Virulence reduction in bacteriophage resistant bacteria

Bacteriophages can influence the abundance, diversity and evolution of bacterial communities. Several bacteriophages have been reported to add virulence factors to their host and to increase bacterial virulence. However, lytic bacteriophages can also exert a selective pressure allowing the proliferation of strains with reduced virulence. This reduction can be explained because bacteriophages use structures present on the bacterial surface as receptors, which can be virulence factors in different bacterial species. Therefore, strains with modifications in these receptors will be resistant to bacteriophage infection and may also exhibit reduced virulence. This mini-review summarizes the reports on bacteriophage-resistant strains with reductions in virulence, and it discusses the potential consequences in phage therapy and in the use of bacteriophages to select attenuated strains for vaccines

Desarrollar una propuesta para la implementación de centro de gestión de residuos en una empresa distribuidora de alimentos

Tesis (Ingeniero Civil Industrial)En nuestro país, el manejo de los residuos es un tema preocupante para los todos los sectores sociales, aunque sin soluciones efectivas. La complejidad del tema nos enfrenta a estándares de producción y consumo que favorecen la generación de residuos cada vez mayor. Esto se debe entre otros factores: Al proceso de crecimiento, distribución y concentración de la población; asimismo al mayor consumo, producto del aumento de los ingresos. En la actualidad nuestro país genera 6,5 millones de toneladas anuales de residuos domiciliarios, de los cuales, la región del Bío-Bío aporta con 645 mil toneladas, que equivale a 10% de total de residuos que genera el país. Es por eso, que es de vital importancia lograr un cambio en el manejo actual de los residuos. Este cambio se puede realizar a través de la estrategia de jerarquización de los residuos. Esto es Prevenir, Reutilizar, Reciclar y valorización energética de los residuos. Este proyecto tiene como finalidad disminuir la cantidad de desechos depositados en la región. Para implementar este proyecto es primordial utilizar la estrategia de jerarquización de residuos con esto se pretende lograr tender acero basura en la sucursal donde se pretende realizar. Esto se logrará a través del reciclaje de los materiales de empaque de los productos y materiales de oficina, y la propuesta de implementación de un biodigestor para los alimentos desechados. Este biodigestor generará biogás que posteriormente se transformará en electricidad. La cual será utilizada para iluminar la sucursal. Este proceso de cambio en el manejo de sus residuos traerá varios beneficios a la compañía, entre los cuales se pueden mencionar: Permitir a la compañía adecuarse con la nueva ley de Responsabilidad extendida del productor. Incorporarse a las empresas que participan en la generación ERNC. Realizar ahorro significativo en gastos de manejo de residuos y consumo eléctrico. Cambio cultural y social de los trabajadores de la sucursal Mejorar la imagen corporativa de la empresa y su RSE

Garlic (Allium sativum L) and Its beneficial properties for health: A Review

Generally, chefs use garlic as an ingredient that enhances the sensory qualities of foods. However, recent studies have shown that garlic contains Sulphur compounds, which provide a health benefit. This review identifies and describes those constituents in garlic responsible for their anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and in some cases anti-cancer properties. Also, this review reports the chemical and nutritional contents of garlic (Allium sativum L.) and shows its health benefits for humans. A large variability and diversity in the nutritional content of garlic was found in the literature, including functional properties (antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, and immunological), and many health benefit components, such as antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, antiatherogenic, anticarcinogenic, antitumor, antiaggregant, fibrinolytic, immunomodulatory, and antianemic. Allicin and ajoene were identified among some of the compounds in garlic which are beneficial for human health. Quantity varies depending on bulb maturity and harvest location, and values range between approximately 1mg/g and 9mg/g for allicin and 0.12 mg/g to 0.22 mg/g of garlic oil macerate for ajoene

Inactivation of Coronaviruses in food industry: The use of inorganic and organic disinfectants, ozone, and UV radiation

Currently there is a worldwide pandemic due to Covid-19, which has caused a great impact on humanity in social, economic, psychological aspects and unfortunately on health. Due to the risk that food can also be a medium to cause virus diseases, the procedures in the food industry safety programs must be revised; and, to be more specific, to disinfect Covid-19. Some effective disinfectants that have been proved to inactivate the coronavirus are: chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite, quaternary compound, ozone and UV-C (shortwave ultraviolet light). In this review, some treatments used to inactivate a virus, with an emphasis to the coronavirus family, and other influenza viruses, are reported. It has been concluded that the coronavirus could be inactivated using free chlorine solutions at 30 mg/L, sodium hypochlorite 0.25 %, or Chlorine Dioxide (99% purity) diluted at 1/2.5 relation. Also, alcohol is an effective disinfectant at concentrations of 62 to 71% of ethanol. With respect to the use of the quaternary compound, it can be used at concentrations of 0.10%. Ozone is another promising disinfectant to inactivate the coronavirus and Covid-19. Doses of ozone between 10 to 20 ppm for 10 to 15 minutes are recommended to inactivate the coronavirus with 3.5 log10 reductions. However, a warning should be reported to the use of high doses of exposure because it can be a risk to human health. UV-C can inactivate the coronavirus at a value of 67 J/m2 by 1 to 30 minutes of exposure.Currently there is a worldwide pandemic due to Covid-19, which has caused a great impact on humanity in social, economic, psychological aspects and unfortunately on health. Due to the risk that food can also be a medium to cause virus diseases, the procedures in the food industry safety programs must be revised; and, to be more specific, to disinfect Covid-19. Some effective disinfectants that have been proved to inactivate the coronavirus are: chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite, quaternary compound, ozone and UV-C (shortwave ultraviolet light). In this review, some treatments used to inactivate a virus, with an emphasis to the coronavirus family, and other influenza viruses, are reported. It has been concluded that the coronavirus could be inactivated using free chlorine solutions at 30 mg/L, sodium hypochlorite 0.25 %, or Chlorine Dioxide (99% purity) diluted at 1/2.5 relation. Also, alcohol is an effective disinfectant at concentrations of 62 to 71% of ethanol. With respect to the use of the quaternary compound, it can be used at concentrations of 0.10%. Ozone is another promising disinfectant to inactivate the coronavirus and Covid-19. Doses of ozone between 10 to 20 ppm for 10 to 15 minutes are recommended to inactivate the coronavirus with 3.5 log10 reductions. However, a warning should be reported to the use of high doses of exposure because it can be a risk to human health. UV-C can inactivate the coronavirus at a value of 67 J/m2 by 1 to 30 minutes of exposure

Agricultural, forestry, textile and food waste used in the manufacture of biomass briquettes: a review

In recent decades there has been a considerable global increase in urban population, industrial productivity, energy demand, waste generation, and the emission of greenhouse gases from energy conversion. The agricultural, forestry, textile and food sectors generate large amounts of waste and their environmental impact has become a major cause for concern in societies around the world. Current efforts are concerned with maximization of combustion efficiency and energy-related processes in general by making use of industrial residues and reducing particulate matter. The present review addresses the availability of different types of biomass that can be used to produce renewable energy and focuses on agricultural, forestry, urban and industrial residues. It also provides a description of the physical and calorific characteristics of the various raw materials available for the manufacture of briquettes and other fossil fuel alternatives

Genetic and Phenotypic Characterization of Indole-Producing Isolates of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae Obtained From Chilean Kiwifruit Orchards

In recent years, Chilean kiwifruit production has been affected by the phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), which has caused losses to the industry. In this study, we report the genotypic and phenotypic characterization of 18 Psa isolates obtained from Chilean kiwifruits orchards between 2012 and 2016 from different geographic origins. Genetic analysis by multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using four housekeeping genes (gyrB, rpoD, gltA, and gapA) and the identification of type III effector genes suggest that the Chilean Psa isolates belong to the Psa Biovar 3 cluster. All of the isolates were highly homogenous in regard to their phenotypic characteristics. None of the isolates were able to form biofilms over solid plastic surfaces. However, all of the isolates formed cellular aggregates in the air–liquid interface. All of the isolates, except for Psa 889, demonstrated swimming motility, while only isolate Psa 510 demonstrated swarming motility. The biochemical profiles of the isolates revealed differences in 22% of the tests in at least one Psa isolate when analyzed with the BIOLOG system. Interestingly, all of the isolates were able to produce indole using a tryptophan-dependent pathway. PCR analysis revealed the presence of the genes aldA/aldB and iaaL/matE, which are associated with the production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indole-3-acetyl-3-L-lysine (IAA-Lys), respectively, in P. syringae. In addition, IAA was detected in the cell free supernatant of a representative Chilean Psa strain. This work represents the most extensive analysis in terms of the time and geographic origin of Chilean Psa isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Psa being able to produce IAA. Further studies are needed to determine the potential role of IAA in the virulence of Psa during kiwifruit infections and whether this feature is observed in other Psa biovars

La murta (Ugni molinae) y sus propiedades benéficas para la salud: Una revisión

Currently there is a great demand for food products containing functional properties and/or bioactive compounds. One of the fruits that has been widely studied is the murta (Ugni molinae), which appears to contain various beneficial health properties. This review compiles scientific information on the functional and beneficial properties of murta for human health, such as the main components associated with anti-inflammatory activity, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, nutritional composition, other uses of murta, economic aspects, and current and future challenges of murta, all based on updated scientific work.Actualmente existe una gran demanda de productos alimenticios que contengan propiedades funcionales y/o compuestos bioactivos. Uno de los frutos que ha sido ampliamente estudiado es la murta (Ugni molinae), el cual parece contener diversas propiedades benéficas para la salud. En la presente revisión se recopila información científica de las propiedades funcionales y benéficas de la murta para la salud humana; como, por ejemplo, los principales componentes asociados a la actividad antiinflamatoria, actividad antimicrobiana, actividad antioxidante, composición nutricional, otros usos de la murta, aspectos económicos, retos actuales y futuros de la murta; todo basado en trabajos científicos actualizados

Vibrio genomes accession numbers, prophages accession numbers, zot sequence accession numbers

The data contain all the accession numbers of the vibrio genomes, prophages, and zot sequences used in the manuscript entitled "Prophages carrying zot toxins on different Vibrio genomes: a comprehensive assessment using multi-layer networks".</p

In situ antimicrobial behavior of materials with copper-based additives in a hospital environment

© 2018 Elsevier B.V. and International Society of Chemotherapy Copper and its alloys are effective antimicrobial surface materials in the laboratory and in clinical trials. Copper has been used in the healthcare setting to reduce environmental contamination, and thus prevent healthcare-associated infections, complementing traditional protocols. The addition of copper nanoparticles to polymer/plastic matrices can also produce antimicrobial materials, as confirmed under laboratory conditions. However, there is a lack of studies validating the antimicrobial effects of these nanocomposite materials in clinical trials. To satisfy this issue, plastic waiting room chairs with embedded metal copper nanoparticles, and metal hospital IV pools coated with an organic paint with nanostructured zeolite/copper particles were produced and tested in a hospital environment. These prototypes were sampled once weekly for 10 weeks and the viable microorganisms were analysed and compared with the copper–fr