Structured reporting for fibrosing lung disease: a model shared by radiologist and pulmonologist

Objectives: To apply the Delphi exercise with iterative involvement of radiologists and pulmonologists with the aim of defining a structured reporting template for high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of patients with fibrosing lung disease (FLD). Methods: The writing committee selected the HRCT criteria\ue2\u80\u94the Delphi items\ue2\u80\u94for rating from both radiology panelists (RP) and pulmonology panelists (PP). The Delphi items were first rated by RPs as \ue2\u80\u9cessential\ue2\u80\u9d, \ue2\u80\u9coptional\ue2\u80\u9d, or \ue2\u80\u9cnot relevant\ue2\u80\u9d. The items rated \ue2\u80\u9cessential\ue2\u80\u9d by < 80% of the RP were selected for the PP rating. The format of reporting was rated by both RP and PP. Results: A total of 42 RPs and 12 PPs participated to the survey. In both Delphi round 1 and 2, 10/27 (37.7%) items were rated \ue2\u80\u9cessential\ue2\u80\u9d by more than 80% of RP. The remaining 17/27 (63.3%) items were rated by the PP in round 3, with 2/17 items (11.7%) rated \ue2\u80\u9cessential\ue2\u80\u9d by the PP. PP proposed additional items for conclusion domain, which were rated by RPs in the fourth round. Poor consensus was observed for the format of reporting. Conclusions: This study provides a template for structured report of FLD that features essential items as agreed by expert thoracic radiologists and pulmonologists

Species authentication of canned mackerel: Challenges in molecular identification and potential drivers of mislabelling

The market for canned mackerel is growing, due to their competitive price and to the excellent properties of the meat. However, the weak rules of current legislation, coupled with the loss of discrimination power due to being obliged to use short barcode regions, open up new challenges for traceability in processed products. In this study, for the first time, we applied a two-step mini-barcoding approach to identify canned mackerel sold in Italian markets and make assumptions on the potential drivers of mislabelling. Preliminary identification was performed using mini-barcode universal primers targeting a COI-fragment; then, in order to discriminate within the complex Scomber colias/S. japonicus/S. australasicus, we applied a second step, using new specific primers designed in the mitochondrial control region (D-loop). Comparison between labels and molecular identifications highlighted that the chance of mislabelling could be either 45% or 0%, depending on the interpretation of the generic terms used on the labels. Therefore, the study revealed that the ambiguous use, in the ingredient list, of ‘umbrella’ terms for naming fish species, such as ‘sgombro’ could be related to geographic origin of products and creates opportunities for fraudulent activities, but also misleads consumers. In light of this pattern, an urgent update of European legislation is needed to face current and future challenges for full chain traceability

Occurrence and characterization of Arcobacter spp. from ready-to-eat vegetables produced in Southern Italy

Given that the number of foodborne illness outbreaks linked to the consumption of ready-to-eat vegetables has been widely documented and considering that data on the occurrence of Arcobacter spp. in such foodstuffs are lacking, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of Arcobacter spp. and the occurrence of virulence factors as well as to genotype Arcobacter spp. in ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetable samples, using cultural and biomolecular assays. Arcobacter spp. was detected in 16/110 (14.5%) samples, with A. butzleri being detected in 15/16 and A. cryaerophilus in 1/16 isolates. PCRs aimed at the nine putative virulence genes demonstrated widespread distribution of such genes among A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus isolates. In addition, multilocus sequence type (MLST) analysis revealed a low genetic diversity within the arcobacters isolates. The results underline the need to develop an appropriate surveillance system based on biomolecular characterization for an integrated microbiological risk assessment of ready-toeat vegetables, and consequently of composite foods

Presenza e caratterizzazione di Arcobacter spp. in ortaggi di IV gamma prodotti in Italia meridionale

Le informazioni disponibili in letteratura relative alla presenza di Arcobacter spp. negli alimenti di origine vegetale sono attualmente carenti. Ampiamente documentato è, tuttavia, il ruolo assunto da tali alimenti nel determinismo di malattie a trasmissione alimentare. Obiettivo del presente studio è, pertanto, acquisire dati relativi alla presenza di Arcobacter spp. negli ortaggi ready-to-eat (RTE), evidenziare specifici tratti di virulenza e genotipizzare gli isolati, per implementare e attuare una mirata valutazione e relativa gestione del rischio microbiologico. Nell'ambito del presente lavoro sono stati considerati ortaggi RTE e, specificatamente, 56 campioni di lattuga e 54 campioni di rucola, provenienti da uno stabilimento di ortaggi di IV gamma sito nella regione Puglia. Il percorso sperimentale ha previsto, inizialmente, l’isolamento colturale di Arcobacter spp., effettuato su terreno solido specifico. Le colonie, isolate come appartenenti presumibilmente ad Arcobacter spp., sono state, quindi, identificate tramite Multiplex-PCR e sequenziamento del gene rpob. Gli isolati, successivamente, sono stati caratterizzati in base alla presenza di specifici fattori di virulenza e, infine, genotipizzati mediante Multi-Locus Sequence Type (MLST). L’isolamento colturale ha rilevato la presenza di Arcobacter spp. in 16/110 (14.5 %) ortaggi RTE e, in particolar modo, in 11 campioni di lattuga e 5 campioni di rucola. Dall'analisi biomolecolare effettuata sui 16 isolati, 15 sono risultati appartenere alla specie A. butzleri e 1 alla specie A. cryaerophilus. Sono stati inoltre rilevati specifici tratti di patogenicità diversamente distribuiti nei 16 isolati. La genotipizzazione eseguita mediante MLST ha evidenziato la presenza di soltanto 6 Sequence Type (STs) e, quindi, una esigua variabilità genetica, attribuibile probabilmente all'origine univoca dei campioni considerati. Lo studio conferma la presenza di Arcobacter spp. negli ortaggi RTE, imputabile principalmente alla contaminazione della materia prima e sollecita l’applicazione di appropriate e corrette pratiche agronomiche. L’impiego di fertilizzanti, quali letame e liquame non correttamente trattati, infatti, è la principale causa di contaminazione microbiologica dei vegetali. Inoltre l'individuazione di specifici fattori di virulenza e la genotipizzazione molecolare di A. butzleri e A. cryaerophilus, possibili responsabili di gastroenterite ad eziologia ignota, evidenziano la necessità di introdurre un sistema di sorveglianza basato sulla caratterizzazione biomolecolare per una integrata valutazione del rischio microbiologico degli ortaggi RTE, per implementare un innovativo controllo della filiera e, conseguentemente, degli alimenti composti