Metabiotic effects of Fusarium spp. on Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes on raw portioned tomatoes.

The metabiotic effects of Fusarium proliferatum, F. avenaceum, and F. oxysporum on Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in fresh tomatoes were investigated. Tomatoes were preinoculated with the molds and incubated at 15 degrees C for 7 days; then they were inoculated separately with the pathogens, packaged in air and modified atmosphere (5% O2, 30% CO2, and 65% N2), and stored at 4, 8, and 12 degrees C for 9 days. The cell loads of pathogens and lactic acid bacteria and the pH were evaluated periodically. The data were modeled through some different mathematical models to assess the shoulder length, i.e., the time before the beginning of the exponential death phase, the 1-log reduction time (s), and the pathogen death time (deltastand). The preinoculation of tomatoes with the molds enhanced the survival of E. coli O157:H7 by prolonging shoulder length and 8 parameters; this effect, however, was not observed for L. monocytogenes. pH values did not undergo significant changes within the storage time, and the lactic acid bacteria increased from 5 to 7 log CFU/g, without significant differences among the storage temperatures or the packaging atmospheres. The results of this research showed that the use of fresh tomatoes colonized by fusaria (even if the contamination is not visible) could increase significantly the risk of outbreaks due to some pathogens that could be on the surface of fruits and vegetables as a result of cross-contamination at home or incorrect postharvest operations

Modelling the Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on Raw Portioned Tomatoes, Inoculated with Aspergillus fumigatus and Emericella nidulans

The metabiotic interactions occurring among two fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus and Emericella nidulans) and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on raw portioned tomatoes were studied. Tomatoes, preinoculated with the moulds and inoculated with the pathogen, were packaged in air and stored at 4, 8 and 12∘C for 9 days; pathogen cell number and pH were monitored throughout the storage and the data were modeled using three different equations (Geeraerd, Weibull, and modified Weibull), to assess the shoulder length, the 1-log reduction time, and the death time. Both A. fumigatus and E. nidulans increased the survival of E. coli O157:H7 through the prolongation of the shoulder length; in contrast, the death time was significantly increased. The results of this paper suggested that the metabiotic interactions aspergilli/E. coli O 157:H7 could be of public concern, as the consumption of tomatoes (or other fruits and vegetables) contaminated both by the moulds and the pathogen is a possible scenario

The Stress of Competing: Cortisol and Amylase Response to Training and Competition

TeamGym is a popular form of gymnastics, including tumbling (Tu), trampette (Tr) and floor exercises (F) characterized by intensive practice placing high levels of stress on athletes. The aim of the study was to investigate athletes’ stress-related changes during TeamGym training and competition, considering hormonal and enzymatic responses (i.e., salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase). Ten (5 males and 5 females) TeamGym athletes (age: 22–28 y) were tested twice at the same time before training and competition; furthermore, for excluding circadian effect on hormonal and enzymatic responses, they were tested at the same time during a rest day. Alpha-amylase and cortisol were measured 15 min before the beginning of exercise, after each gymnastic equipment performance, and after thirty minutes from the end of the performance. Factorial ANOVA with repeated measures was used to verify differences between training and competition (p < 0.05). Competition elicited higher values of alpha-amylase than training (p ranging from 0.001 to 0.019) and rest (p ranging from 0.001 to 0.019). Cortisol showed no exercise induced increase, and its concentrations were higher prior to training compared to competition. TeamGym responses confirm other sports findings in stating that competition elicits higher stress response than training and suggest that salivary alpha-amylase is a more sensitive marker than cortisol to psychophysiological stress also in gymnastics intermittent performance

DISCREPANZA TRA DOSE DIALITICA PRESCRITTA E DOSE DIALITICA SOMMINISTRATA NELLE TERAPIE SOSTITUTIVE RENALI CONTINUE (CRRT)

I periodi di interruzione del trattamento (down time) e la discrepanza tra dose dialitica prescritta e dose somministrata sono spesso riportati come un limite delle CRRT. Tutta- via, a nostra conoscenza, non sono disponibili studi che abbiano quantificato, oltre al down time, la “perdita” di dose determinata dalle numerose interruzioni dei flussi che si verificano durante CRRT per le cause più svariate (allarmi, sostituzione sacche, accesso vascolare). Scopo. Valutare, durante CRRT e senza considerare i periodi di down time, l’entità della discrepanza tra dose dialitica prescritta e dose somministrata cercando di identificare, inoltre, le reali cause di interruzione del trattamento. Metodi. In pazienti (pz) “critici” con IRA sottoposti a CRRT sono stati utilizzati monitor Pri- smaflex Hospal in grado di trasferire su “PC Card” le seguenti informazioni rilevate ogni minuto o al verificarsi di eventi: modifiche flussi, allarmi, pressioni (arteriosa, pre-filtro, venosa, TMP), soluzioni (quantità effettiva dialisato e/o reinfusione, rimozione liquidi, effluente). L’analisi dei dati era finalizzata a determinare: durata CRRT, dose dialitica somministrata, cause di conclusione CRRT. Quest’ultime erano messe a confronto con quelle segnalate sulla scheda infermieristica. Era prescritta una dose dialitica iniziale di 35 ml/kg/h (flusso effluente), modificabile secondo esigenze cliniche. Membrane: AN69 o PAES. Protocollo anticoagulazione: eparina standard o metodiche alternative (senza eparina, citrato). Risultati. In 36 pz (22 M, 14 F, età 64.6±10.8) sono stati esaminati 153 circuiti (104 CV- VHDF, 31 CVVHD, 18 CVVH) per un totale di 185 gg di CRRT. Durata circuiti: 29.1±20.6 h (mediana 22.9) senza differenze significative tra le metodiche (CVVHDF 29.6±19.6; CVVHD 27.4±19.7; CVVH 29.1±22.5). Cause conclusione: coagulazione (32%), malfun- zionamento CVC (24%), malfunzionamento o errore bilance (18%), allarme trasduttori- sensori (11%), programmata (7%), procedure diagnostico-terapeutiche (4%), aria circuito (4%). La coagulazione del circuito riportata sulla scheda infermieristica (51.6%) era netta- mente sovrastimata rispetto a quanto emerso dall’analisi dei dati (32%). La differenza tra dose dialitica somministrata e dose prescritta era significativa (28.6±7.5 vs 30.6±7.8 ml/ Kg/h, p10%. Conclusioni. La nostra esperienza evidenzia che le interruzioni temporanee della CRRT, le- gate alla gestione del circuito, rappresentano una causa spesso trascurata di discrepanza tra dose dialitica prescritta e dose somministrata. L’entità della “perdita” di dose potrebbe apparire modesta ma, sommandosi al down time, merita di essere rilevata potendo assu- mere significato nel singolo pz e variare notevolmente in relazione a cause tecniche e/o esperienza dell’operatore. La possibilità di individuare con maggiore precisione le cause di sospensione della CRRT potrebbe ridurre il rischio di modificazioni non necessarie del protocollo di anticoagulazione

PROTOCOLLO DI ANTICOAGULAZIONE REGIONALE CON CITRATO IN CVVH: RISULTATI PRELIMINARI.

Introduzione. L’anticoagulazione (AC) rappresenta uno dei problemi più controversi nelle CRRT. In pazienti ad alto rischio emorragico è possibile effettuare la CRRT senza eparina o con protocolli di AC alternativi. Tra questi l’AC regionale con citrato sembra essere il più efficace. Scopo. Valutare, in pazienti “critici” con IRA sottoposti a CVVH, efficacia e tollerabilità dell’AC regionale con una soluzione di citrato a bassa concentrazione. Pazienti e Metodi. In pazienti post-cardiochirurgici ad elevato rischio emorragico, ab- biamo adottato l’AC regionale con citrato come protocollo di prima scelta. La CVVH è stata effettuata utilizzando, in pre-diluizione, la soluzione Prismocitrate 10/2 (Hospal) (citrato trisodico 10 mmol/l-acido citrico 2 mmol/l). La velocità iniziale di reinfusione era impostata in relazione al flusso ematico (Qb) al fine di mantenere una concentrazione di citrato nel circuito di 2-3 mmol/l e modificata in base ai controlli di Ca++ circuito (c-Ca++) eseguiti ogni 6h (target < 0.4 mmol/l). La dose dialitica prescritta era ottenuta aggiun- gendo, in post-diluizione, una soluzione con tampone bicarbonato (30 mEq/l) e Ca++ (2 mmol/l). I valori di Ca++ sistemico (s-Ca++) erano mantenuti al target di 1.1-1.25 mmol/l tramite infusione di CaCl2 (10%) in linea venosa centrale. Risultati. Sono stati sottoposti a CVVH con citrato 7 pazienti (età 69.4±9.5) con IRA post-cardiochirurgica (SOFA score 15.2±2.8, SOFA cardiovascolare 2.5±1.5). Parame- tri CVVH: dose dialitica 35.3±2.2 ml/Kg/h; Qb 138.6±28.3 mL/min; Q Prismocitrate 10/2: 2100±200 ml/h; carico metabolico di citrato 15.4±1.6 mmol/h; infusione CaCl2 6±0.8 mL/h. Sono state effettuate 1795 h di CVVH (n=39 circuiti). La durata dei circuiti è stata 46±33.5 h (mediana 38 h). In nessun caso la CVVH è stata interrotta per coagu- lazione dell’emofiltro. Cause di interruzione: 23% malfunzionamento CVC, 28% errore o problema tecnico, 15% procedure diagnostiche/terapeutiche, 13% interruzione pro- grammata, 21% altre cause. Nessun paziente ha presentato complicanze emorragiche. I valori di c-Ca++ e di s-Ca++ sono stati agevolmente mantenuti entro il target (0.37±0.07 e 1.21±0.14 mmol/l, rispettivamente). Il controllo metabolico è stato soddisfacente (Cr 1.71±0.9 e BUN 36.1±14.3 mg/dl). Nella maggior parte dei pazienti la persistenza di acidosi metabolica ha richiesto la somministrazione di NaHCO3 (110.7±109.5 mEq/die) nonostante in nessun caso siano stati evidenziati segni indiretti di accumulo di citrato (Calcemia totale /s-Ca++ ratio costantemente < 2.5). La velocità di infusione di CaCl2 è stata 4.2±1.2 ml/h (Ca elemento 2.86±0.8 mmol/h). Conclusioni. Nella nostra esperienza, la CVVH con citrato ha consentito di ottenere, in assenza di complicanze emorragiche ed elettrolitiche, una durata dei circuiti compatibile con un controllo metabolico ottimale limitando i periodi di down-time legati a problemi di coagulazione. Emerge, tuttavia, la necessità di una modulazione del bilancio dei tamponi attraverso l’impiego di soluzioni di citrato e/o bicarbonato a concentrazioni più elevate

Guinea worm wrap-up

Sudan has reported 21,433 cases of dracunculiasis in January-July 2002, which is 73% of the global total of cases reported for that period. Whereas 36% of 8,058 endemic villages reported in January-July 2001, 62% of 6,224 endemic villages reported during the same period of 2002. The latest update on the status of the program was discussed during the annual Program Review of the Guinea Worm Eradication Programs of Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda, which was held in Nairobi, Kenya on September 30 \ue2\u20ac\u201c October 2. The percentage of known endemic villages with nylon filters in every household increased from 29% to 58% between 2001 and 2002, and over 7 million pipe filters were distributed in 2001. Health education talks by village volunteers have increased from 50% to 83% of endemic villages, and are increasingly supplemented by radio broadcasts in local languages. Abate usage is still limited in all but the northern states of the country

Characterization of Botryosphaeriaceae Species as Causal Agents of Trunk Diseases on Grapevines

Botryosphaeriaceae spp. have a cosmopolitan distribution and a wide range of plant hosts. Over the last 15 years, worldwide, 21 species of this family have been associated with grapevine trunk diseases that cause cankers and dieback on grapevines. Here, we surveyed vineyards of Vitis vinifera ‘Lambrusco’, ‘Sangiovese’, and ‘Montepulciano’ in three areas of the Foggia province (Cerignola, Foggia, and San Severo) in southern Italy. Wood samples from grapevines showing general decline, dieback, cankers, and wood and foliar discoloration yielded 344 fungal isolates identified as Botryosphaeriaceae spp.Aphylogenetic study combining internal transcribed spacer and translation elongation factor 1-a sequences of 60 representative isolates identified nine botryosphaeriaceous species: Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diplodia corticola, D. mutila, D. seriata,Dothiorella iberica, Do. sarmentorum, Lasiodiplodia citricola, L. theobromae, and Neofusicoccum parvum. Pathogenicity tests confirmed that all nine species cause canker and dieback of grapevines. However, this is the first report of L. citricola as causal agent of wood cankers and dieback of grapevine. To date, including L. citricola, there are 25 botryosphaeriaceous species associated with V. vinifera worldwide, of which 12 have been reported for grapevines in Italy

First Report of Stem Wilt and Root Rot of Schlumbergera truncata Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Opuntiarum in Southern Italy

Schlumbergera truncata (Haw.) Moran, belonging to the Cactaceae, is a very common ornamental cactus in southern Italy. In November 2011, sudden stem wilt and root rot was observed in about 45% of vegetatively propagated plants cultivated as potted ornamental plants in a commercial greenhouse in Cerignola (Foggia Province, Apulia, Italy). The roots and collars of the plants showed brown rot. Yellow sunken lesions that were similar to cortical cankers were detected at basal level of the stem. Ten plants with these symptoms were analyzed by fungal isolation techniques. Small (0.5 cm) tissue portions from root, collar, and basal stem were plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) after disinfection with 75% ethanol for 1 to 2 min, 0.2% NaOCl for 1 to 2 min, and a wash with sterile distilled water. A fungal isolate that was morphologically similar to Fusarium sp. was isolated from 85% of these tissue samples. It had nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of ribosomal DNA (GenBank Accession No. KC196121) 100% identical to those of the comparable sequences of Fusarium oxysporum (HQ651161). The nucleotide sequences of its translation elongation factor 1-α (EF-1α) gene (KC196120) showed 100% identity to sequences of F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum (DQ837689, AF246881) retrieved from GenBank. Pathogenicity tests were performed at 22 ± 3°C on 18 45-day-old plants of S. truncate by adding of a 5-ml aliquot of conidial suspension adjusted to 5 × 106 conidia/ml to soil of each plant. Six non-inoculated plants were used for a control treatment and sprayed with 5 ml of sterilized water. Plants were maintained in greenhouse at 22 ± 3°C. After 10 days, nine of the inoculated plants showed wilting, and after 45 days, all of them were dead, with root and collar rot and lesions on the basal stem. Control plants were symptomless. Koch's postulates were fulfilled as the pathogen was reisolated from all of the symptomatic tissues and identified as Fusarium sp. On the basis of 3-septate macroconidia (mean 31.75 × 3.21 μm; range, 26 to 35 μm long, 3.0 to 4.2 μm wide), aseptate microconidia, single chlamydospores, and monophialide conidiophores on carnation leaf agar, and molecular analyses, the fungus was identified as F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum (Speg) (1,2,3). In Italy, F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum was reported as basal stem rot of Echinocactus grusoni (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of stem wilt and root rot of S. truncata caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. opuntiarum in Italy

Study and definition of the syndromes of the esca complex of grapevine in Capitanata (Southern Italy)

oral presentatio