological and histo-pathological changes in the periodontium following application of ligatures to the molar teeth of young rats, and the tissue responses observed after topical application of chlorhexidine digluconate. Plaque formed rapidly and an acute periodontitis was induced; application of increasing concentrations of chlorhexidine digluconate gave a progressive diminution in the severity of the lesions. The major bacterial components of the plaque were actinomycetes and streptococci.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate of weight loss maintenance, defined as a 10% loss of initial weight maintained beyond 1 year, among patients with BMI > 25 kg/m(2) who had been managed by primary care physicians practicing behavioral nutrition (moderately high-protein diet, carbohydrate restriction, and behavioral therapy). METHODS: Restrospective analysis of anthropometric characteristics, weight loss, and its determinants was conducted in 14,256 patients. RESULTS: 26.7% of subjects met the success criterion (successful maintenance group; SM), 25.7% did not maintain their weight loss (unsuccessful maintenance group; UM), and 47.6% did not lose 10% of their initial weight (failure group; F). At inclusion, patients in the SM group had a greater BMI and fat mass percentage (40.5% in SM, 38.5% in UM, and 37.0% in F). These patients lost more weight (-14.1% vs. -4.59%) and fat mass (-24.7% vs. -8.21%) than patients in the UM group, and contribution of adiposity to their weight loss was 75.1%. Follow-up of patients in the SM group was characterized by a greater frequency of consultations. CONCLUSIONS: Management by primary care providers with behavioral nutrition facilitates weight loss maintenance in patients with overweight and obesity. The determinants of success are frequency of consultations, initial BMI, and initial weight loss.

Using quarterly data for 56 new ethical-drug products launched between 1989 and 1996, we estimate the coefficients of a regression equation that has cumulative future sales beyond the forecast period as its dependent variable and third-quarter sales, post-launch product improvements and promotional activities, pre-launch product quality and speed to market, and market growth as the independent variables. We find the future success of a new product to be detectable as early as the third quarter after launch, and that while post-launch promotional activities can contribute to that success, if the product has not shown signs of life by the third quarter it is unlikely to do so afterwards. The implication is that being first to the market can contribute to the success of a new drug, as can having the highest-quality drug, though neither being first nor being best is necessary. Rather, a new drug can be both the first and the best in its product category, but if strong signs of success do not appear within nine months after launch, the drug is likely to be fighting a losing uphill battle thereafter, even in a growing market. Or, at least in pharmaceuticals, you get only one bite at the cherry.

In GC, according to Kovats, there is a correlation between the retention increment—which is defined as the difference between retention indices obtained on a polar and a nonpolar column—and the structure of the solute. This relation was used in the structural investigation of cyclohexane compounds. The retention increments of the alkyl, hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups were calculated from the retention indices of 32 cyclohexane compounds. Also, the retention increments arising from the spatial position of the groups and their relative positions on the ring were obtained. By comparison between the calculated and measured molecular increments of 14 terpene derivatives it could be confirmed that the retention increments are additive. Taking advantage of this evidence, the configuration of several α-and β-p-menthanediols was determined.

Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) sensors embedded in composite insulators used for electrical high voltage applications have been studied. The study included the design of a new method for the manufacturing of composite insulators with optical fibers. The instrumented prototype insulators are intended to keep track of the mechanical and thermal stresses endured by the insulators in actual operating conditions. Optical characterization of the FBG sensors have been made using an erbium laser source and a spectrum analyzer. A 5kN strain resolution in a temperature range between -40&deg;C and +60&deg;C has been achieved using standard SMF-28 optical fibers.

BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolaemia is estimated to affect 20% of the population, although little sociodemographic information is available on affected individuals. The present study aimed to gather relevant information and investigate social determinants of dietary compliance. METHODS: A telephone survey was carried out on a representative population sample. Quotas were applied for gender, geography and degree of urbanisation. Individuals were eligible if they were hypercholesterolaemic, and were being followed by a doctor. Sociodemographic, socioeconomic and health data were collected, as well as information about the individuals' perception of the disease, their relationship and beliefs surrounding food, and their food behaviour (shopping, cooking, eating-out, deviation from prescribed diet). The association between compliance with diet and medication was investigated. RESULTS: Overall, 802 individuals were included, representing 8% of those contacted, as opposed to the expected 20%. Mean (SD) age was 60 (14.2) years, with 51% of individuals living as a couple; 48% had a good level of physical activity; 44% considered that the hypercholesterolaemia was inherited; 31% felt that the disease was normal beyond the age of 45 years. The functional and convivial aspects of eating were of more importance than that of health maintenance. Cheese was particularly likely to be eaten in dietary lapses. Of a subgroup of 729 individuals, 476 (65%) took medication; of these 476 individuals, 51% complied with dietary recommendations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The key factors associated with dietary compliance in hypercholesterolaemic individuals were identified: age, sex, the perceptions of hypercholesterolaemia, and the sociocultural aspects of food. By contrast to general assumptions, both dietary and medicinal measures are practised fairly well by a large proportion of these individuals.

BACKGROUND: Previously, a quantitative risk assessment suggested there was no risk of induction of fragrance allergy from minor residues of fragrance chemicals on washed fabrics. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there was any risk of the elicitation of contact allergy from fragrance chemical residues on fabric in individuals who were already sensitized. METHODS: Thirty-six subjects with a positive patch test to isoeugenol (n = 19) or hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (n = 17) were recruited. Dose-response and fabric patch tests were performed, respectively, with filter paper and a cotton sample loaded with fragrance in ethanol-diethylphthalate (DEP) and applied in a Finn Chamber or a Hill Top Chamber. RESULTS: Only two subjects reacted to an isoeugenol patch test concentration of 0.01% (>20x the estimated likely skin exposure level), none reacted to lower concentrations. Of 36 subjects, 18 reacted to the fabric patch treated with ethanol-DEP vehicle alone and 20 to the fragrance-chemical-treated fabric patch. These were only minor non-specific skin reactions. They were also quite evenly distributed between the two fragrance chemical allergic groups. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the examples studied, fragrance chemical residues present on fabric do not appear to present a risk of the elicitation of immediate or delayed allergic skin reactions on individuals already sensitized.

After conditioned aversion to a 0.18 mol/l sucrose solution rats do not reject a solution of 0.03 mol sucrose per l (near threshold) or a solution of thaumatin (0.2 g/l), which elicits no response in the rats' taste nerves. However, a mixture of the latter two solutions is rejected just as the 0.18 mol/l sucrose solution. This means that for the rat the mixture has a sucrose-like taste. So, thaumatin enhances sucrose-like sweetness in this animal. Electrophysiological measurements in the chorda tympani indeed show an enhancement of the sucrose response of almost 20 percent by the addition of thaumatin (0.2 g/l) to a sucrose solution of 0.5 mol/l.

Tristetraprolin (TTP) family proteins have anti‐inflammatory activity by binding to and destabilizing pro‐inflammatory mRNAs such as TNF mRNA, and represent a potential therapeutic target for inflammation‐related diseases. Tea has anti‐inflammatory properties but the molecular mechanism is unknown. Quantitative real‐time PCR was used to investigate the effects of green tea on the expression of TTP family genes (Zfp36/Ttp, Zfp36l1, Zfp36l2, Zfp36l3), pro‐inflammatory genes (Tnf, Gm‐csf, Cox2), and Hua, Vegfa, and Vegfb genes in rats fed a high‐fructose diet known to induce insulin resistance. TTP and ZFP36L1 mRNAs were the major forms in both liver and skeletal muscle. TTP, ZFP36L1, and ZFP36L2 mRNA levels were more abundant in the liver than muscle. GM‐CSF and ZFP36L3 mRNAs were undetectable in either tissue. Tea (1 g solid/kg diet) increased TTP mRNA levels by 50–140%, but TNF mRNA levels decreased by 30% in both tissues, and COX‐2 mRNA levels decreased by 40% in the muscle. Tea (2 g solid/kg diet) increased HuA mRNA levels by 40% in the liver, but did not affect any of the other mRNA levels in liver or muscle. These results showed that tea modulated TTP mRNA levels in rats, and that a post‐transcriptional mechanism through TTP could partially account for tea's anti‐inflammatory properties.