Listeria monocytogenes contamination of Tenebrio molitor larvae rearing substrate: Preliminary evaluations

Today, edible insects represent a hot topic as an emerging and eco-friendly source of protein. The mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) is among the most employed insects for human consumption and feed purposes. So far Listeria monocytogenes, have never been detected either in products sold on the market or during the rearing process. In this study, the substrate employed for mealworm rearing was deliberately contaminated with L. monocytogenes and the bacterium was enumerated during the rearing period and after technological treatments of the larvae. L. monocytogenes persisted during the rearing period. Washing the larvae did not produce any significant effect, while fasting the larvae for 24 or 48 h reduced the L. monocytogenes load (P < 0.001). Oven cooking eliminated L. monocytogenes cells from the product, reducing the risk associated to this foodborne pathogen to zero

The tailings dam failure of 5 November 2015 in SE Brazil and its preceding seismic sequence

The collapse of a mine tailings dam and subsequent flood in SE Brazil on 5 November 2015 was preceded by a small-magnitude seismic sequence. In this report, we explore the spatiotemporal associations between the seismic events and the accident and discuss their possible connection. We also analyze the signals generated by the turbulent mudflow, as recorded by the Brazilian Seismographic Network (RSBR). In light of our observations, we propose as possible contributing factor for the dam collapse either ground shaking and/or soil liquefaction triggered by the earthquakes. The possibility of such a small-magnitude earthquake contributing to the collapse of a tailings dam raises important concerns regarding safety and related legislation of dams in Brazil and the world. ©2016. American Geophysical Union.H.A.D. and M.A. acknowledge support from Sao Paulo Research Foundation FAPESP grant 2014/09455-3 and CNPq grant 30.6547/2013-9.Peer reviewe

A comparison of electrochemical degradation of phenol on boron doped diamond and lead dioxide anodes

This work compares two electrode materials used to mineralize phenol contained in waste waters. Two disks covered with either boron doped diamond (BDD) or PbO2 were used as anodes in a one compartment flow cell under the same hydrodynamic conditions. Efficiencies of galvanostatic electrolyses are compared on the basis of measurements of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). Galvanostatic electrolyses were monitored by analysis of phenol and of its oxidation derivatives to evaluate the operating time needed for complete elimination of toxic aromatics. The experimental current efficiency is close to the theoretical value for the BDD electrode. Other parameters being equal, phenol species disappeared at the same rate using the two electrode materials but the BDD anode showed better efficiency to eliminate TOC and COD. Moreover, during the electrolysis less intermediates are formed with BDD compared to PbO2 whatever the current density. A comparison of energy consumption is given based on the criterion of 99% removal of aromatic compounds

Long-Term Outcome After Adoptive Immunotherapy With Natural Killer Cells: Alloreactive NK Cell Dose Still Matters

open26noRecently, many reports were published supporting the clinical use of adoptively transferred natural killer (NK) cells as a therapeutic tool against cancer, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Our group demonstrated promising clinical response using adoptive immunotherapy with donor-derived alloreactive KIR-ligand-mismatched NK cells in AML patients. Moreover, the antileukemic effect was correlated with the dose of infused alloreactive NK cells (“functional NK cell dose”). Herein, we update the results of our previous study on a cohort of adult AML patients (median age at enrollment 64) in first morphological complete remission (CR), not eligible for allogeneic stem cell transplantation. After an extended median follow-up of 55.5 months, 8/16 evaluable patients (50%) are still off-therapy and alive disease-free. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) are related with the dose of infused alloreactive NK cells (≥2 × 105/kg).openParisi S.; Ruggeri L.; Dan E.; Rizzi S.; Sinigaglia B.; Ocadlikova D.; Bontadini A.; Giudice V.; Urbani E.; Ciardelli S.; Sartor C.; Cristiano G.; Nanni J.; Zannoni L.; Chirumbolo G.; Arpinati M.; Lewis R.E.; Bonifazi F.; Marconi G.; Martinelli G.; Papayannidis C.; Paolini S.; Velardi A.; Cavo M.; Lemoli R.M.; Curti A.Parisi, S.; Ruggeri, L.; Dan, E.; Rizzi, S.; Sinigaglia, B.; Ocadlikova, D.; Bontadini, A.; Giudice, V.; Urbani, E.; Ciardelli, S.; Sartor, C.; Cristiano, G.; Nanni, J.; Zannoni, L.; Chirumbolo, G.; Arpinati, M.; Lewis, R. E.; Bonifazi, F.; Marconi, G.; Martinelli, G.; Papayannidis, C.; Paolini, S.; Velardi, A.; Cavo, M.; Lemoli, R. M.; Curti, A

Spider Silk Constructs Enhance Axonal Regeneration and Remyelination in Long Nerve Defects in Sheep

BACKGROUND: Surgical reapposition of peripheral nerve results in some axonal regeneration and functional recovery, but the clinical outcome in long distance nerve defects is disappointing and research continues to utilize further interventional approaches to optimize functional recovery. We describe the use of nerve constructs consisting of decellularized vein grafts filled with spider silk fibers as a guiding material to bridge a 6.0 cm tibial nerve defect in adult sheep. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The nerve constructs were compared to autologous nerve grafts. Regeneration was evaluated for clinical, electrophysiological and histological outcome. Electrophysiological recordings were obtained at 6 months and 10 months post surgery in each group. Ten months later, the nerves were removed and prepared for immunostaining, electrophysiological and electron microscopy. Immunostaining for sodium channel (NaV 1.6) was used to define nodes of Ranvier on regenerated axons in combination with anti-S100 and neurofilament. Anti-S100 was used to identify Schwann cells. Axons regenerated through the constructs and were myelinated indicating migration of Schwann cells into the constructs. Nodes of Ranvier between myelin segments were observed and identified by intense sodium channel (NaV 1.6) staining on the regenerated axons. There was no significant difference in electrophysiological results between control autologous experimental and construct implantation indicating that our construct are an effective alternative to autologous nerve transplantation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates that spider silk enhances Schwann cell migration, axonal regrowth and remyelination including electrophysiological recovery in a long-distance peripheral nerve gap model resulting in functional recovery. This improvement in nerve regeneration could have significant clinical implications for reconstructive nerve surgery

One-step functionalization and reactive blending of polyolefin/polyamide mixtures (EPM/PA6)

Diethyl maleate, maleic anhydride and dicumyl peroxide in different ratios were directly added to molten polymeric mixtures based on ethylene-co-propylene (EPM) and polyamide 6 (PA6) to perform in one-step the functional groups grafting and branched copolymer formation necessary to obtain compatibilized products. The characterization of the blends by selective solvent extraction and IR and NMR analysis of the various fractions allowed to evidence the occurrence of maleate grafting on both EPM and PA6 as well as the formation of graft copolymers at the interface. The effect of the reactions on phase morphology development and thermal properties was evaluated by SEM and DSC analysis respectively in order to investigate the compatibilization extent in comparison with the conventional two-steps procedure. Besides tests about mechanical properties of samples produced by the extrusion were carried out