Detection of embryo mortality and hatch using thermal differences among incubated chicken eggs

Accurate diagnosis of both the stage of embryonic mortality and the hatch process in incubated eggs is a fundamental component in troubleshooting and hatchery management. However, traditional methods disturb incubation, destroy egg samples, risk contamination, are time and labour-intensive and require specialist knowledge and training. Therefore, a new method to accurately detect embryonic mortality and hatching time would be of significant interest for the poultry industry if it could be done quickly, cheaply and be fully integrated into the process. In this study we have continuously measured individual eggshell temperatures and the corresponding micro-environmental air temperatures throughout the 21 days of incubation using standard low-cost temperature sensors. Moreover, we have quantified the thermal interaction between eggs and air by calculating thermal profile changes (temperature drop time, drop length and drop magnitude) that allowed us to detect four categories of egg status (infertile/early death, middle death, late death and hatch) during incubation. A decision tree induction classification model accurately (93.3%) predicted the status of 105 sampled eggs in comparison to the classical hatch residue breakout analyses. With this study we have provided a major contribution to the optimisation of incubation processes by introducing an alternative method for the currently practiced hatch residue breakout analyses.status: publishe

MR imaging of clear cell sarcoma (malignant melanoma of the soft parts): A multicenter correlative MRI-pathology study of 21 cases and literature review

Objective. To evaluate MR imaging and pathology findings in order to define the characteristic features of clear cell sarcoma of the soft tissues (malignant melanoma of the soft parts). Design and patients. MR examinations of 21 patients with histologically proven clear cell sarcoma of the musculoskeletal system were retrospectively reviewed and assessed for shape, homogeneity, delineation, signal intensities on T1- and T2-weighted images, contrast enhancement, relationship with adjacent fascia or tendon, secondary bone involvement, and intratumoral necrosis. In 19 cases the pathology findings were available for review and for a comparative MR-pathology study. Results. On T1-weighted images, lesions were isointense (n=3), hypointense (n=7) or slightly hyperintense to muscle (n=11). Immunohistochemical examination was performed in 17 patients. All 17 specimens showed positivity for HMB-45 antibody. In nine of 11 lesions with slightly increased signal intensity on T1-weighted images, a correlative MR imaging-pathology study was possible. All nine were positive to HMB-45 antibody. Conclusions. Clear cell sarcoma of the musculoskeletal system often has a benign-looking appearance on MR images. In up to 52% of patients, this lesion with melanocytic differentiation has slightly increased signal intensity on T1-weighted images compared with muscle. As the presence of this relative higher signal intensity on T1-weighted images is rather specific for tumors displaying melanocytic differentiation, radiologists should familiarize themselves with this rare entity and include it in their differential diagnosis when confronted with a well- defined, homogeneous, strongly enhancing mass with slightly higher signal intensity compared with muscle on native T1-weighted images

Hydrosols of orange blossom <em>(Citrus aurantium</em>), and rose flower (<em>Rosa damascena</em> and <em>Rosa centifolia</em>) support the growth of a heterogeneous spoilage microbiota

International audienceHydrosols are hydrodistillation products of aromatic plants. They contain less than 1 g/L of dispersed essential oils giving organoleptic properties. Hydrosols are subjected to microbial proliferation. Reasons for spoilage have to be found in the nature of substrates supporting growth and ofmicrobiological contaminants. The composition in essential oils and themicrobiota of 22 hydrosol samples of Citrus aurantium L. ssp. amara L. (orange blossom), Rosa damascena Miller (rose D.), and Rosa centifolia L. (rose C.) flowers were analyzed to determine the factors responsible for decay. The median concentrations in essential oils were 677 mg/L for orange blossom hydrosols, 205 mg/L for rose D. hydrosols, and 116 mg/L for rose C. hydrosols. The dry matter content of these hydrosols varied between 4.0 mg/L and 702 mg/L, and the carbohydrate content varied between 0.21 mg/L and 0.38 mg/L. These non-volatile compounds were likely carried over during distillation by a priming and foaming effect, and could be used as nutrients by microorganisms. A microbial proliferation at ambient temperature and also at 5 °C has been observed in all studied hydrosols when stored in a non-sterile container. In contaminated hydrosols,maximal countswere about 7 log10 CFU/mL,while the French pharmacopeia recommends a maximal total bacterial count of 2 log10 CFU/mL. Neither yeast nor mold was detected. The isolated microbial population was composed of environmental Gram-negative bacteria, arranged in four major genera: Pseudomonas sp., Burkholderia cepacia complex, and presumably two new genera belonging to Acetobacteraceae and Rhodospirillaceae. Among those bacteria, Burkholderia vietnamiensis and Novosphingobium capsulatum were able to metabolize volatile compounds, such as geraniol to produce 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one or geranic acid, or phenylethyl acetate to produce 2-phenylethanol. EO concentrations in hydrosols or cold storage are not sufficient to insure microbiological stability. Additional hurdles such as chemical preservatives or aseptic packaging will be necessary to insure microbial stability

Metabolic capacities and toxigenic potential as key drivers of Bacillus cereus ubiquity and adaptation

Bacillus cereus is ubiquitous and commonly found in a wide range of environments,including food. In this study, we analysed 114 foodborne B. cereus strains isolated mainly from starchy and dairy products in order to investigate their phenotypic diversity (API system), antimicrobial resistance and toxigenic profiles (hblA, nheA, hlyII,cereolysin O, cytK2, cytK1 and EM1 genes). All isolates were confirmed as B. cereus using 16S-23S ribosomal DNA intergenic transcribed spacers (ITS) signature. They were shown as Gram-positive, catalase and caseinase positive, haemolytic (97%), and positive for lecithin hydrolysis and motility (97 and 87 %, respectively). PCR detection of the B. cereus specific toxin genes revealed the occurrence rates of 100 % for cereolysin O, 98 % for nheA, 74 % for cytk2, 52 % for hblA, 28 % for hlyII, and the absence of cytK1. Only two strains (1.75%), isolated from intestine of boar and pheasant, carried the emetic toxin genetic determinants (ces). Antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates was tested towards 15 different antimicrobial agents. We detected susceptibility of all strains to most antibiotics, intermediate resistance to clindamycin and resistance to β lactam antibiotics with 83% of the resistant isolates producing β lactamase enzyme. This large phenotypic diversity combined with the toxigenic traits and antibiotic resistance; emphasize the high potential risk of food poisoning of B. cereus isolates. Beside, a clear correlation between the metabolic features and the origin of isolation was shown. Most of starchy isolates were able to hydrolyse starch while dairy strains were not able to produce amylases. Our overall results point out that the metabolic flexibility and toxigenic potential represent the main drivers for B. cereus ubiquity and adaptation in a given ecological nich