Identification of meat spoilage by FTIR spectroscopy and neural networks

Freshness and safety of muscle foods are generally considered as the most important parameters for the food industry. To address the rapid determination of meat spoilage, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy technique, with the help of advanced learning-based methods, was attempted in this work. FTIR spectra were obtained from the surface of beef samples during aerobic storage at various temperatures, while a microbiological analysis had identified the population of Total viable counts. A fuzzy principal component algorithm has been also developed to reduce the dimensionality of the spectral data. The results confirmed the superiority of the adopted scheme compared to the partial least squares technique, currently used in food microbiology.

Identification of a Novel Recycling Sequence in the C-tail of FPR2/ALX Receptor: Association with Cell Protection from Apoptosis

Formyl-peptide receptor type 2 (FPR2; also called ALX because it is the receptor for lipoxin A4) sustains a variety of biological responses relevant to the development and control of inflammation, yet the cellular regulation of this G-protein-coupled receptor remains unexplored. Here we report that, in response to peptide agonist activation, FPR2/ALX undergoes β-arrestin-mediated endocytosis followed by rapid recycling to the plasma membrane. We identify a transplantable recycling sequence that is both necessary and sufficient for efficient receptor recycling. Furthermore, removal of this C-terminal recycling sequence alters the endocytic fate of FPR2/ALX and evokes pro-apoptotic effects in response to agonist activation. This study demonstrates the importance of endocytic recycling in the anti-apoptotic properties of FPR2/ALX and identifies the molecular determinant required for modulation of this process fundamental for the control of inflammation.