Primjena novih metoda kontrole patogenih oblika bakterije Escherichia coli

Among foodborne pathogens, diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli is of major concern because of its commensal status, abundance in the natural environment, and ability to acquire virulence determinants by horizontal gene transfer from other microbes. From enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) strains to the more virulent enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), the mechanisms of pathogenicity within this species are intriguing. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics are providing novel tools for improved rapid detection and quantification of this and other pathogenic bacteria from clinical, food, and environmental specimens. These include simple and inexpensive colorimetric and immunological methods to more elaborate nucleic acid-based assays that combine extreme specificity to unparalleled sensitivity and high sample throughput. This review summarizes the current state of E. coli pathogenesis with emphasis on the need for incorporating detection and surveillance tools as part of pre- and post-harvest food safety ideals.Patogena bakterija Escherichia coli, koja uzrokuje dijareju, najopasniji je patogeni mikroorganizam u hrani zbog svoje rasprostranjenosti u prirodnom okolišu i sposobnosti prisvajanja virulentnosti horizontalnim transferom gena iz drugih mikroba. Mehanizmi njezine patogenosti su intrigantni, počevši od enterotoksigenog soja E. coli (ETEC) pa sve do virulentnijeg eneterohemoragijskog soja (EHES). Napredak u molekularnoj dijagnostici doveo je do razvoja novih metoda brzog određivanja prisutnosti i broja te bakterije i sličnih patogenih bakterija u kliničkim uzorcima, hrani i okolišu. U tu svrhu mogu se primijeniti jednostavne i jeftine kolorimetrijske i imunološke metode ili kompliciranije metode dokazivanja nukleinskih kiselina koje su vrlo specifične i osjetljive pa se pomoću njih može analizirati veliki broj uzoraka. Ovaj revijalni prikaz donosi pregled patogeneze E. coli, a ističe nužnost određivanja njezine prisutnosti te nadzor prije i nakon žetve radi procjene zdravstvene ispravnosti hrane

Primjena novih metoda kontrole patogenih oblika bakterije Escherichia coli

Among foodborne pathogens, diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli is of major concern because of its commensal status, abundance in the natural environment, and ability to acquire virulence determinants by horizontal gene transfer from other microbes. From enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) strains to the more virulent enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), the mechanisms of pathogenicity within this species are intriguing. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics are providing novel tools for improved rapid detection and quantification of this and other pathogenic bacteria from clinical, food, and environmental specimens. These include simple and inexpensive colorimetric and immunological methods to more elaborate nucleic acid-based assays that combine extreme specificity to unparalleled sensitivity and high sample throughput. This review summarizes the current state of E. coli pathogenesis with emphasis on the need for incorporating detection and surveillance tools as part of pre- and post-harvest food safety ideals.Patogena bakterija Escherichia coli, koja uzrokuje dijareju, najopasniji je patogeni mikroorganizam u hrani zbog svoje rasprostranjenosti u prirodnom okolišu i sposobnosti prisvajanja virulentnosti horizontalnim transferom gena iz drugih mikroba. Mehanizmi njezine patogenosti su intrigantni, počevši od enterotoksigenog soja E. coli (ETEC) pa sve do virulentnijeg eneterohemoragijskog soja (EHES). Napredak u molekularnoj dijagnostici doveo je do razvoja novih metoda brzog određivanja prisutnosti i broja te bakterije i sličnih patogenih bakterija u kliničkim uzorcima, hrani i okolišu. U tu svrhu mogu se primijeniti jednostavne i jeftine kolorimetrijske i imunološke metode ili kompliciranije metode dokazivanja nukleinskih kiselina koje su vrlo specifične i osjetljive pa se pomoću njih može analizirati veliki broj uzoraka. Ovaj revijalni prikaz donosi pregled patogeneze E. coli, a ističe nužnost određivanja njezine prisutnosti te nadzor prije i nakon žetve radi procjene zdravstvene ispravnosti hrane

Method to increase the toughness of aluminum-lithium alloys at cryogenic temperatures

A method to increase the toughness of the aluminum-lithium alloy C458 and similar alloys at cryogenic temperatures above their room temperature toughness is provided. Increasing the cryogenic toughness of the aluminum-lithium alloy C458 allows the use of alloy C458 for cryogenic tanks, for example for launch vehicles in the aerospace industry. A two-step aging treatment for alloy C458 is provided. A specific set of times and temperatures to age the aluminum-lithium alloy C458 to T8 temper is disclosed that results in a higher toughness at cryogenic temperatures compared to room temperature. The disclosed two-step aging treatment for alloy 458 can be easily practiced in the manufacturing process, does not involve impractical heating rates or durations, and does not degrade other material properties

Shigella apyrase – a novel variant of bacterial acid phosphatases?

AbstractA virulence-associated ATP diphosphohydrolase activity in the periplasm of Shigella, identified as apyrase, was found to be markedly similar to bacterial non-specific acid phosphatases in primary structure. When the Shigella apyrase sequence was threaded in to the recently published 3D structure of the highly similar (73%) Escherichia blattae acid phosphatase it was found to have a highly overlapping 3D structure. Our analysis, which included assays for phosphatase, haloperoxidase and catalase activities, led us to hypothesize that Shigella apyrase might belong to a new class of pyrophosphatase originating as one more variant in the family of bacterial non-specific acid phosphatases. It revealed interesting structure–function relationships and probable roles relevant to pathogenesis

Dry-forest tree species with large seeds and low stem specific density show greater survival under drought

Tree establishment in tropical dry forests is constrained by drought-related seedling mortality during early stages of recruitment. Predicted increases in the duration of growing-season droughts in the future pose a significant threat to these ecosystems that could significantly alter their vegetation structure and composition. Here, we examined drought tolerance in seedlings of seven common dry-forest tree species from the Indian subcontinent. We conducted a dry-down experiment on 3-wk-old seedlings, and asked whether the key plant functional traits, specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), seed size and stem specific density (SSD) were good predictors of seedling growth under well-watered conditions, and survival during drought. Seedlings displayed substantial drought tolerance with most seedlings surviving for more than 2 wk under protracted drought. Seed size in combination with SLA predicted seedling growth under well-watered conditions and seed size predicted survival under drought. In contrast to our expectations, seedlings with lower SSD survived for longer without water. Our results suggest that dry-forest species will be differentially affected by the predicted increases in the duration of growing-season droughts, and detrimental effects will be more severe for species with smaller seeds

An exploratory case study on employee health and wellbeing: Indian railways case study

In this paper, we are presenting initial case study results of employee health & wellbeing baseline measurement of Southern Railways. 122 employees from management cadre voluntarily participated in the study. The data collection involved three specific stages of health & wellbeing validation, based on lipid profiles, three month blood sugar level, kidney function, blood pressure, heart rate, self reported eating habit, self reported exercise routine and a bio-impedance measurement. The participants were given with a survey instrument to fill-in their daily intake of food pattern and this information was entered into a software application to compute nutritional levels. This was the first level of validation. The second level of validation was collecting blood samples and analysing the samples for various parameters such as lipids and sugar levels pathologically. The third level of validation included people categorised as non-diabetic tested for body composition of fat masses using a bio-impedance monitor. The analyses of data using these three combinations of data clearly indicated that majority of the participants are either suffering with excess fat masses or over the normal acceptable BMI levels for Indian population. Further, the data clearly indicated that the intake of calories is way above than what has been expended through physical activities. Over half the participants exhibited either symptoms of diabetes or hypertension or both. We present these results in this paper, and highlight a preliminary intervention program that has been instituted to these participants. We are also highlighting some of the adverse influences that can present to the organisation as a result of the health & wellbeing issues observed

Site-specific seeding using multi-sensor and data fusion techniques : a review

Site-specific seeding (SSS) is a precision agricultural (PA) practice aiming at optimizing seeding rate and depth, depending on the within field variability in soil fertility and yield potential. Unlike other site-specific applications, SSS was not adopted sufficiently by farmers due to some technological and practical challenges that need to be overcome. Success of site-specific application strongly depends on the accuracy of measurement of key parameters in the system, modeling and delineation of management zone maps, accurate recommendations and finally the right choice of variable rate (VR) technologies and their integrations. The current study reviews available principles and technologies for both map-based and senor-based SSS. It covers the background of crop and soil quality indicators (SQI), various soil and crop sensor technologies and recommendation approaches of map-based and sensor-based SSS applications. It also discusses the potential of socio-economic benefits of SSS against uniform seeding. The current review proposes prospective future technology synthesis for implementation of SSS in practice. A multi-sensor data fusion system, integrating proper sensor combinations, is suggested as an essential approach for putting SSS into practice