The 795CT polymorphism in osteopontin gene is not associated with multiple sclerosis in a Spanish population

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system. The dysregulation of the cytokine network is an important component of its pathogenesis. One of the cytokines produced by activated T-cells is osteopontin (OPN). OPN enhances the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-12 and interferon-gamma, while reducing interleukin-10 levels. Therefore, OPN is considered a pro-inflammatory cytokine, and could play a key role in MS pathogenesis. The OPN gene contains several common polymorphisms, distributed in two main haplotypes, which may modulate its production or activity. A total of 326 MS patients and 484 healthy controls were typed for 795CT OPN polymorphism. In order to perform a familial study, 51 progenitor pairs were also included. No difference was found in the case-control or family study. This negative finding is inconsistent with a previous haplotype study in an Italian population, where the haplotype associated carried the low-frequency allele in position 795. In a Japanese population, a similar study yielded no association with this polymorphism. In conclusion, our data suggest that the 795 polymorphism does not play an etiological role per se and the haplotype structure may differ from one population to another. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 250–252. http://msj.sagepub.com

Genetic diversity and patterns of population structure in Creole goats from the Americas

Biodiversity studies are more efficient when large numbers of breeds belonging to several countries are involved, as they allow for an in-depth analysis of the within- and between-breed components of genetic diversity. A set of 21 microsatellites was used to investigate the genetic composition of 24 Creole goat breeds (910 animals) from 10 countries to estimate levels of genetic variability, infer population structure and understand genetic relationships among populations across the American continent. Three commercial transboundary breeds were included in the analyses to investigate admixture with Creole goats. Overall, the genetic diversity of Creole populations (mean number of alleles = 5.82 ± 1.14, observed heterozygosity = 0.585 ± 0.074) was moderate and slightly lower than what was detected in other studies with breeds from other regions. The Bayesian clustering analysis without prior information on source populations identified 22 breed clusters. Three groups comprised more than one population, namely from Brazil (Azul and Graúna; Moxotó and Repartida) and Argentina (Long and shorthair Chilluda, Pampeana Colorada and Angora-type goat). Substructure was found in Criolla Paraguaya. When prior information on sample origin was considered, 92% of the individuals were assigned to the source population (threshold q ≥ 0.700). Creole breeds are well-differentiated entities (mean coefficient of genetic differentiation = 0.111 ± 0.048, with the exception of isolated island populations). Dilution from admixture with commercial transboundary breeds appears to be negligible. Significant levels of inbreeding were detected (inbreeding coefficient > 0 in most Creole goat populations, P < 0.05). Our results provide a broad perspective on the extant genetic diversity of Creole goats, however further studies are needed to understand whether the observed geographical patterns of population structure may reflect the mode of goat colonization in the Americas.

Forage intake, digestibility and performance of cattle, horses, sheep and goats grazing together on an improved heathland

A mixed herd of five cows, five mares, 32 ewes and 32 goats was managed with their offspring during two consecutive years in a paddock (22.3 ha) with 76% of heathlands and 24% of improved pasture area, with the aim of studying their differences in ingestive behaviour and performance. Diet composition, dry matter intake (DMI) and digestibility (DMD) were estimated on three occasions using the alkane technique, and all animals were periodically weighed to calculate bodyweight (BW) changes per livestock unit (LU). Goats selected higher proportions of shrubs than the other herbivore species (P < 0.001). Overall, daily DMI was higher (P < 0.001) in equines (218 g/kg BW0.75) than in ruminants (174, 121 and 80 g/kg BW0.75 for cattle, goats and sheep, respectively), whereas DMD was lower (P < 0.001) in equines (569 g/kg DM) compared with ruminants (733–791 g/kg DM). During the first half of the grazing season (from late April to mid-July), dams’ BW changes per LU did not differ between species. However, during late summer–autumn lower (P < 0.001) BW losses per LU were observed in sheep and goats (–89 g/day) than in cattle (–534 g/day), being intermediate in horses (–254 g/day). For the overall grazing season, ewes and goats showed greater (P = 0.056) BW gains per LU (338 g/day) than cows and mares (178 g/day). Regarding the offspring, BW gains per LU were greater (P < 0.001) in lambs (3612 g/day) than in other species. Calves presented greater gains than kids (2647 vs 1909 g/day.LU), whereas foals showed intermediate gains (2385 g/day.LU). Therefore, under these conditions of partially improved heathlands, sheep was the most productive species. However, looking at the diet selection and digestibility, goats could complement sheep or cattle herds by achieving a more efficient utilisation of heathland vegetation, and increasing overall productivity per hectare. By contrast, horses, having high levels of grass intake, compete with cattle and sheep for pasture utilisation.

Detecting the existence of gene flow between Spanish and North African goats through a coalescent approach

Human-driven migrations are one of the main processes shaping the genetic diversity and population structure of domestic species. However, their magnitude and direction have been rarely analysed in a statistical framework. We aimed to estimate the impact of migration on the population structure of Spanish and African goats. To achieve this goal, we analysed a dataset of 1,472 individuals typed with 23 microsatellites. Population structure of African and Spanish goats was moderate (mean FST = 0.07), with the exception of the Canarian and South African breeds that displayed a significant differentiation when compared to goats from North Africa and Nigeria. Measurement of gene flow with Migrate-n and IMa coalescent genealogy samplers supported the existence of a bidirectional gene flow between African and Spanish goats. Moreover, IMa estimates of the effective number of migrants were remarkably lower than those calculated with Migrate-n and classical approaches. Such discrepancies suggest that recent divergence, rather than extensive gene flow, is the main cause of the weak population structure observed in caprine breeds.

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium report, data summary of 50 countries for 2010-2015: Device-associated module

BACKGROUND

We report the results of International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from January 2010-December 2015 in 703 intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific.

METHODS

During the 6-year study period, using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC-NHSN) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infection (DA-HAI), we collected prospective data from 861,284 patients hospitalized in INICC hospital ICUs for an aggregate of 3,506,562 days.

RESULTS

Although device use in INICC ICUs was similar to that reported from CDC-NHSN ICUs, DA-HAI rates were higher in the INICC ICUs: in the INICC medical-surgical ICUs, the pooled rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection, 4.1 per 1,000 central line-days, was nearly 5-fold higher than the 0.8 per 1,000 central line-days reported from comparable US ICUs, the overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was also higher, 13.1 versus 0.9 per 1,000 ventilator-days, as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, 5.07 versus 1.7 per 1,000 catheter-days. From blood cultures samples, frequencies of resistance of Pseudomonas isolates to amikacin (29.87% vs 10%) and to imipenem (44.3% vs 26.1%), and of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to ceftazidime (73.2% vs 28.8%) and to imipenem (43.27% vs 12.8%) were also higher in the INICC ICUs compared with CDC-NHSN ICUs.

CONCLUSIONS

Although DA-HAIs in INICC ICU patients continue to be higher than the rates reported in CDC-NSHN ICUs representing the developed world, we have observed a significant trend toward the reduction of DA-HAI rates in INICC ICUs as shown in each international report. It is INICC's main goal to continue facilitating education, training, and basic and cost-effective tools and resources, such as standardized forms and an online platform, to tackle this problem effectively and systematically.

Molecular Study of the Amazonian Macabea Cattle History

Macabea cattle are the only Bos taurus breed that have adapted to the wet tropical conditions of the Amazon. This breed has integrated into the culture of the indigenous Shuar-Asuar nations probably since its origins, being one of the few European zoogenetic resources assimilated by the deep-jungle Amazon communities. Despite its potential for local endogenous sustainable development, this breed is currently endangered. The present study used molecular genetics tools to investigate the within- and between-breeds diversity, in order to characterize the breed population, define its associations with other breeds, and infer its origin and evolution. The within-breed genetic diversity showed high values, as indicated by all genetic parameters, such as the mean number of alleles (MNA = 7.25±2.03), the observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.72±0.02) and the expected heterozygosity (He = 0.72±0.02). The between-breeds diversity analysis, which included factorial correspondence analysis, Reynolds genetic distance, neighbor-joining analysis, and genetic structure analysis, showed that the Macabea breed belongs to the group of the American Creoles, with a Southern-Spain origin. Our outcomes demonstrated that the Macabea breed has a high level of purity and null influences of exotic cosmopolitan breeds with European or Asiatic origin. This breed is an important zoogenetic resource of Ecuador, with relevant and unique attributes; therefore, there is an urgent need to develop conservation strategies for the Macabea breed.

Direct conversion of methane to aromatics in a catalytic co-ionic membrane reactor

Nonoxidative methane dehydroaromatization (MDA: 6CH4 ↔ C6H6 + 9H2) using shape-selective Mo/zeolite catalysts is a key technology for exploitation of stranded natural gas reserves by direct conversion into transportable liquids. However, this reaction faces two major issues: The one-pass conversion is limited by thermodynamics, and the catalyst deactivates quickly through kinetically favored formation of coke. We show that integration of an electrochemical BaZrO3-based membrane exhibiting both proton and oxide ion conductivity into an MDA reactor gives rise to high aromatic yields and improved catalyst stability. These effects originate from the simultaneous extraction of hydrogen and distributed injection of oxide ions along the reactor length. Further, we demonstrate that the electrochemical co-ionic membrane reactor enables high carbon efficiencies (up to 80%) that improve the technoeconomic process viability.

Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of fruits and vegetables evaluated by the Ames test and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay / Mutagenicidad y citotoxicidad de frutas y vegetales evaluadas por el test de Ames y el ensayo del bromuro de 3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-il)-2,5-difeniltetrazolio (MTT)

The mutagenic and cytotoxic activity of the aqueous (H2O) and ethanolic (EtOH) extracts of fruits and vegetables were studied by the Ames test and the MTT assay. A significant mutagenic activity was found for three H2O extracts of broccoli ( Brassica oleracea), carrot ( Dacus carota) and licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra) and for one EtOH extract of kiwi ( Ananas sativus ) of the nine species analyzed. The frameshift tester strain TA98 was reverted by broccoli (2.4, 4.8 and 9.6 mg/mL; p < 0.01) and carrot (9.6 mg/mL; p < 0.001) aqueous extracts and by kiwi (9.6 mg/mL; p < 0.0001) EtOH extract, whereas strain TA100 was only sensitive to the mutagens of licorice H,O extract, within the nine fruits and vegetables tested. The mutagenic response of the extracts was not altered by the presence of S9 mix. Cytotoxicity was only found for three of the nine species tested. Percentage cytotoxic ac tivities at 4.8 mg/mL in pineapple ( Actinidin diasinensis) and garlic ( Allium sativum) H,O extracts were 77 and 91 %, respectively. Licorice EtOH extract was the only one that showed a cytotoxic activity at all of the concentrations used. The percentage of cytotoxic activity of licorice extract was 63% at 0.24 mg/mL and increased with increasing concentration of licorice up to 4.8 mg/mL. Thus, licorice (EtOH) extract was the most cytotoxic of the species tested.

Note. Kinetic parameters of Bacillus stearothermophilus spores under isothermal and non-isothermal heating conditions Nota. Parámetros cinéticos del tratamiento isotérmico y no isotérmico de esporas de Bacillus stearothermophilus

Thermobacteriological studies using Bacillus stearotherrnophilus spores were carried out by heating the spores under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions followed by an isothermal period. Ex perimental data obtained after isothermal heating were analyzed using a two-step linear regression procedure and a one-step nonlinear regression method. Results obtained using both analytical tech niques were close, but the 90% interval of confidence for predictions was lower when the one-step nonlinear regression was used. These results indicated the convenience of using the one-step nonlin ear regression method to obtain thermal kinetic parameters for bacterial spores. Also, the parameters obtained by a non-isothermal program followed by an isothermal heating period were similar to those obtained after isothermal heating. Nevertheless, the joint confidence regions at 90% did not overlap, indicating that there are significant differences. The z values obtained under isothermal (7.0 °C) and non-isothermal (8.5 °C) conditions are close and characteristic for this microorganisms.

Note: Use of a Distribution of Frequencies Model to Interpret the Tailed Heat Inactivation Curves of Prions

Inactivation of prions responsible of bovine spongiform encephalytis (BSE) by heat is a major concern for the canned food industry in Europe. Experimental data of heat inactivation of prions obtained from the scientific literature have been modelled. Two models were applied to analyse the inactivation curves, the Weibull distribution model and a two-parameter empirical model. Statistical analysis of available data indicated that the Weibull frequency distribution provided the best description of non-linear survival curves. The effect of the temperature on Weibull model parameters ( a and b) was also studied. The shape parameter, b, indicates deviations from linearity in the inactivation curves, and the scale parameter, a, can be considered as a kinetic constant rate for the inactivation. The values of the b parameter were on the order of 0.15-0.2 which meant that these curves had a strong upper concavity. The a values obtained ranged from 1.8 × 10−3 to 2.3 × 10−6 for temperatures between 100 and 160°C. These results indicate that temperature has a relevant effect on the inactivation of prions, although it remains a considerable fraction of prions with infective capacity. The Weibull frequency distribution model appears as a useful and convenient model because the a parameter could allow a quantitative comparison of the inactivation of prions at different temperatures or under different conditions.

Review: Application of Pulsed Electric Fields in Egg and Egg Derivatives

This work overviews works published on the application of pulsed electric fields (PEF) in egg and egg derivatives, grouped by subject, and arranged chronologically in terms of the factor studied (microorganisms, quality aspects, shelf life and structural changes in gel formation properties). The inactivation of microorganisms by PEF in egg is very considerable, 3.5 decimal reductions in egg white were achieved by PEF in Salmonella enteritidis, 5.5 log reductions of Listeria innocua by means of a synergistic effect of PEF and nisin in liquid whole egg, and 5.6 log reductions of Escherichia coli in beaten fresh liquid egg by PEF treatment applied continuously or discontinuously in five steps. The shelf life of PEF-treated fresh liquid egg was extended to 4 weeks in refrigeration, and quality (colour, viscosity and sensory attributes) was not affected by PEF treatment. PEF treatment did not cause notable changes in proteins in a solution of ovalbumin and dialysed fresh egg white. However, some structural changes and functional modifications were observed in fresh egg white as a result of PEF treatment. The texture and microstructure of gels were affected by the application of PEF, and therefore PEF treatment conditions in egg white must be optimised to minimise possible modifications.

A genome-wide perspective about the diversity and demographic history of seven Spanish goat breeds

Background

The main goal of the current work was to infer the demographic history of seven Spanish goat breeds (Malagueña, Murciano-Granadina, Florida, Palmera, Mallorquina, Bermeya and Blanca de Rasquera) based on genome-wide diversity data generated with the Illumina Goat SNP50 BeadChip (population size, N = 176). Five additional populations from Europe (Saanen and Carpathian) and Africa (Tunisian, Djallonké and Sahel) were also included in this analysis (N = 80) for comparative purposes.

Results

Our results show that the genetic background of Spanish goats traces back mainly to European breeds although signs of North African admixture were detected in two Andalusian breeds (Malagueña and Murciano-Granadina). In general, observed and expected heterozygosities were quite similar across the seven Spanish goat breeds under analysis irrespective of their population size and conservation status. For the Mallorquina and Blanca de Rasquera breeds, which have suffered strong population declines during the past decades, we observed increased frequencies of large-sized (ROH), a finding that is consistent with recent inbreeding. In contrast, a substantial part of the genome of the Palmera goat breed comprised short ROH, which suggests a strong and ancient founder effect.

Conclusions

Admixture with African goats, genetic drift and inbreeding have had different effects across the seven Spanish goat breeds analysed in the current work. This has generated distinct patterns of genome-wide diversity that provide new clues about the demographic history of these populations.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12711-016-0229-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.