Screening of dietary ingredients against the honey bee parasite Nosema ceranae

Nosema ceranae is a major pathogen in the beekeeping sector, responsible for nosemosis. This disease is hard to manage since its symptomatology is masked until a strong collapse of the colony population occurs. Conversely, no medicaments are available in the market to counteract nosemosis, and only a few feed additives, with claimed antifungal action, are available. New solutions are strongly required, especially based on natural methods alternative to veterinary drugs that might develop resistance or strongly pollute honey bees and the environment. This study aims at investigating the nosemosis antiparasitic potential of some plant extracts, microbial fermentation products, organic acids, food chain waste products, bacteriocins, and fungi. Honey bees were singularly infected with 5 × 104 freshly prepared N. ceranae spores, reared in cages and fed ad libitum with sugar syrup solution containing the active ingredient. N. ceranae in the gut of honey bees was estimated using qPCR. The results showed that some of the ingredients administered, such as acetic acid at high concentration, p-coumaric acid, and Saccharomyces sp. strain KIA1, were effective in the control of nosemosis. On the other hand, wine acetic acid strongly increased the N. ceranae amount. This study investigates the possibility of using compounds such as organic acids or biological agents including those at the base of the circular economy, i.e., wine waste production, in order to improve honeybee health

Fitoplasmas en cultivos de Beta vulgaris en diferentes regiones productoras de Argentina

El cultivo de Beta vulgaris L. (Amaranthacea) está distribuido en diferentes regiones de Argentina. En el cinturón verde de diferentes ciudades del país se produce acelga (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) para consumo fresco o industria, en muchos casos como cultivo de subsistencia. En otras regiones como la norpatagónica (Valle medio y Valle inferior del río Negro) se está intentado incorporar el cultivo de remolacha forrajera(Beta vulgaris var. rapacea) por su gran capacidad de adaptación a suelos áridos, climas extremos y aptitud como forrajera para producción de carne y leche. En las mismas regiones se intenta el cultivo de remolacha azucarera (Beta vulgaris var. altissima) con la finalidad de producir biocombustibles en regiones productivamente deprimidas. En diferentes cultivos de Beta vulgaris de Bahía Blanca, de Valle Medio e Inferior de rio Negro se describieron síntomas generales de marchitamiento y coloración amarillenta que limitan su expansión. La amplificación por PCR del gen 16S rDNA, utilizando cebadores universales para fitoplasmas, a partir de ADN total de plantas sintomáticas mostró la presencia de este tipo de patógenos en aproximadamente el 80% de las muestras evaluadas. Los análisis por RFLP y de secuenciación de esa porción del genoma revelaron la presencia de fitoplasmas incluidos en el subgrupo 16SrIII (X-disease) subgrupo J, detectado previamente en el cultivo de ajo (Allium sativum) y numerosas malezas. Esta es la primera evidencia molecular de fitoplasmas asociados al síntoma de marchitamiento y amarillamiento en Beta vulgaris en Argentina. Actualmente se está estudiando la incidencia que tiene la enfermedad en estos cultivos. Se intenta identificar el/los insectos vectores involucrados en la diseminación del patógeno y estudiar su biología, con la finalidad de diseñar posibles estrategias para disminuir el impacto de esta enfermedad

[18F]FDG PET/MRI in rectal cancer

We conducted a systematic literature review on the use of [18F]FDG PET/MRI for staging/restaging rectal cancer patients with PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, based on the PRISMA criteria. Three authors screened all titles and abstracts and examined the full texts of all the identified\ua0relevant articles. Studies containing aggregated or duplicated data, review articles, case reports, editorials, and letters were excluded. Ten reports met the inclusion criteria. Four studies examined T staging and one focused on local recurrences after surgery; the reported sensitivity (94\u2013100%), specificity (73\u201394%), and accuracy (92\u2013100%) varied only slightly from one study to another. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of [18F]FDG PET/MRI for N staging were 90\u201393%, 92\u201394%, and 42\u201392%. [18F]FDG PET/MRI detected malignant nodes better than MRI, resulting in treatment change. For M staging, [18F]FDG PET/MRI outperformed [18F]FDG PET/CT and CT in detecting liver metastases, whereas it performed worse for lung metastases. The results of this review suggest that [18F]FDG PET/MRI should be used for rectal cancer restaging after chemoradiotherapy and to select patients for rectum-sparing approaches thanks to its accuracy in T and N staging. For M staging, it should be associated at least with a chest CT scan to rule out lung metastases

Primer registro de Tetranycopsis horridus (Canestrini & Fanzago) en Argentina asociado al avellano (Corylus avellana)

En Argentina, la información sobre los agentes perjudiciales presentes en avellanos es escasa. En la temporada 2014-2015, el Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria llevó a cabo el monitoreo en plantaciones comerciales localizadas en el Valle Inferior de Río Negro. En una de ellas se observó un desarrollo anormal de la brotación. Al examinar a campo el material vegetal afectado se relacionó la sintomatología con la actividad alimentaria de un ácaro. Se tomaron muestras y se las envió al Laboratorio de Referencia del Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria para su análisis. Se confeccionaron preparados microscópicos de 23 ejemplares en distintos estados de desarrollo. La determinación de la especie se realizó sobre hembras adultas mediante claves taxonómicas y bibliografía disponible. El objetivo de este trabajo es reportar en Argentina, por primera vez, la presencia de Tetranycopsis horridus (Canestrini & Fanzago) sobre C. avellana; asimismo, suministrar información sobre la plaga para facilitar el reconocimiento de su sintomatología y la identificación taxonómica.In Argentina, information about the harmful agents present on that crop is scarce. In the 2014-2015 period, the National Agricultural Technology Institute conducted monitoring in commercial plantations located in the Valle Inferior of Río Negro. An abnormal development of the sprouting was observed in one of those monitoring. In the field, when we examining the affected plants we relationship the symptoms of feeding activity found to a mite. Samples were taken and sent to the Reference Laboratory of National Health Service for theirs analysis. Twenty three microscopic specimens were prepared corresponding to different stages of development. Females of the species were identified by the use of available taxonomic keys and bibliography. The aim of this paper is to report, for the first time, this species from Argentina over C. avellana; also we provide information on the pest to facilitate the recognition of their symptoms and taxonomic identification.EEA Valle InferiorFil: Martin, Dario Miguel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Valle Inferior; ArgentinaFil: Regonat, Marisa Elizabeth. Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentario; ArgentinaFil: Gallo, Silvia Laura. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Valle Inferior; ArgentinaFil: Baffoni, Patricia Andrea. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Valle Inferior; ArgentinaFil: Mongabure, Alejandro P. Universidad Nacional de Rio Negro. Cátedra de Zoología Agrícola; Argentin

A novel intermembrane space–targeting signal docks cysteines onto Mia40 during mitochondrial oxidative folding

A nine-residue intermembrane-targeting signal brings the active Cys of substrate proteins into contact with Mia40 oxidase for folding and import into mitochondria

The Italian Consensus Conference on FAI Syndrome in Athletes (Cotignola Agreement)

Background. Femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI) is an important topic in literature because of its strong relationship with sport populations. Methods. Sixty-five experts participated in "this Consensus Conference (CC)". They discussed, voted and approved a consensus document on the FAI syndrome in athletes. Results. The CC experts approved document provided suggestions concerning: 1) Epidemiology of FAI; 2) Clinical evaluation; 3) Radiological evaluation; 4) Conserva-tive treatment; 5) Surgical criteria; 6) Surgical techniques; 7) Post-surgical rehabilita-tion; 8) Outcome evaluation; 9) FAI-associated clinical frameworks. Conclusions. The CC offers a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treat-ment of FAI syndrome in athletes taking into account all the different steps needed to approach this pathology in sport populations

Prevention of congenital malformations and other adverse pregnancy outcomes with 4.0 mg of folic acid : community-based randomized clinical trial in Italy and the Netherlands

Background: In 2010 a Cochrane review confirmed that folic acid (FA) supplementation prevents the first- and second-time occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs). At present some evidence from observational studies supports the hypothesis that FA supplementation can reduce the risk of all congenital malformations (CMs) or the risk of a specific and selected group of them, namely cardiac defects and oral clefts. Furthermore, the effects on the prevention of prematurity, foetal growth retardation and pre-eclampsia are unclear.Although the most common recommendation is to take 0.4 mg/day, the problem of the most appropriate dose of FA is still open.The aim of this project is to assess the effect a higher dose of peri-conceptional FA supplementation on reducing the occurrence of all CMs. Other aims include the promotion of pre-conceptional counselling, comparing rates of selected CMs, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, small for gestational age, abruptio placentae.Methods/Design: This project is a joint effort by research groups in Italy and the Netherlands. Women of childbearing age, who intend to become pregnant within 12 months are eligible for the studies. Women are randomly assigned to receive 4 mg of FA (treatment in study) or 0.4 mg of FA (referent treatment) daily. Information on pregnancy outcomes are derived from women-and-physician information.We foresee to analyze the data considering all the adverse outcomes of pregnancy taken together in a global end point (e.g.: CMs, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, small for gestational age). A total of about 1,000 pregnancies need to be evaluated to detect an absolute reduction of the frequency of 8%. Since the sample size needed for studying outcomes separately is large, this project also promotes an international prospective meta-analysis.Discussion: The rationale of these randomized clinical trials (RCTs) is the hypothesis that a higher intake of FA is related to a higher risk reduction of NTDs, other CMs and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Our hope is that these trials will act as catalysers, and lead to other large RCTs studying the effects of this supplementation on CMs and other infant and maternal outcomes.Trial registration: Italian trial: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01244347.Dutch trial: Dutch Trial Register ID: NTR3161

Food safety - Module 1: Role of beneficial and pathogenic microbes - Unit 1: Role of beneficial microbes

The general objectives of the units are related to the exposed lectures, focusing the intention to give a positive point of view about microbes. The first step is give a basic idea of the kind microbes involved in food industry for their positive action. The second lecture regard food composition and is basic to understand the beast application of microbes for the production of a specific fermented product. In the third lecture microbes are considered as useful tool to start a desirable fermentation for the production of desirable eatable fermented food. From fourth to sixth unit are given information about selected microorganisms that can be use for the production of beneficial substances, or for their use as improver of human health, or to reach a good preservation degree of a food. The last unit complete the scenery with a deep view about the opportunity to use biotechnology to improve the positive actions of microbes

Honeybee Exposure to Veterinary Drugs: How Is the Gut Microbiota Affected?

Several studies have outlined that a balanced gut microbiota offers metabolic and protective functions supporting honeybee health and performance. The present work contributes to increasing knowledge on the impact on the honeybee gut microbiota of the three most common veterinary drugs (oxytetracycline, sulfonamides, and tylosin). The study was designed with a semi-field approach in micro-hives containing about 500 honeybees. Micro-hives were located in an incubator during the day and moved outdoors in the late afternoon, considering the restrictions on the use of antibiotics in the open field but allowing a certain freedom to honeybees; 6 replicates were considered for each treatment. The absolute abundance of the major gut microbial taxa in newly eclosed individuals was studied with qPCR and next-generation sequencing. Antimicrobial resistance genes for the target antibiotics were also monitored using a qPCR approach. The results showed that the total amount of gut bacteria was not altered by antibiotic treatment, but qualitative variations were observed. Tylosin treatment determined a significant decrease of α-and β-diversity indices and a strong depletion of the rectum population (lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) while favoring the ileum microorganisms (Gilliamella, Snodgrassella,and Frischella spp.). Major changes were also observed in honeybees treated with sulfonamides, with a decrease in Bartonella and Frischella core taxa and an increase of Bombilactobacillus spp. and Snodgrassella spp. The present study also shows an important effect of tetracycline that is focused on specific taxa with minor impact on alfa and beta diversity. Monitoring of antibiotic resistance genes confirmed that honeybees represent a great reservoir of tetracycline resistance genes. Tetracycline and sulfonamides resistance genes tended to increase in the gut microbiota population upon antibiotic administration. IMPORTANCE This study investigates the impact of the three most widely used antibiotics in the beekeeping sector (oxytetracycline, tylosin, and sulfonamides) on the honeybee gut microbiota and on the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. The research represents an advance to the present literature, considering that the tylo-sin and sulfonamides effects on the gut microbiota have never been studied. Another original aspect lies in the experimental approach used, as the study looks at the impact of veterinary drugs and feed supplements 24days after the beginning of the administration, in order to explore perturbations in newly eclosed honeybees, instead of the same treated honeybee generation. Moreover, the study was not performed with cage tests but in micro-hives, thus achieving conditions closer to real hives. The study reaches the conclusion that the most common veterinary drugs determine changes in some core microbiota members and that incidence of resistance genes for tetracycline and sulfonamides increases following antibiotic treatment