Exploration of isoxanthohumol bioconversion from spent hops into 8-prenylnaringenin using resting cells of Eubacterium limosum

Hops is an almost unique source of the potent phytoestrogen 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN). As hops contain only low levels of 8-PN, synthesis may be more attractive than extraction. A strain of the Gram-positive Eubacterium limosum was isolated previously for 8-PN production from more abundant precursor isoxanthohumol (IX) from hops. In this study, spent hops, an industrial side stream from the beer industry, was identified as interesting source of IX. Yet, hop-derived compounds are well-known antibacterial agents and the traces of a large variety of different compounds in spent hops interfered with growth and IX conversion. Critical factors to finally enable bacterial 8-PN production from spent hops, using a food and feed grade medium, were evaluated in this research. The use of bacterial resting cells and complex medium at a pH of 7.8-8 best fulfilled the requirements for 8-PN production and generated a solid basis for development of an economic process

Fibre intake among the Belgian population by sex-age and sex-education groups and its association with BMI and waist circumference

The objectives of the present study were to assess total dietary fibre intake and the main contributors to fibre intake in the Belgian population by sex-age and sex-education groups and to investigate its relationship with BMI and waist circumference (WC). The participants of the Belgian food consumption survey (2004) were randomly selected. Information about food intake was collected using two repeated, non-consecutive 24 h recall interviews. A total of 3083 individuals (>= 15 years; 1546 men and 1537 women) completed both interviews. The main contributors to total fibre intake (17.8 g/d) were cereals and cereal products (34%; 5.9 g/d), potatoes and other tubers (18.6%; 3.3 g/d), fruits (14.7%; 2.8 g/d) and vegetables (14.4%; 2.6 g/d). Legume fibre intake was extremely low (0.672%; 0.139 g/d). In all sex-age and sex-education groups, total fibre intake was below the recommendations of the Belgian Superior Health Council. Men (21 g/d) consumed significantly more fibre than women (17.3 g/d) (P < 0.001). Lower educated men and higher educated women reported the highest fibre intake. A significant inverse association was found between total fibre intake and WC (beta = -0.118, P < 0.001). Fruit-derived fibre was positively associated with WC (beta = 0.731, P=0.001). In summary, total fibre intake was inversely associated with WC, whereas fruit-derived fibre intake was positively associated with WC in the Belgian population

Big Brother Riding Shotgun: Internal Surveillance of Semi-Autonomous Vehicles and its Effects on the Reasonable Expectation of Privacy

The makers of autonomous vehicles (AVs) claim that their vehicles will reduce traffic accidents by 90 per cent and save millions of lives. Although this is yet to be proven, even if these new generation cars are made to be everything that the carmakers claim, accidents will still happen. Now, as the technology is progressing, governments and scholars are trying to come up with solutions to many legal, ethical and sociological problems the AVs will bring along

Reconsidering the Western town planning approach for Historic Cities and Memories in Mediterranean Region: The Agence Prost from Paris to &#304;stanbul (1910s-1950s)

L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen

Interactions between Turkish Building Professionals and French Advisors in the Reconstruction of Historical Cities in Western Anatolia

The year 1923 was a turning point for Turkey. The collapse of the Ottoman Empire after a long war brought in Republican ideology centered on economic self-sufficiency and modern, secular values. With the proclamation of the Republic, the reconstruction of war-torn historical cities became a priority, to spread the new ideology and meet the country’s industrial needs. The new authorities encouraged municipalities to consult with Western European architects, many of whom were invited in the first years of the Republic. Their knowledge of the latest technologies and modern urban planning principles in Europe were to be applied to reconstruct Anatolian towns and villages according to the modern ideology. To facilitate this cooperation, the Society of Studies for the Reconstruction of İzmir was established in Paris in 1922. It brought together French experts and Turkish authorities during the planning process of Western Anatolian cities. The most prominent French consultants were Paris-based Henri Prost and Rene Danger, working together in France after having gained long-term experience in French colonies. This paper, firstly, highlights the mobility of these French professionals in Western Anatolia by tracing the history of their planning studies. Secondly, framing the political tension between the two countries, it aims to investigate whether the perspectives of the Turkish authorities associated the guest French architects and planners with colonial France. Lastly, it focuses on the post-war reconstruction process of historical cities in Western Anatolia, discussing the results of the interaction of the decision-makers and focusing on İzmir, Manisa, and Uşak