Blastocystis sp. Carriage and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Is the Association Already Established?

Blastocystis sp.; Irritable bowel syndrome; PathogenesisBlastocystis sp.; Síndrome de l'intestí irritable; PatogènesiBlastocystis sp.; Síndrome del intestino irritable; PatogénesisBackground: The aim of the present study is to describe the occurrence of Blastocystis sp. detection among asymptomatic subjects and patients with irritable bowel syndrome in order to evaluate the potential association between irritable bowel syndrome and the parasitic infection. Methods: Cross-sectional study where adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome diagnosed according to Rome IV criteria were included. A control group was formed by asymptomatic subjects older than 18 years. Exclusion criteria were: immunosuppressive condition or having received any drug with demonstrated activity against Blastocystis sp. within the last 6 months before study inclusion. Epidemiological and clinical information was collected from all included participants. Two stool samples were obtained from all participants: one sample for microscopic examination and one sample for Blastocystis sp. PCR detection. Blastocystis sp. infection was defined by the positivity of any of the diagnostic techniques. Results: Seventy-two participants were included (36 asymptomatic subjects and 36 patients with irritable bowel syndrome). Thirty-five (48.6%) were men, and median age of participants was 34 (IQR 29–49) years. The overall rate of Blastocystis sp. carriage was 27.8% (20/72). The prevalence assessed through microscopic examination was 22.2% (16/72), while the prevalence measured by PCR was 15.3% (11/72). When comparing the presence of Blastocystis sp. between asymptomatic subjects and IBS patients, we did not find any statistically significant difference (36.1% vs. 19.4% respectively, p = 0.114). Conclusions: regarding the occurrence of Blastocystis sp., no differences were found between asymptomatic participants and patients with irritable bowel disease irrespective of the diagnostic technique performed.This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors

Microbial colonization and resistome dynamics in food processing environments of a newly opened pork cutting industry during 1.5 years of activity

Artículo versión publicadaBackground: The microorganisms that inhabit food processing environments (FPE) can strongly influence the associated food quality and safety. In particular, the possibility that FPE may act as a reservoir of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, and a hotspot for the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is a concern in meat processing plants. Here, we monitor microbial succession and resistome dynamics relating to FPE through a detailed analysis of a newly opened pork cutting plant over 1.5 years of activity. Results: We identified a relatively restricted principal microbiota dominated by Pseudomonas during the first 2 months, while a higher taxonomic diversity, an increased representation of other taxa (e.g., Acinetobacter, Psychrobacter), and a certain degree of microbiome specialization on different surfaces was recorded later on. An increase in total abundance, alpha diversity, and β-dispersion of ARGs, which were predominantly assigned to Acinetobacter and associated with resistance to certain antimicrobials frequently used on pig farms of the region, was detected over time. Moreover, a sharp increase in the occurrence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase- producing Enterobacteriaceae and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcaceae was observed when cutting activities started. ARGs associated with resistance to β-lactams, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, and sulphonamides frequently co-occurred, and mobile genetic elements (i.e., plasmids, integrons) and lateral gene transfer events were mainly detected at the later sampling times in drains. Conclusions: The observations made suggest that pig carcasses were a source of resistant bacteria that then colonized FPE and that drains, together with some food-contact surfaces, such as equipment and table surfaces, represented a reservoir for the spread of ARGs in the meat processing facility.S

Informe de situación de los sistemas ganaderos y de la prospectiva de la productividad de los pastizales en la província de Rio Negro.

El presente documento reúne información sobre la dinámica del pastizal en base al análisis de series de tiempo de un Índice de Vegetación (NDVI) obtenido de datos de imágenes satelitales MODIS, para el período 2000-2019. En otro apartado se presentan registros de precipitaciones en diversas localidades de la provincia durante 2019 y 2020. En la tercera sección se refleja la situación productiva ganadera de la provincia, a través del estado de los animales, el estado del pastizal y el nivel de disponibilidad de agua en las aguadas. Relevado por las diversas Agencias de Extensión Rural (AERs) mediante contacto con productores y otros actores del territorio. Finalmente se establecen conclusiones. En anexo se presenta un informe meteorológico con modelos de estimación a nivel nacional.Estación Experimental Agropecuaria BarilocheFil: Bidinost, Franca. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Agencia de Extensión Rural Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Gaetano, Andres Marcelo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Agencia de Extensión Rural Ingeniero Jacobacci; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Hilda Rocio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Oficina Técnica Los Menucos; ArgentinaFil: Reuque, Raul Esteban. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Agencia de Extensión Rural El Bolsón; ArgentinaFil: Villagra, Edgar Sebastian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Área Desarrollo Rural; ArgentinaFil: Easdale, Marcos Horacio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Área Desarrollo Rural; ArgentinaFil: Bruzzone, Octavio Augusto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Umaña, Fernando. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Marciani, Santiago Nicolas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Área Desarrollo Rural; ArgentinaFil: Llampa, Julio Argentino. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Valle Inferior. Agencia de Extensión Rural Valcheta; ArgentinaFil: Molina, Roberto Ángel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Valle Inferior. Agencia de Extensión Rural Valcheta; ArgentinaFil: Marinzalta, Mauro Andres. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Valle Inferior. Agencia de Extensión Rural General Conesa; ArgentinaFil: Gallego, Juan Jose. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Valle Inferior; ArgentinaFil: Echevarría, Daniela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Valle Inferior; ArgentinaFil: Saber, Ciro Adrián. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Valle Inferior; ArgentinaFil: Stiglauer, Marcela Alejandra. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Valle Inferior; ArgentinaFil: Felice, Mónica Ester. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Alto Valle. Agencia de Extensión Rural Villa Regina; ArgentinaFil: Devesa, Jorge. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Alto Valle. Agencia de Extensión Rural Rio Colorado; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Andrea Betiana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Alto Valle. Área de Agrometeorologia; ArgentinaFil: Muñoz, Angel Rafael. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Alto Valle. Área de Agrometeorologia; Argentin

Natural History of MYH7-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND Variants in myosin heavy chain 7 (MYH7) are responsible for disease in 1% to 5% of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM); however, the clinical characteristics and natural history of MYH7-related DCM are poorly described. OBJECTIVES We sought to determine the phenotype and prognosis of MYH7-related DCM. We also evaluated the influence of variant location on phenotypic expression. METHODS We studied clinical data from 147 individuals with DCM-causing MYH7 variants (47.6% female; 35.6 +/- 19.2 years) recruited from 29 international centers. RESULTS At initial evaluation, 106 (72.1%) patients had DCM (left ventricular ejection fraction: 34.5% +/- 11.7%). Median follow-up was 4.5 years (IQR: 1.7-8.0 years), and 23.7% of carriers who were initially phenotype-negative developed DCM. Phenotypic expression by 40 and 60 years was 46% and 88%, respectively, with 18 patients (16%) first diagnosed at <18 years of age. Thirty-six percent of patients with DCM met imaging criteria for LV noncompaction. During follow-up, 28% showed left ventricular reverse remodeling. Incidence of adverse cardiac events among patients with DCM at 5 years was 11.6%, with 5 (4.6%) deaths caused by end-stage heart failure (ESHF) and 5 patients (4.6%) requiring heart transplantation. The major ventricular arrhythmia rate was low (1.0% and 2.1% at 5 years in patients with DCM and in those with LVEF of <= 35%, respectively). ESHF and major ventricular arrhythmia were significantly lower compared with LMNA-related DCM and similar to DCM caused by TTN truncating variants. CONCLUSIONS MYH7-related DCM is characterized by early age of onset, high phenotypic expression, low left ventricular reverse remodeling, and frequent progression to ESHF. Heart failure complications predominate over ventricular arrhythmias, which are rare. (C) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier on behalf of the American College of Cardiology Foundation

Famílies botàniques de plantes medicinals

Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona. Ensenyament: Grau de Farmàcia, Assignatura: Botànica Farmacèutica, Curs: 2013-2014, Coordinadors: Joan Simon, Cèsar Blanché i Maria Bosch.Els materials que aquí es presenten són els recull de 175 treballs d’una família botànica d’interès medicinal realitzats de manera individual. Els treballs han estat realitzat per la totalitat dels estudiants dels grups M-2 i M-3 de l’assignatura Botànica Farmacèutica durant els mesos d’abril i maig del curs 2013-14. Tots els treballs s’han dut a terme a través de la plataforma de GoogleDocs i han estat tutoritzats pel professor de l’assignatura i revisats i finalment co-avaluats entre els propis estudiants. L’objectiu principal de l’activitat ha estat fomentar l’aprenentatge autònom i col·laboratiu en Botànica farmacèutica

Impacts of the Tropical Pacific/Indian Oceans on the Seasonal Cycle of the West African Monsoon

The current consensus is that drought has developed in the Sahel during the second half of the twentieth century as a result of remote effects of oceanic anomalies amplified by local land–atmosphere interactions. This paper focuses on the impacts of oceanic anomalies upon West African climate and specifically aims to identify those from SST anomalies in the Pacific/Indian Oceans during spring and summer seasons, when they were significant. Idealized sensitivity experiments are performed with four atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs). The prescribed SST patterns used in the AGCMs are based on the leading mode of covariability between SST anomalies over the Pacific/Indian Oceans and summer rainfall over West Africa. The results show that such oceanic anomalies in the Pacific/Indian Ocean lead to a northward shift of an anomalous dry belt from the Gulf of Guinea to the Sahel as the season advances. In the Sahel, the magnitude of rainfall anomalies is comparable to that obtained by other authors using SST anomalies confined to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. The mechanism connecting the Pacific/Indian SST anomalies with West African rainfall has a strong seasonal cycle. In spring (May and June), anomalous subsidence develops over both the Maritime Continent and the equatorial Atlantic in response to the enhanced equatorial heating. Precipitation increases over continental West Africa in association with stronger zonal convergence of moisture. In addition, precipitation decreases over the Gulf of Guinea. During the monsoon peak (July and August), the SST anomalies move westward over the equatorial Pacific and the two regions where subsidence occurred earlier in the seasons merge over West Africa. The monsoon weakens and rainfall decreases over the Sahel, especially in August.Peer reviewe

Resistencia a antimicrobianos y persistencia microbiana en la industria alimentaria: factores de riesgo y reservorios ambientales = Antimicrobial resistance and microbial persistence in the food industry: risk factors and environmental reservoirs

137 p.Esta Tesis Doctoral tiene como objetivo general ampliar el conocimiento sobre los riesgos asociados a la transmisión de resistencias a antimicrobianos a través de la cadena alimentaria. El estudio se centra en el desarrollo de cinco estudios experimentales y el análisis de las muestras ambientales obtenidas en distintas empresas agroalimentarias, en su mayoría de la provincia de León. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran la utilidad de las nuevas tecnologías genómicas y metagenómicas en las actividades de monitorización y vigilancia de microorganismos patógenos, así como en la determinación de resistencias a antimicrobianos en la cadena alimentaria. La incorporación en esquemas de análisis cuantitativo de riesgo de la información obtenida mediante la utilización de estas tecnologías de nueva generación permitirá, según el autor, reducir la incertidumbre asociada a dichos análisis, contribuyendo a un mejor aseguramiento de la inocuidad alimentaria

Assessment of a plasmid conjugation procedure to monitor horizontal transfer of an extended-spectrum β-lactamase resistance gene under food chain scenarios

Plasmids are relevant reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) which confer adaptive advantages to their host and can be horizontally transferred. The aims of this study were to develop a conjugation procedure to monitor the horizontal transfer of a 193 kb plasmid containing the extended-spectrum β-lactamase production gene blaCTX-M-14 between two Escherichia coli strains under a range of food chain-related scenarios, including temperature (20–37 °C), pH (5.0–9.0) or the presence of some biocidal agents (benzalkonium chloride, sodium hypochlorite or peracetic acid). The average conjugation rate in LB broth after 18 h at 37 °C was 2.09e-04 and similar rates were observed in a food matrix (cow's milk). The conjugation was reduced at temperatures below 37 °C, at alkaline pH (especially at pH 9.0) or in the presence of benzalkonium chloride. Peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite slightly increased conjugation rates, which reached 5.59e-04 and 6.77e-03, respectively. The conjugation procedure described can be used to identify risk scenarios leading to an enhanced ARGs transmission via plasmid conjugation, as well as to identify novel intervention strategies impairing plasmid conjugation and tackling antimicrobial resistance

Correction: Oniciuc, E. A.; et al. The Present and Future of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Whole Metagenome Sequencing (WMS) for Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistant Microorganisms and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes across the Food Chain. Genes 2018, 9, 268.

The authors wish to make the following changes to their paper [1]. Due to an undetected mistake in the references management, certain errors appeared in the reference list and a reference was duplicated in Table 1[...

Unraveling the emergence and population diversity of Listeria monocytogenes in a newly built meat facility through whole genome sequencing

-The food processing environments of a newly opened meat processing facility were sampled in ten visits carried out during its first 1.5 years of activity and analyzed for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. A total of 18 L. monocytogenes isolates were obtained from 229 samples, and their genomes were sequenced to perform comparative genomic analyses. An increase in the frequency of isolation of L. monocytogenes and in the diversity of sequence types (STs) detected was observed along time. Although the strains isolated belonged to six different STs (ST8, ST9, ST14, ST37, ST121 and ST155), ST9 was the most abundant (8 out of 18 strains). Low (0 and 2) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) distances were found between two pairs of ST9 strains isolated in both cases 3 months apart from the same processing room (Lm-1267 and Lm-1705, with a 2 SNPs distance in the core genome; Lm-1265 and Lm-1706, with a 0 SNPs distance), which suggests that these strains may be persistent L. monocytogenes strains in the food processing environment. Most strains showed an in silico attenuated viru­ lence potential either through the truncation of InlA (in 67% of the isolates) or the absence of other virulence factors involved in cell adhesion or invasion. Twelve of the eighteen L. monocytogenes isolates contained a plasmid, which ranged in size from 4 to 87 Kb and harbored stress survival, in addition to heavy metals and biocides resistance determinants. Identical or highly similar plasmids were identified for various sets of L. monocytogenes ST9 isolates, which suggests the clonal expansion and persistence of plasmid-containing ST9 strains in the processing environments of the meat facility. Finally, the analysis of the L. monocytogenes genomes available in the NCBI database, and their associated metadata, evidenced that strains from ST9 are more frequently reported in Europe, linked to foods, particularly to meat and pork products, and less represented among clinical isolates than other L. monocytogenes STs. It also showed that the ST9 strains here isolated were more closely related to the European isolates, which clustered together and separated from ST9 North American isolates.S