Isolation and Identification of Foodborne Pathogens of Special Interest in Food Safety

[ES] La seguridad alimentaria es una prioridad para la población y en la actualidad cobra mayor importancia por ciertas tendencias alimentarias como el consumo de alimentos crudos y la distribución generalizada de alimentos orgánicos, que pueden ser la causa de enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos. Para garantizar la seguridad alimentaria, la detección de estos microorganismos debe realizarse de manera rápida y eficiente. Par eso, el método de cultivo microbiológico se considera el oficial para la detección de estos patógenos. Sin embargo, adolece de importantes inconvenientes, ya que no solo requiere mucho tiempo, sino que también es laborioso y consume muchos recursos. Además, puede ser limitado con respecto a la detección de bacterias fisiológicamente alteradas y/o estresadas durante el almacenamiento y la conservación. En este trabajo se ha desarrollado un protocolo sencillo y rápido para la detección simultánea de E. coli, L. monocytogenes, S. aureus y S. enterica en alimentos, mediante la combinación de una etapa de co-cultivo en medio líquido y la detección por PCR múltiple. Se ha evaluado la eficiencia de varios medios de enriquecimiento y se seleccionó el agua de peptona tamponada como el medio óptimo para el co-cultivo de las cuatro bacterias diana. También se optimizaron las condiciones de PCR múltiple y se aplicaron tanto a co-cultivos como a muestras de alimentos inoculados artificialmente, lechuga orgánica y carne picada. Después de la optimización, la PCR múltiple desarrollada fue capaz de detectar las cuatro bacterias simultáneamente, hasta con una inoculación inicial de 10^0 UFC/mL. En presencia de ambas matrices alimentarias inoculadas, tras la etapa de co-cultivo, la PCR múltiple pudo detectar simultáneamente las 3 bacterias E. coli, S. enterica y L. monocytogenes, mientras que S. aureus se ha detectado por PCR simplex, a partir del mismo extracto de ADN del co-cultivo. Los resultados obtenidos permiten concluir que el uso de un paso de co-cultivo en Agua peptona tamponada, antes de la detección por PCR simple y múltiple, puede facilitar la detección simultánea de las cuatro bacterias potencialmente presentes en las matrices alimentarias. La presencia o ausencia de la bacteria diana en los alimentos se confirma en unas 30 horas, lo que reduce el tiempo requerido para la detección en comparación con el tiempo mínimo de 7 días por método cultural. Asimismo, permite reducir el número de medios de cultivo y reactivos, para el aislamiento e identificación de bacterias que no son detectadas por PCR y que no están presentes en las matrices alimentarias, lo que supone un importante ahorro económico.[CA] La seguretat alimentària sempre és una prioritat per a la població i en l' actualitat cobra major importància per certes tendències alimentàries, com el consum d' aliments crus i la distribució generalitzada d' aliments orgànics, que poden ser la causa de malalties transmeses per aliments. Per garantir la seguretat alimentària, la detecció d' aquests microorganismes s' ha de realitzar de manera ràpida i eficient. Per a això, el mètode de cultiu microbiològic es considera l' oficial per a la detecció d' aquests patògens. Però, hi ha importants inconvenients, ja que no només requereix més temps, sinó que també és laboriós i consumeix molts recursos. A més, pot ser limitat pel que fa a la detecció de bacteris fisiològicament alterats i/o estressats durant l'emmagatzematge i la conservació. En aquest treball s'ha desenvolupat un protocol senzill i ràpid per a la detecció simultània d' E. coli, L. monocytogenes, S. aureus i S. enterica en aliments, mitjançant la combinació d' una etapa de co-cultiu en medi líquid i la detecció per PCR múltiple. S'ha avaluat l'eficiència de diversos mitjans d'enriquiment i s'ha seleccionat l'aigua de peptona tamponada com el medi òptim per al co-cultiu dels quatre bacteris diana. També es van optimitzar les condicions de PCR múltiple i es van aplicar tant a co-cultius com a mostres d'aliments inoculats artificialment, enciam orgànic i carn picada. Després de l'optimització, la PCR múltiple desenvolupada va ser capaç de detectar els quatre bacteris simultàniament, fins a una inoculació inicial de 10^0 UFC/mL. En presència d' ambdues matrius alimentàries inoculades, després l' etapa de co-cultiu, la PCR múltiple va poder detectar simultàniament els 3 bacteris: E. coli, S. enterica i L. monocytogenes, mentre que S. aureus s' ha detectat per PCR simple, a partir del mateix extracte d' ADN del co-cultiu. Els resultats obtinguts permeten concloure que l' ús d' un pas de co-cultiu en Aigua de peptona tamponada, abans de la detecció per PCR simple i múltiple, pot facilitar la detecció simultània dels quatre bacteris potencialment presents en les matrius alimentàries. La presència o absència del bacteri diana en els aliments es confirma en unes 30 hores, la qual cosa redueix el temps requerit per a la detecció en comparació amb el temps mínim de 7 dies per mètode cultural. Així mateix, permet reduir el nombre de mitjans de cultiu i reactius, per a l' aïllament i identificació de bacteris que no són detectats per PCR i que no estan presents en les matrius alimentàries, la qual cosa suposa un important estalvi econòmic.[EN] Food safety is a priority for the population and is nowadays more important than ever due to certain dietary trends such as the consumption of raw foods and the widespread distribution of organic foods, which may be the cause of foodborne diseases. To ensure food safety, the detection of these microorganisms must be done quickly and efficiently. Although, the microbiological culture method is considered to be the official method for the detection of these food-borne pathogens, it suffers from significant drawbacks, such as time-consuming, laborious and expensive, in addition it may be limited regarding the detection of physiologically altered and/or stressed bacteria, during storage and preservation. In this work has been developed a simple and rapid protocol for the simultaneous detection of E. coli, L. monocytogenes, S. aureus and S. enterica in food, by combining a liquid co-culture step and detection by multiplex PCR. The efficiency of several enrichment media was evaluated and buffered peptone water was chosen as the optimal medium for the co-culture of the four target bacteria. Then, optimized multiplex PCR conditions were applied to both the co-cultures and the samples of artificially inoculated foods, organic lettuce and ground meat. After optimization, the developed multiplex PCR was able to simultaneously detect the four bacteria, up to an initial inoculation of 10^0 CFU/mL. In the presence of the two inoculated food matrices, after a co-culture step, the multiplex PCR could simultaneously detect the 3 bacteria: E. coli, S. enterica and L. monocytogenes, whereas, S. aureus has been detected by simplex PCR, from the same co-culture DNA template. The results obtained allow conclusion that the use of a co-culture step in Buffered Peptone Water, before detection by simplex and multiplex PCR, can facilitate the simultaneous detection of the four bacteria potentially present in the food matrices. The presence or the absence of the target bacteria in food is confirmed in approximately 30 hours, which reduce the time required for the detection compared to the minimum time of 7 days by cultural method. Also, it allows to reduce the number of culture media and reagents, for the isolation and identification of bacteria that are not detected by PCR and which are not initially present in the food matrices, which represents a significant economic savings.Boukharouba, A. (2022). Isolation and Identification of Foodborne Pathogens of Special Interest in Food Safety [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/182828TESI

Rôle de l'AmtB dans la régulation de la nitrogénase et la production d'hydrogène chez la bactérie Rhodobacter capsulatus

L’azote est l’élément le plus abondant dans l’atmosphère terrestre avec un pourcentage atteignant 78 %. Composant essentiel pour la biosynthèse des matériels organiques cellulaires, il est inutilisable sous sa forme diatomique (N2) très stable par la plupart des organismes. Seules les bactéries dites diazotrophiques comme Rhodobacter capsulatus sont capables de fixer l’azote moléculaire N2 par le biais de la synthèse d’une enzyme, la nitrogénase. Cette dernière catalyse la réduction du N2 en ammonium (NH4) qui peut alors être assimilé par d’autres organismes. La synthèse et l’activité de la nitrogénase consomment beaucoup d’énergie ce qui implique une régulation rigoureuse et son inhibition tant qu’une quantité suffisante d’ammonium est disponible. Parmi les protéines impliquées dans cette régulation, la protéine d’intérêt AmtB est un transporteur membranaire responsable de la perception et le transport de l’ammonium. Chez R. capsulatus, il a été démontré que suite à l’addition de l’ammonium, l’AmtB inhibe de façon réversible (switch off/switch on) l’activité de la nitrogénase en séquestrant la protéine PII GlnK accompagnée de l’ajout d’un groupement ADP ribose sur la sous unités Fe de l’enzyme par DraT. De plus, la formation de ce complexe à lui seul ne serait pas suffisant pour cette inactivation, ce qui suggère la séquestration d’une troisième protéine, DraG, afin d’inhiber son action qui consiste à enlever l’ADP ribose de la nitrogénase et donc sa réactivation. Afin de mieux comprendre le fonctionnement de l’AmtB dans la régulation et le transport de l’ammonium à un niveau moléculaire et par la même occasion la fixation de l’azote, le premier volet de ce mémoire a été d’introduire une mutation ponctuelle par mutagénèse dirigée au niveau du résidu conservé W237 de l’AmtB. La production d’hydrogène est un autre aspect longtemps étudié chez R. capsulatus. Cette bactérie est capable de produire de l’hydrogène à partir de composés organiques par photofermentation suite à l’intervention exclusive de la nitrogénase. Plusieurs études ont été entreprises afin d’améliorer la production d’hydrogène. Certaines d’entre elles se sont intéressées à déterminer les conditions optimales qui confèrent une production maximale de gaz tandis que d’autres s’intéressent au fonctionnement de la bactérie elle même. Ainsi, le fait que la bioproduction de H2 par fermentation soit catalysée par la nitrogénase cela implique la régulation de l’activité de cette dernière par différents mécanismes dont le switch off par ADP ribosylation de l’enzyme. De ce fait, un mutant de R. capsulatus dépourvu d’AmtB (DG9) a été étudié dans la deuxième partie de cette thèse en termes d’activité de la nitrogénase, de sa modification par ADP ribosylation avec la détection des deux protéines GlnK et DraG qui interviennent dans cette régulation pour connaitre l’influence de différents acides aminés sur la régulation de la nitrogénase et pour l‘utilisation future de cette souche dans la production d’H2 car R. capsulatus produit de l’hydrogène par photofermentation grâce à cette enzyme. Les résultats obtenus ont révélé une activité de la nitrogénase continue et ininterrompue lorsque l’AmtB est absent avec une activité maximale quand la proline est utilisée comme source d’azote durant la culture bactérienne ce qui implique donc que l’abolition de l’activité de cette protéine entraine une production continue d’H2 chez R. capsulatus lorsque la proline est utilisée comme source d’azote lors de la culture bactérienne. Par ailleurs, avec des Western blots on a pu déterminer l’absence de régulation par ADP ribosylation ainsi que les expressions respectives de GlnK et DraG inchangées entre R. capsulatus sauvage et muté. En conclusion, la nitrogénase n’est pas modifiée et inhibée lorsque l’amtB est muté ce qui fait de la souche R. capsulatus DG9 un candidat idéal pour la production de biohydrogène en particulier lorsque du glucose et de la proline sont respectivement utilisés comme source de carbone et d'azote pour la croissance.Nitrogen is the most abundant element in the Earth's atmosphere with a percentage of 78 %. This element is essential for the biosynthesis of cellular organic material and is unusable in its stable diatomic form (N2) by most organisms. Only bacteria called diazotrophs such as Rhodobacter capsulatus are able to fix molecular nitrogen N2 through the synthesis of the nitrogenase enzyme. The latter catalyzes the reduction of N2 to NH4 which can then be absorbed by other organisms. The synthesis and activity of nitrogenase consumes a lot of energy and therefore implies a strict regulation and its inhibition when a sufficient amount of ammonium is available. Among the proteins involved in this regulation, is the membrane transporter AmtB which is responsible for the sensing and transportation of ammonia. In R. capsulatus, it was shown that following the addition of ammonium, AmtB reversibly inhibits (switch off / switch on) nitrogenase activity by sequestering the PII protein GlnK accompanied by the addition of an ADP ribose group onto the Fe subunit of the enzyme by DraT. In addition, the formation of this complex alone would not be sufficient for this inactivation, suggesting the sequestration of a third protein, DraG is required to inhibit its action of removing the ADP ribose from the nitrogenase and therefore its reactivation. To better understand the role of the AmtB in the fixation of nitrogen, regulation and transport of ammonium at the molecular level, the first part of this study was to introduce a point mutation by directed mutagenesis in the conserved residue W237 of AmtB . Hydrogen production is another property of R. capsulatus that has been studied for a long time. This bacterium is capable of producing hydrogen from organic compounds following photofermentation and the exclusive enzymatic intervention of nitrogenase. Several studies have been undertaken to improve the production of hydrogen. Some of them were involved in determining the optimum conditions that give maximum gas production while others were interested in improving the growth of the bacterium itself. Thus, since the bio-production of H2 by fermentation is catalyzed by the nitrogenase, it is important to study the regulation of the activity of this enzyme by different mechanisms such as the switch off by ADP ribosylation. Therefore, a mutant of R. capsulatus (DG9) lacking AmtB was studied in the second part of this thesis for its nitrogenase activity, its modification by GlnK-DraG, and to see the effects of different amino acids used in the growth medium on the regulation and therefore the future use of this strain for the production of H2. The results showed a continuous and uninterrupted activity of the nitrogenase when AmtB was absent with a maximum activity when proline was used as a nitrogen source for bacterial growth. In addition, Western blots were used to demonstrate the effect of ADP ribosylation on regulation and that the expression of GlnK and DraG were unchanged between the wild –type and mutant R. capsulatus. In conclusion, nitrogenase is not modified or inhibited when mutated amtB what makes the R. capsulatus strain DG9 an ideal candidate for biohydrogen production especially when glucose and proline are respectively used as source carbon and nitrogen for growth

Simultaneous Detection of Four Main Foodborne Pathogens in Ready-to-Eat Food by Using a Simple and Rapid Multiplex PCR (mPCR) Assay

[EN] The increasing consumption of organic or ready-to-eat food may cause serious foodborne outbreaks. Microbiological culture for detection of food-borne pathogens is time-consuming, expensive and laborious. Thus, alternative methods such as PCR are usually employed for outbreaks investigation. In this work we aimed to develop a rapid and simple protocol for the simultaneous detection of E. coli, L. monocytogenes, S. aureus and S. enterica, by the combination of an enrichment step in a single culture broth and a multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay. The effectiveness of several enrichment media was assessed by culture and PCR. Buffered Peptone Water was selected as the optimum one. Then, mPCR conditions were optimized and applied both, to pure co-cultures and artificially inoculated food samples (organic lettuce and minced meat). In culture medium inoculated at 100 CFU/mL, mPCR was able to detect the four microorganisms. When performed on artificially food samples, the mPCR was able to detect E. coli, S. enterica and L. monocytogenes. In conclusion, Buffered Peptone Water broth can effectively support the simultaneous growth of E. coli, S. aureus, L. monocytogenes and S. enterica and could be, thus, used prior to a mPCR detection assay in ready-to-eat food, therefore considerably reducing time, efforts and costs of analyzes.FundingThis research was funded by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion, Spain, Grant number PID2019-105691RB-I00. Miguel Garcia-Ferrus is the recipient of a PEJ2018- 003746A Grant from Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad, Spain.Boukharouba, A.; González Pellicer, A.; García-Ferrús, M.; Ferrús Pérez, MA.; Botella Grau, MS. (2022). Simultaneous Detection of Four Main Foodborne Pathogens in Ready-to-Eat Food by Using a Simple and Rapid Multiplex PCR (mPCR) Assay. International Journal of Environmental research and Public Health. 19(3):1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph1903103111819

A high precision n-p scattering measurement at 14.9 MeV

The n-p scattering angular distribution was measured with 14.9 MeV incident neutrons using the traditional time-of-flight technique with neutron-gamma discrimination. The scattering angle varied from 20o to 65o (laboratory system) in 5o incremental steps. The efficiency of the neutron detectors was measured in the energy range 2–9 MeV relative to the 252Cf-standard, and was calculated using Monte Carlo methods in the 2–14 MeV energy range. Two methods of analysis were applied for experimental and simulated data: a traditional approach with a fixed threshold, and a dynamic threshold approach. The present data agree with the ENDF/B-VII evaluation for the shape of n-p angular distribution within about 1.5%

Collective Quadrupole Behavior in \u3csup\u3e106\u3c/sup\u3ePd

Excited states in 106Pd were studied with the (n,n′γ) reaction, and comprehensive information for excitations with spin ≤6ℏ was obtained. The data include level lifetimes in the femtosecond regime, spins and parities, transition multipolarities, and multipole mixing ratios, which allow the determination of reduced transition probabilities. The E2 decay strength to the low-lying states is mapped up to ≈2.4 MeV in excitation energy. The structures associated with quadrupole collectivity are elucidated and organized into bands

MEASUREMENTS OF THE H(N,N) ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION OF 10MEV NEUTRON ENERGY.

Relative measurements of the cross section for scattering of neutrons by protons have been made at 10 MeV neutron energy for center-of-mass neutron scattering angles from 60' to 180'. The measurements were made using the Ohio University Accelerator Laboratory's tandem Van de Graaff accelerator with the D(d,n) reaction as the neutron source. The data are in good agreement with predictions from the phase shift analyses of Arndt, the groups of Nijmegen and Bonn, and the ENDF/B-V evaluation. The ENDF/B-VI evaluation does not appear to have the same angular dependence as the data. KEYWORDS: hydrogen cross section, neutron cross section standard, hydrogen angular distribution standar

Accelerated radiation damage test facility using a 5 MV tandem ion accelerator

We have developed a new irradiation facility that allows to perform accelerated damage tests of nuclear reactor materials at temperatures up to 400�C using the intense proton (<100 μA) and heavy ion (≈10 μA) beams produced by a 5 MV tandem ion accelerator. The dedicated beam line for radiation damage studies comprises: (1) beam diagnosis and focusing optical components, (2) a scanning and slit system that allows uniform irradiation of a sample area of 0.5-6 cm 2 , and (3) a sample stage designed to be able to monitor in-situ the sample temperature, current deposited on the sample, and the gamma spectrum of potential radio-active nuclides produced during the sample irradiation. The beam line capabilities have been tested by irradiating a 20Cr-25Ni-Nb stabilised stainless steel with a 3 MeV proton beam to a dose level of 3 dpa. The irradiation temperature was 356�C, with a maximum range in temperature values of �6�C within the first 24 h of continuous irradiation. The sample stage is connected to ground through an electrometer to measure accurately the charge deposited on the sample. The charge can be integrated in hardware during irradiation, and this methodology removes uncertainties due to fluctuations in beam current. The measured gamma spectrum allowed the identification of the main radioactive nuclides produced during the proton bombardment from the lifetimes and gamma emissions. This dedicated radiation damage beam line is hosted by the Dalton Cumbrian Facility of the University of Manchester

Effet de la température et de la déformation plastique sur les mécanismes et cinétiques de recristallisation, de précipitation et de dissolution discontinue dans les alliages métalliques binaires et ternaires

Ce travail a pour but de mettre en évidence, d’une part l’effet de la déformation plastique et de la température sur les mécanismes de la recristallisation et de la précipitation discontinue et d’autre part l’effet de la température sur les mécanismes et le comportement de la réaction inverse qui est la dissolution du précipité, dans les alliages Cu-4,6 at.% In, Al-15 at.% Zn, Al-Si 8at.%Cu3at.% et Mg-8 mass.% Al. Différentes techniques d’analyse ont été utilisées à cet égard pour le suivi de l’évolution microstructurale et des propriétés mécaniques lors des différents traitements thermomécaniques tels que : - La microscopie optique. - La microdureté Vickers (HV). Les résultats obtenus sont cohérents entre eux et confirment plusieurs travaux consacrés à l’étude de ces réactions. Mots clés :Recristallisation ;précipitation ;dissolution ;déformation ;température;déformation plastiqu