Genetic Characterization of Listeria from Food of Non-Animal Origin Products and from Producing and Processing Companies in Bavaria, Germany

Reported cases of listeriosis from food of non-animal origin (FNAO) are increasing. In order to assess the risk of exposure to Listeria monocytogenes from FNAO, the genetic characterization of the pathogen in FNAO products and in primary production and processing plants needs to be investigated. For this, 123 samples of fresh and frozen soft fruit and 407 samples of 39 plants in Bavaria, Germany that produce and process FNAO were investigated for Listeria contamination. As a result, 64 Listeria spp. isolates were detected using ISO 11290-1:2017. Environmental swabs and water and food samples were investigated. L. seeligeri (36/64, 56.25%) was the most frequently identified species, followed by L. monocytogenes (8/64, 12.50%), L. innocua (8/64, 12.50%), L. ivanovii (6/64, 9.38%), L. newyorkensis (5/64, 7.81%), and L. grayi (1/64, 1.56%). Those isolates were subsequently sequenced by whole-genome sequencing and subjected to pangenome analysis to retrieve data on the genotype, serotype, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and virulence markers. Eight out of sixty-four Listeria spp. isolates were identified as L. monocytogenes. The serogroup analysis detected that 62.5% of the L. monocytogenes isolates belonged to serogroup IIa (1/2a and 3a) and 37.5% to serogroup IVb (4b, 4d, and 4e). Furthermore, the MLST (multilocus sequence typing) analysis of the eight detected L. monocytogenes isolates identified seven different sequence types (STs) and clonal complexes (CCs), i.e., ST1/CC1, ST2/CC2, ST6/CC6, ST7/CC7, ST21/CC21, ST504/CC475, and ST1413/CC739. The core genome MLST analysis also showed high allelic differences and suggests plant-specific isolates. Regarding the AMR, we detected phenotypic resistance against benzylpenicillin, fosfomycin, and moxifloxacin in all eight L. monocytogenes isolates. Moreover, virulence factors, such as prfA, hly, plcA, plcB, hpt, actA, inlA, inlB, and mpl, were identified in pathogenic and nonpathogenic Listeria species. The significance of L. monocytogenes in FNAO is growing and should receive increasing levels of attention

Molecular mechanisms of cell death: recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death 2018.

Over the past decade, the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death (NCCD) has formulated guidelines for the definition and interpretation of cell death from morphological, biochemical, and functional perspectives. Since the field continues to expand and novel mechanisms that orchestrate multiple cell death pathways are unveiled, we propose an updated classification of cell death subroutines focusing on mechanistic and essential (as opposed to correlative and dispensable) aspects of the process. As we provide molecularly oriented definitions of terms including intrinsic apoptosis, extrinsic apoptosis, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)-driven necrosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, parthanatos, entotic cell death, NETotic cell death, lysosome-dependent cell death, autophagy-dependent cell death, immunogenic cell death, cellular senescence, and mitotic catastrophe, we discuss the utility of neologisms that refer to highly specialized instances of these processes. The mission of the NCCD is to provide a widely accepted nomenclature on cell death in support of the continued development of the field

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

Background Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5–19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI 2 SD above the median). Findings From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/images/research_banner_face_lab_290.jpgunderweight or thinness. Interpretation The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesity

Listeria monocytogenes bei Lebensmitteln pflanzlichen Ursprungs

L. monocytogenes is a Gram-positive pathogenic bacterium causing the foodborne disease listeriosis, esp. in vulnerable population groups called YOPIs. Compared to other foodborne pathogenic microorganisms, the fatality rate of 20–30% of severe listeriosis is a serious concern. Listeriosis cases associated with FNAO have been increasing in recent years. In particular, RTE FNAO without any further processing steps like heating is of great concern in this context. This study investigated 39 FNAO primary producers and processing companies that produce and process FNAO products in Bavaria, Germany from July 2020 until June 2021 (Chapter 3). The categories were “producers of soft fruit”, “producers of vegetables” and “producers of RTE raw fruits and vegetables/fresh cut”. The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes in FNAO producing and processing plants. In general, 407 samples from the processing environment (229 samples), the food (59 samples) and irrigation and processing water (119 samples) were taken and investigated using ISO 11290 - 1:2017. Overall, in 12.53% of the samples Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes were detected. L. monocytogenes isolates were identified in the FNAO surrounding, especially drains, and in a sample of processing water. Whereas no food was contaminated with the pathogenic L. monocytogenes. Irrigation and processing water are probable contamination sources of FNAO. Unhygienic circumstances of water pipelines pose a risk of cross-contamination. Furthermore, the detected Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes isolates were sequenced with WGS (Chapter 4). It poses the question about genetic relationship within and between companies. Due to low genetic relationship of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes within and between companies, external introduction and plant-specific Listeria in FNAO facilities were suggested. In particular, incoming raw material is discussed but irrigation and processing water is possibly both an entrance and contamination pathway. Moreover, virulence and AMR genes were detected and phenotypic characterization was performed, additionally. Virulence factors such as prfA, hly, plcA, plcB, hpt, actA, inlA, inlB, and mpl were identified in pathogenic and nonpathogenic Listeria species. Besides, phenotypic resistance was detected against benzylpenicillin, fosfomycin and moxifloxacin in all eight L. monocytogenes isolates. Benzylpenicillin is a therapeutic agent against listeriosis and detected AMR is a cause of concern. L. innocua was the most resistant Listeria spp. next to L. seeligeri and L. newyorkensis in this study. In addition, 123 samples of fresh soft fruit and frozen berries were collected randomly from supermarkets across the south of Bavaria, Germany. Only one L. grayi isolate was detected in frozen blackberries, while all other samples were negative for Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes. In conclusion, Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes were present in FNAO primary production and processing companies in Bavaria, Germany. Environmental, irrigation and processing water samples showed high prevalences of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes. An external introduction by incoming raw material or irrigation and processing water is probable. Furthermore, plant-specific L. monocytogenes isolates in FNAO facilities are discussed. Good hygienic practice is crucial to avoid cross-contamination. The data determined in this study indicate that FNAO primary production and processing plants should be focusing more on L. monocytogenes. Listeria monitoring means continuous sampling of the environment, irrigation/processing water and food, and represents an important mechanism to resolve foodborne outbreaks.Das grampositive pathogene Bakterium L. monocytogenes verursacht eine durch Lebensmittel übertragbare Krankheit namens Listeriose, die vor allem empfindliche Personengruppen wie YOPIs betrifft. Im Vergleich zu anderen lebensmittelassoziierten Mikroorganismen ist vor allem die hohe Sterblichkeit von 20–30% der schweren Listeriose ein Grund zur Besorgnis. Listeriosefälle, die durch L. monocytogenes in Lebensmitteln pflanzlichen Ursprungs verursacht wurden, nahmen in den letzten Jahren zu. Vor allem, verzehrfertige pflanzliche Lebensmittel, die keine weiteren Erhitzungsprozesse durchlaufen, stellen ein Risiko dar. In diesem Zusammenhang wurden im Rahmen dieser Studie 39 Primärproduzenten und weiterverarbeitende Betriebe in Bayern, Deutschland von Juli 2020 bis Juni 2021 kontrolliert, die Lebensmittel pflanzlichen Ursprungs produzieren und weiterverarbeiten (Chapter 3). Die Kategorien waren „Hersteller von Obst“, „Hersteller von Gemüse“ und „Hersteller von Rohkost/Fresh Cut“. Das Ziel der Studie war das Vorkommen von Listeria spp. und L. monocytogenes in FNAO produzierenden Betrieben zu detektieren. Insgesamt wurden 407 Proben gezogen, aufgeteilt auf das Prozessumfeld (229 Proben), Lebensmittel (59 Proben) und Bewässerungs- und Prozesswasser (119 Proben) und nach ISO 11290 - 1:2017 untersucht. 12,53% der untersuchten Proben waren mit Listeria spp. und L. monocytogenes kontaminiert. L. monocytogenes Isolate wurden in der Betriebsumgebung, vor allem in Abflussrinnen und in einer Prozesswasserprobe festgestellt. Die Lebensmittelproben hingegen waren nicht positiv auf die pathogene Spezies L. monocytogenes. Bewässerungs- und Prozesswasser stellen eine mögliche Kontaminationsquelle für Lebensmittel pflanzlichen Ursprungs dar. Unzureichende Hygienemaßnahmen in Wasserleitungen sind ein erhöhtes Risiko für Kreuzkontaminationen. Desweiteren wurden die isolierten Listeria spp. und L. monocytogenes Stämme mittels WGS sequenziert (Chapter 4). Die Fragestellung bezog sich auf genetische Verwandtschaft der Isolate innerhalb eines Betriebes bzw. zwischen den untersuchten Firmen. Aufgrund des geringen festgestellten Verwandtschaftsgrades von Listeria spp. und L. monocytogenes innerhalb und zwischen den Betrieben, wird ein Eintritt von außen und betriebsspezifische Isolate in den lebensmittelproduzierenden und –weiterverarbeitenden Firmen vermutet. Angelieferte Rohware wird als Eintrittsquelle diskutiert, aber Bewässerungs- und Prozesswasser kommen ebenso als mögliche Eintritts- und Kontaminationsquelle in Frage. Zudem wurden die Isolate auf Virulenz- und Antibiotikaresistenzgene untersucht und eine phänotypische Antibiotikaresistenzcharakterisierung durchgeführt. Virulenzgene, wie prfA, hly, plcA, plcB, hpt, actA, inlA, inlB und mpl wurden sowohl in pathogenen als auch in nicht-pathogenen Listeria spp. nachgewiesen. Phänotypische Resistenzen gegen Benzylpenicillin, Fosfomycin und Moxifloxacin wurden bei den acht identifizierten L. monocytogenes Isolaten nachgewiesen. Resistenznachweise von Benzylpenicillin sind Grund zur Sorge, da das Antibiotikum als Therapeutikum bei Listeriose eingesetzt wird. Innerhalb Listeria spp. zeigten in dieser Studie die L. innocua Isolate die meisten Antibiotikaresistenzen im Vergleich zu L. seeligeri und L. newyorkensis auf. Zusätzlich wurden 123 frische Beeren und Tiefkühlbeeren randomisiert aus Supermärkten im südlichen Bayern, Deutschland gesammelt und untersucht. Lediglich ein L. grayi Stamm konnte aus einer Tiefkühlbrombeerenverpackung isoliert werden, alle anderen Proben waren negativ auf Listeria spp. und L. monocytogenes. Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass Listeria spp. und L. monocytogenes in FNAO produzierenden und weiterverarbeitenden Betrieben in Bayern, Deutschland vorhanden sind. Umgebungs-, Bewässerungs- und Prozesswasserproben zeigten ein hohes Vorkommen an Listeria spp. und L. monocytogenes. Ein externer Eintritt durch angelieferte Rohware und Bewässerungs- und Prozesswasser ist möglich. Zudem werden betriebsspezifische L. monocytogenes Isolate in FNAO Betrieben diskutiert. Daher ist gute hygienische Praxis unabdingbar um Kreuzkontaminationen zu vermeiden. Die Daten dieser Studie zeigen, dass FNAO produzierende und weiterverarbeitende Betriebe einen Schwerpunkt auf L. monocytogenes legen sollten. Listeria Monitoring, d.h. kontinuierliches Beproben der Betriebsumgebung, des Bewässerungs- und Prozesswassers und der Lebensmittel selbst stärkt das Bewusstsein und stellt ein wichtiges Instrument zur Ausbruchsaufklärung dar

Presence of Listeria at primary production and processing of food of non-animal origin (FNAO) in Bavaria, Germany

Several foodborne outbreaks associated with food of non-animal origin (FNAO) were reported within the last years. In recent years, Listeria monocytogenes has been associated with such outbreaks. For this reason, different producers of FNAO at the primary production and processing level in Bavaria, Germany, were inspected from July 2020 to June 2021. Environmental and food sampling as well as the sampling of irrigation and processing water was performed to investigate the prevalence of Listeria spp., including L. monocytogenes at facilities that produce ready-to-eat FNAO. Altogether, 39 producers of soft fruit, vegetables, ready-to-eat raw fruits, and vegetables/fresh cut were inspected. In addition to the on-spot inspections, 407 samples were taken in total, among them, 229 were swab samples from food contact material and the environment, 59 food samples (including soft fruit, vegetables and ready-to-eat vegetables), and 119 samples of irrigation and processing water. Samples were analyzed using methods according to ISO 11290-1:2017. Furthermore, the samples of irrigation and processing water were also quantitatively tested for the number of Escherichia coli (ISO 9308-2:2014-06), enterococci (ISO 7899-2:2000-11), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ISO 16266:2008-05). No contamination with E. coli, enterococci, and P. aeruginosa could be detected in most of the samples. Overall, in 12.53% of the samples, Listeria spp. were detected. L. monocytogenes was identified in 1.72% of the environmental and processing water samples, whereas L. monocytogenes was not detected in food samples.In addition to water sources and quality, this study demonstrates that irrigation regime, cultivation, hygienic handling, and maintenance protocols are highly important to reduce the potential contamination of ready-to-eat soft fruits and vegetables with Listeria spp

Emotionen und Leistung im Fach Mathematik : Ziele und erste Befunde aus dem „Projekt zur Analyse der Leistungsentwicklung in Mathematik“ (PALMA)

Deutsche Schülerinnen und Schüler schneiden in internationalen Vergleichsstudien zu mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Leistungen eher mäßig ab. Aufgrund ihrer überwiegend deskriptiven Untersuchungsdesigns aber sind diese Studien (z.B. TIMSS, PISA und IGLU) nur begrenzt in der Lage, die Uraschen von Leistungsunterschieden aufzuklären und Handlungsmöglichkeiten aufzuzeigen. Ziel von PALMA (Projekt zur Analyse der Leistungsentwicklung in Mathematik) ist es deshalb, anhand längsschnittlicher Erweiterungen der OECD-Studien PISA Entwicklung und Bedingungen von Mathematikleistungen in der Sekundarstufe I zu untersuchen. In diesem Beitrag werden Zielsetzungen, theoretische Grundlagen, methodisches Vorgehen und erste Ergebnisse dieses interdisziplinären Projekts dargestellt, das Perspektiven von pädagogischer Psychologie und Mathematikdidaktik integriert. Abschließend wird skizziert, welche Folgerungen sich für die pädagogische Praxis ergeben können