Research Note : Persistent Salmonella problems in slaughterhouses related to clones linked to poultry companies

Salmonellosis remains one of the main foodborne zoonoses in Europe, with poultry products as the main source of human infections. The slaughterhouse has been identified as a potential source for Salmonella contamination of poultry meat. Despite the mandatory programme of the EU, there are companies with persistent Salmonella that are unable to remove the bacteria from their processing environment, compromising the entire production line. In this context, an intensive sampling study was conducted to investigate a slaughterhouse with persistent Salmonella problems, establishing the genetic relationship among Salmonella strains isolated during the slaughter process. A total of 36 broiler flocks were sampled during processing at the slaughterhouse. Salmonella was identified based on ISO 6579-1:2017 (Annex D), serotyped by Kauffman-White-Le-Minor technique, and the genetic relationship was assessed with ERIC-PCR followed by PFGE. The outcomes showed that 69.4% of the batches sampled carried Salmonella upon arrival at the slaughterhouse and that 46.3% of the different samples from carcasses were contaminated with Salmonella. The two serovars isolated at the different steps in the slaughterhouse were Enteritidis (98.2%) and Kentucky (1.8%). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis revealed a low genetic diversity, with all S. Enteritidis isolates showing a nearly identical pulsotype (similarity >85%) and S. Kentucky strains showed the same XbaI PFGE profile (95.0% genetic similarity). The results of this study showed a high genetic relationship among isolates recovered from carcasses and environmental samples in the slaughterhouse from both Salmonella -positive and Salmonella -free flocks. Salmonella strains re-circulated across to poultry flocks and re-entered the slaughterhouse to survive on the processing line. Thus, it is necessary to implement molecular diagnosis methods in time at the field level to determine the Salmonella epidemiology of the flock, to make rapid decisions for the control of Salmonella and prevent entry into the slaughterhouse environment

The new outfit of Neusticemys neuquina: Holw recent findings and techniques helped clarify its phylogenetic affinities

Neusticemys neuquina is one of the two known turtles from the Upper Jurassic of the Vaca Muerta Formation. Since its initial description in 1988 its taxonomic affinities have been unstable because all known specimens are postcranial elements, which seem to lack phylogenetic relevance. Initially referred, putatively, to the genus Eurysternum, it has also been considered a protostegid or a basal cryptodire. Recently, the discovery and descriptions of three skulls (MOZ 064, MACN-PV 105, MHNSR-PV-1195) and their study using computed tomography helped establish it as a member of Thalassochelydia. The new skulls have in common with Thalassochelydia: the articular process of the quadrate posteriorly oriented; the presence of a prominent, ventrally infolding ridge of the posterior surface of the processus articularis of the quadrate; a long interpterygoid contact; the presence of a pterygoid contact with the articular surfaces of the quadrate; an anterolateral recess of the anterior surface of the quadrate lateral to the processus trochlearis oticum; the presence of a fossa on the supraoccipital-opisthotic-exoccipital contact area; the foramina anterius caroticus cerebralis close together but as independent foramina in the basisphenoid; and the presence of a splenial bone in the mandible. Some of the features that distinguish it from other Thalassochelydia are the presence of a depression on the ventral surface of the basisphenoid, a relatively larger foramen nervi trigemini and reduced and steepened triturating surfaces in both the mandible and maxilla. The mandibular morphology resembles that of Dermochelys coriacea rather than that of other thalassochelydians and panchelonioids, which might indicate similarities in the feeding preferences between these species. New research has shown that thalassochelydians might have been better adapted to marine environments than previously thought and Neusticemys neuquina is not the exception.Fil: González Ruiz, Pablo. Universidad Tecnologica Nacional. Facultad Reg.san Rafael. Instituto de Evolucion, Ecologia Historica y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Evolucion, Ecologia Historica y Ambiente.; ArgentinaFil: de la Fuente, Marcelo Saul. Universidad Tecnologica Nacional. Facultad Reg.san Rafael. Instituto de Evolucion, Ecologia Historica y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Evolucion, Ecologia Historica y Ambiente.; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, Marta S.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaTurtle Evolution Symposium 2021TrelewArgentinaMuseo Paleontológico Egidio Ferugli

Celiac disease detection using a transglutaminase electrochemical immunosensor fabricated on nanohybrid screen-printed carbon electrodes

Celiac disease is a gluten-induced autoimmune enteropathy characterized by the presence of tissue tranglutaminase (tTG) autoantibodies. A disposable electrochemical immunosensor (EI) for the detection of IgA and IgG type anti-tTG autoantibodies in real patient’s samples is presented. Screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) nanostructurized with carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles were used as the transducer surface. This transducer exhibits the excellent characteristics of carbon–metal nanoparticle hybrid conjugation and led to the amplification of the immunological interaction. The immunosensing strategy consisted of the immobilization of tTG on the nanostructured electrode surface followed by the electrochemical detection of the autoantibodies present in the samples using an alkaline phosphatase (AP) labelled anti-human IgA or IgG antibody. The analytical signal was based on the anodic redissolution of enzymatically generated silver by cyclic voltammetry. The results obtained were corroborated with a commercial ELISA kit indicating that the electrochemical immunosensor is a trustful analytical screening tool

An electrochemical deamidated gliadin antibody immunosensor for celiac disease clinical diagnosis

The first electrochemical immunosensor (EI) for the detection of antibodies against deamidated gliadin peptides (DGP) is described here. A disposable nanohybrid screen-printed carbon electrode modified with DGP was employed as the transducer's sensing surface. Real serumsampleswere successfully assayed and the results were corroborated with an ELISA kit. The presented EI is a promising analytical tool for celiac disease diagnosis

The academic learning viewed from the perspective of John Biggs' «3P model»

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar la contrastación de un modelo teórico de aprendizaje en el cual se postula que, de acuerdo con el Modelo 3P (Biggs, 1987a, 1993a), las variables de presagio inciden sobre las de producto, mediadas por las de proceso. El modelo ha sido analizado en base a las respuestas dadas por 561 estudiantes portugueses de Educación Secundaria, a un conjunto de instrumentos de medida (Inventario de Estilos de Pensamiento IEP, Batería de Pruebas de Razonamiento Diferencial BPRD, Cuestionario de Estrategias de Autorregulación del Aprendizaje, cuestiones para evaluar las concepciones de aprendizaje, metas escolares y un problema evaluado a partir de la taxonomía SOLO) y el rendimiento final del curso en diferentes áreas académicas. Los resultados confirman las hipótesis formuladas en el modelo postulado en esta investigación y son discutidas algunas consecuencias para la práctica educativa y para el desarrollo de los alumnos.The academic learning viewed from the perspective of John Biggs’ «3P model». The authors tested a theoretical model in which is postulated that, in accordance with the Pattern 3P (Biggs, 1987a, 1993a) the presage variables, impact on those of product, mediated by those of process. The model was contrasted in a group of 561 portuguese students of Secondary Education, using the following instruments: Inventory of Thinking Styles IEP, Battery of Differential Reasoning Tests BPRD, Questionnaire of Self-regulation learning strategies, questions to evaluate the learning conceptions, school goals and a problem evaluated with the SOLO taxonomy. Academic Achievement was measured by the grades obtained by the students in different areas at the end of academic year. The results confirm the hypotheses formulated in the pattern postulated in this investigation. Consequences for the educational practice and the promoting of students learning are discussed

Paricalcitol reduces peritoneal fibrosis in mice through the activation of regulatory T cells and reduction in IL-17 production

Fibrosis is a significant health problem associated with a chronic inflammatory reaction. The precise mechanisms involved in the fibrotic process are still poorly understood. However, given that inflammation is a major causative factor, immunomodulation is a possible therapeutic approach to reduce fibrosis. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) that is present in all hematopoietic cells has been associated with immunomodulation. We investigated whether the intraperitoneal administration of paricalcitol, a specific activator of the VDR, modulates peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF)-induced peritoneal fibrosis. We characterized the inflammatory process in the peritoneal cavity of mice treated or not treated with paricalcitol and analyzed the ensuing fibrosis. The treatment reduced peritoneal IL-17 levels, which strongly correlated with a significantly lower peritoneal fibrotic response. In vitro studies demonstrate that both CD4+ and CD8+ regulatory T cells appear to impact the regulation of IL-17. Paricalcitol treatment resulted in a significantly increased frequency of CD8+ T cells showing a regulatory phenotype. The frequency of CD4+ Tregs tends to be increased, but it did not achieve statistical significance. However, paricalcitol treatment increased the number of CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells in vivo. In conclusion, the activation of immunological regulatory mechanisms by VDR signaling could prevent or reduce fibrosis, as shown in peritoneal fibrosis induced by PDF exposure in mice.This study was supported by RETICS 06/0016 (VFM, RS) and FIS PI 09/0064 (RS) from the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (Health Research Fund). MLC was funded by SAF 2013-47611-R, SAF 2010-21249, and SAF 2007-61201 from the Ministerio de Economía y competitividad. MRO was supported by RETICS 12/0021,S2012DMD2321 from the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid, PI 11/01854 from Fondo Investigaciones Sanitarias. GTGM was supported by Renal Foundation Íñigo Álvarez de Toledo, FIBHULP, and by Severo Ochoa FoundationPeer Reviewe

Prolonged vs short-term infusion of β-lactam antibiotics for the treatment of febrile neutropenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The optimisation of the use of beta-lactam antibiotics (BLA) via prolonged infusions in life-threatening complications such as febrile neutropenia (FN) is still controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the efficacy of this strategy in onco-haematological patients with FN. Methods: A systematic search was performed of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, EMBASE, World Health Organization, and ClinicalTrials.gov, from database inception until December 2022. The search included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that compared prolonged vs short-term infusions of the same BLA. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were defervescence, requirement of vasoactive drugs, length of hospital stay and adverse events. Pooled risk ratios were calculated using random effects models. Results: Five studies were included, comprising 691 episodes of FN, mainly in haematological patients. Prolonged infusion was not associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality (pRR 0.83; 95% confidence interval 0.47-1.48). Nor differences were found in secondary outcomes. Conclusions: The limited data available did not show significant differences in terms of all-cause mortality or significant secondary outcomes in patients with FN receiving BLA in prolonged vs. short-term infusion. High-quality RCTs are needed to determine whether there are subgroups of FN patients who would benefit from prolonged BLA infusion. (c) 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The British Infection Association. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

A universal model for mobility and migration patterns

Introduced in its contemporary form by George Kingsley Zipf in 1946, but with roots that go back to the work of Gaspard Monge in the 18th century, the gravity law is the prevailing framework to predict population movement, cargo shipping volume, inter-city phone calls, as well as bilateral trade flows between nations. Despite its widespread use, it relies on adjustable parameters that vary from region to region and suffers from known analytic inconsistencies. Here we introduce a stochastic process capturing local mobility decisions that helps us analytically derive commuting and mobility fluxes that require as input only information on the population distribution. The resulting radiation model predicts mobility patterns in good agreement with mobility and transport patterns observed in a wide range of phenomena, from long-term migration patterns to communication volume between different regions. Given its parameter-free nature, the model can be applied in areas where we lack previous mobility measurements, significantly improving the predictive accuracy of most of phenomena affected by mobility and transport processes.Comment: Main text and supplementary informatio