Agrochemical characterisation of "alperujo", a solid by-product of the two-phase centrifugation method for olive oil extraction

Introduction of the two-phase centrifugation system for olive oil extraction during the early nineties in Spain has led to the generation of approximately four million tons per year of a solid olive-mill by-product called "alperujo" (AL). Agrochemical characterisation showed that AL has a high moisture content, slightly acidic pH values and a very high content of organic matter, mainly composed by lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose. It also has a considerable proportion of fats, proteins, water-soluble carbohydrates and a small but active fraction of hydrosoluble phenolic substances. Amongst plant nutrients, AL is rich in potassium, less so in (mainly organic) nitrogen and poor in phosphorus and micronutrients. Some of those properties are not compatible with agricultural requirements, for which reason composting may be considered a suitable alternative for its disposal. AL needs to be characterised before composting, and so an attempt was made to correlate the easily determined ash content with other parameters; the regression models thus obtained are discussed.

Geographical partitioning of goat diversity in Europe and the Middle East

Thirty microsatellite markers were analysed in 1426 goats from 45 traditional or rare breeds in 15 European and Middle Eastern countries. In all populations inbreeding was indicated by heterozygosity deficiency (mean FIS = 0.10). Genetic differentiation between breeds was moderate with a mean FST value of 0.07, but for most (c. 71%) northern and central European breeds, individuals could be assigned to their breeds with a success rate of more than 80%. Bayesian-based clustering analysis of allele frequencies and multivariate analysis revealed at least four discrete clusters: eastern Mediterranean (Middle East), central Mediterranean, western Mediterranean and central/northern Europe. About 41% of the genetic variability among the breeds could be explained by their geographical origin. A decrease in genetic diversity from the south-east to the north-west was accompanied by an increase in the level of differentiation at the breed level. These observations support the hypothesis that domestic livestock migrated from the Middle East towards western and northern Europe and indicate that breed formation was more systematic in north-central Europe than in the Middle East. We propose that breed differentiation and molecular diversity are independent criteria for conservation.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 951-1041

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica, Apenidiella antarctica from permafrost, Cladosporium fildesense from an unidentified marine sponge. Argentina, Geastrum wrightii on humus in mixed forest. Australia, Golovinomyces glandulariae on Glandularia aristigera, Neoanungitea eucalyptorum on leaves of Eucalyptus grandis, Teratosphaeria corymbiicola on leaves of Corymbia ficifolia, Xylaria eucalypti on leaves of Eucalyptus radiata. Brazil, Bovista psammophila on soil, Fusarium awaxy on rotten stalks of Zea mays, Geastrum lanuginosum on leaf litter covered soil, Hermetothecium mikaniae-micranthae (incl. Hermetothecium gen. nov.) on Mikania micrantha, Penicillium reconvexovelosoi in soil, Stagonosporopsis vannaccii from pod of Glycine max. British Virgin Isles, Lactifluus guanensis on soil. Canada, Sorocybe oblongispora on resin of Picea rubens. Chile, Colletotrichum roseum on leaves of Lapageria rosea. China, Setophoma caverna from carbonatite in Karst cave. Colombia, Lareunionomyces eucalypticola on leaves of Eucalyptus grandis. Costa Rica, Psathyrella pivae on wood. Cyprus, Clavulina iris on calcareous substrate. France, Chromosera ambigua and Clavulina iris var. occidentalis on soil. French West Indies, Helminthosphaeria hispidissima on dead wood. Guatemala, Talaromyces guatemalensis in soil. Malaysia, Neotracylla pini (incl. Tracyllales ord. nov. and Neotracylla gen. nov.) and Vermiculariopsiella pini on needles of Pinus tecunumanii. New Zealand, Neoconiothyrium viticola on stems of Vitis vinifera, Parafenestella pittospori on Pittosporum tenuifolium, Pilidium novae-zelandiae on Phoenix sp. Pakistan, Russula quercus-floribundae on forest floor. Portugal, Trichoderma aestuarinum from saline water. Russia, Pluteus liliputianus on fallen branch of deciduous tree, Pluteus spurius on decaying deciduous wood or soil. South Africa, Alloconiothyrium encephalarti, Phyllosticta encephalarticola and Neothyrostroma encephalarti (incl. Neothyrostroma gen. nov.) on leaves of Encephalartos sp., Chalara eucalypticola on leaf spots of Eucalyptus grandis × urophylla, Clypeosphaeria oleae on leaves of Olea capensis, Cylindrocladiella postalofficium on leaf litter of Sideroxylon inerme, Cylindromonium eugeniicola (incl. Cylindromonium gen. nov.) on leaf litter of Eugenia capensis, Cyphellophora goniomatis on leaves of Gonioma kamassi, Nothodactylaria nephrolepidis (incl. Nothodactylaria gen. nov. and Nothodactylariaceae fam. nov.) on leaves of Nephrolepis exaltata, Falcocladium eucalypti and Gyrothrix eucalypti on leaves of Eucalyptus sp., Gyrothrix oleae on leaves of Olea capensis subsp. macrocarpa, Harzia metrosideri on leaf litter of Metrosideros sp., Hippopotamyces phragmitis (incl. Hippopotamyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Phragmites australis, Lectera philenopterae on Philenoptera violacea, Leptosillia mayteni on leaves of Maytenus heterophylla, Lithohypha aloicola and Neoplatysporoides aloes on leaves of Aloe sp., Millesimomyces rhoicissi (incl. Millesimomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Rhoicissus digitata, Neodevriesia strelitziicola on leaf litter of Strelitzia nicolai, Neokirramyces syzygii (incl. Neokirramyces gen. nov.) on leaf spots of Syzygium sp., Nothoramichloridium perseae (incl. Nothoramichloridium gen. nov. and Anungitiomycetaceae fam. nov.) on leaves of Persea americana, Paramycosphaerella watsoniae on leaf spots of Watsonia sp., Penicillium cuddlyae from dog food, Podocarpomyces knysnanus (incl. Podocarpomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Podocarpus falcatus, Pseudocercospora heteropyxidicola on leaf spots of Heteropyxis natalensis, Pseudopenidiella podocarpi, Scolecobasidium podocarpi and Ceramothyrium podocarpicola on leaves of Podocarpus latifolius, Scolecobasidium blechni on leaves of Blechnum capense, Stomiopeltis syzygii on leaves of Syzygium chordatum, Strelitziomyces knysnanus (incl. Strelitziomyces gen. nov.) on leaves of Strelitzia alba, Talaromyces clemensii from rotting wood in goldmine, Verrucocladosporium visseri on Carpobrotus edulis. Spain, Boletopsis mediterraneensis on soil, Calycina cortegadensisi on a living twig of Castanea sativa, Emmonsiellopsis tuberculata in fluvial sediments, Mollisia cortegadensis on dead attached twig of Quercus robur, Psathyrella ovispora on soil, Pseudobeltrania lauri on leaf litter of Laurus azorica, Terfezia dunensis in soil, Tuber lucentum in soil, Venturia submersa on submerged plant debris. Thailand, Cordyceps jakajanicola on cicada nymph, Cordyceps kuiburiensis on spider, Distoseptispora caricis on leaves of Carex sp., Ophiocordyceps khonkaenensis on cicada nymph. USA, Cytosporella juncicola and Davidiellomyces juncicola on culms of Juncus effusus, Monochaetia massachusettsianum from air sample, Neohelicomyces melaleucae and Periconia neobrittanica on leaves of Melaleuca styphelioides × lanceolata, Pseudocamarosporium eucalypti on leaves of Eucalyptus sp., Pseudogymnoascus lindneri from sediment in a mine, Pseudogymnoascus turneri from sediment in a railroad tunnel, Pulchroboletus sclerotiorum on soil, Zygosporium pseudomasonii on leaf of Serenoa repens. Vietnam, Boletus candidissimus and Veloporphyrellus vulpinus on soil. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes.

Occurrence of sublethal injury after pulsed electric fields depending on the micro-organism, the treatment medium ph and the intensity of the treatment investigated

AIMS

The objective was to investigate the occurrence of sublethal injury after pulsed electric field (PEF) depending on the treatment time, the electric field strength and the pH of the treatment media in two Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis ssp. niger, Listeria monocytogenes) and six Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella serotype Senftenberg 775W, Salmonella serotype Typhimurium, Yersinia enterocolitica) bacterial strains.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A characteristic behaviour was observed for the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria studied. Whereas Gram-positive bacteria showed a higher PEF resistance at pH 7.0, the Gram-negative were more resistant at pH 4.0. In these conditions, in which bacteria showed their maximum resistance, a large proportion of sublethally injured cells were detected. In most cases, the longer the treatment time and the higher the electric field applied, the greater the proportion of sublethally injured cells that were detected. No sublethal injury was detected when Gram-positive bacteria were treated at pH 4.0 and Gram-negative at pH 7.0.

CONCLUSIONS

Sublethal injury was detected after PEF so, bacterial inactivation by PEF is not an 'all or nothing' event.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This work could be useful for improving food preservation by PEF.

In vitro inhibition of the replication of haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) and African swine fever virus (ASFV) by extracts from marine microalgae

We have screened for in vitro inhibition of viral replication with extracts from the following marine microalgae: Porphyridium cruentum, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Tetraselmis suecica, Chlorella autotrophica, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Dunaliella bardawil, Isochrysis galbana, Isochrysis galbana var Tiso, Ellipsoidon sp. and Tetraselmis tetrathele. We have used as viral models two enveloped viruses of significant economic importance, the viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) of salmonid fish and the African swine fever virus (ASFV). The aqueous extracts from P. cruentum, C. autotrophica and Ellipsoidon sp., produced a significant inhibition of the in vitro replication of both viruses in a dose-dependent manner. That this inhibition could be due to sulfated polysaccharides was suggested because the same pattern of viral inhibition was obtained by using exocellular extracts from microalgae enriched in these compounds and/or dextran sulfate of high molecular weight. However, the inhibition of viral replication did not correlate with the percentage of sulfatation of the exocellular polysaccharides. Extracts from marine microalgae may have prophylactic utility against fish and mammalian viral diseases.

Pulsed electric fields cause bacterial envelopes permeabilization depending on the treatment intensity, the treatment medium pH and the microorganism investigated

The relationship between membrane permeabilization and loss of viability by pulsed electric fields (PEF) depending on the treatment intensity and the treatment media pH in two gram-positive (Lactobacillus plantarum, Listeria monocytogenes) and two gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Salmonella senftenberg 775W) bacterial species has been investigated. Loss of membrane integrity was measured as increased uptake of the fluorescent dye propidium iodide (PI). Non-permanent/reversible permeabilization was detected when cells stained with PI during PEF resulted in higher fluorescence than that measured in cells stained after PEF. Whereas loss of viability of the two gram-negative bacteria was correlated with the sum of non-permanent and permanent membrane permeabilization when treated at pH 7.0, in the case of the two gram-positives, loss of viability was correlated with a permanent loss of membrane integrity. At pH 7.0, the four bacteria exhibited reversible permeabilization. However, whereas the gram-positives capable of reversing permeabilization survived, the gram-negative cells died, despite their capacity to reverse permeabilization immediately after PEF. Thus, resealing is not necessarily related to the survival of PEF-treated cells. In contrast, when cells were PEF-treated at pH 4.0 a more complicated picture emerged. Whereas loss of viability was correlated with a permanent loss of membrane integrity in L. monocytogenes cells, in L. plantarum the degree of permeabilization was higher, and in the gram-negative strains, much lower than the percentage of inactivated cells. These results support the view that membrane permeabilization is involved in the mechanism of bacterial inactivation by PEF, but the nature of membrane damage and its relationship with cell death depends on the bacterial species and the treatment medium pH.

Paternal age and assisted reproductive outcomes in ICSI donor oocytes: is there an effect of older fathers?

STUDY QUESTION

Does paternal age affect semen quality and reproductive outcomes in oocyte donor cycles with ICSI?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Paternal age is associated with a decrease in sperm quality, however it does not affect either pregnancy or live birth rates in reproductive treatments when the oocytes come from donors <36 years old and ICSI is used.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

The weight of evidence suggest that paternal age is associated with decreasing sperm quality, but uncertainty remains as to whether reproductive outcomes are affected. Although developed to treat severe sperm factor infertility, ICSI is gaining popularity and is often used even in the presence of mild male factor infertility.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

A retrospective cohort study spanning the period between February 2007 and June 2010. A total of 4887 oocyte donation cycles were included.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Fertilization was carried out by ICSI in all cycles included, and the semen sample used was from the male partner in all cases. The association of male age with semen parameters (volume, concentration, percentage of motile spermatozoa) was analyzed by multiple analysis of covariance. The association of male age with reproductive outcomes (biochemical pregnancy, miscarriage, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rate) was modeled by logistic regression, where the following covariates were introduced: donor age, recipient age, semen state (fresh versus frozen) and number of transferred embryos (3 and 2 versus 1).

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

We identified a significant relationship between paternal age and all sperm parameters analyzed: for every 5 years of age, sperm volume decreases by 0.22 ml (P < 0.001), concentration increases by 3.1 million sperm/ml (P = 0.003) and percentage motile spermatozoa decreases by 1.2% (P < 0.001). No differences were found in reproductive outcomes (biochemical pregnancy, miscarriage, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy and live birth) among different male age groups.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The use of donor oocytes, while extremely useful in highlighting the role of male age in reproductive outcomes, limits the generalization of our results to a population of young women with older male partners. No data were available on perinatal and obstetrical outcomes of these pregnancies. Most (75%) cycles used frozen/thawed sperm samples which might have introduced a bias owing to loss of viability after thawing. ICSI was performed in all cycles to control for fertilization method; this technique could mask the natural fertilization rate of poorer sperm samples. Furthermore, we did not use stringent ICSI indications; and our data are therefore not generalizable to cases where only severe male factor is considered. However, male patients were of different racial background, thus allowing generalizing our results to a wider patient base.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Our study suggests that paternal age does not affect reproductive outcomes when the oocyte donor is <36 years of age, indicating that ICSI and oocyte quality can jointly overcome the lower reproductive potential of older semen.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This study was supported in part by Fundació Privada EUGIN. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Pulsed electric fields cause sublethal injury in Escherichia coli

AIMS

The objective was to investigate the occurrence of sublethal injury in Escherichia coli by pulsed electric fields (PEF) at different pH values.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The occurrence of sublethal injury in PEF-treated E. coli cells depended on the pH of the treatment medium. Whereas a slight sublethal injury was detected at pH 7, 99.95% of survivors were injured when cells were treated at pH 4 for 400 micros at 19 kV. The PEF-injured cells were progressively inactivated by a subsequent holding at pH 4.

CONCLUSIONS

PEF cause sublethal injury in E. coli. The measurement of sublethal injury using a selective medium plating technique allowed prediction of the number of cells that would be inactivated by subsequent storage in acidic conditions.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This work could be useful for improving food preservation by PEF technology and contributes to the knowledge of the mechanism of microbial inactivation by PEF.

Mangifera indicaL. extract (Vimang) and mangiferin modulate mouse humoral immune responses

The present study investigated the effects of orally administered Vimang (an aqueous extract of Mangifera indica) and mangiferin (the major polyphenol present in Vimang) on mouse antibody responses induced by inoculation with spores of microsporidian parasites. Inoculation induced specific antibody production with an exponential timecourse, peaking after about one month. Vimang significantly inhibited this antibody production from about three weeks post-inoculation, and most markedly by four weeks post-inoculation; by contrast, mangiferin had no significant effect. Determination of Ig isotypes showed that the IgM to IgG switch began about four weeks post-inoculation, with IgG2a predominating. Vimang significantly inhibited IgG production, but had no effect on IgM. Mangiferin did no affect either IgM or IgG2a, but significantly enhanced production of IgG1 and IgG2b. Neither Vimang nor mangiferin enhanced specific antibody secretion by splenic plasma cells from mice inoculated with microsporidian spores, whether administered in vivo before serum extraction or in vitro to the culture medium. Inoculation with spores induced splenomegaly, which was significantly reduced by Vimang and significantly enhanced by mangiferin. These results suggest that components of Mangifera indica extracts may be of potential value for modulating the humoral response in different immunopathological disorders.

Modulation of rat macrophage function by the Mangifera indica L. extracts Vimang and mangiferin

Vimang is an aqueous extract of Mangiferia indica L., traditionally used in Cuba as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Vimang and of mangiferin (a C-glucosylxanthone present in the extract) on rat macrophage functions including phagocytic activity and the respiratory burst. Both Vimang and mangiferin showed inhibitory effects on macrophage activity: (a) intraperitoneal doses of only 50-250 mg/kg markedly reduced the number of macrophages in peritoneal exudate following intraperitoneal injection of thioglycollate 5 days previously (though there was no significant effect on the proportion of macrophages in the peritoneal-exudate cell population); (b) in vitro concentrations of 0.1-100 microg/ml reduced the phagocytosis of yeasts cells by resident peritoneal and thioglycollate-elicited macrophages; (c) in vitro concentrations of 1-50 microg/ml reduced nitric oxide (NO) production by thioglycollate-elicited macrophages stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and IFNgamma; and (d) in vitro concentrations of 1-50 microg/ml reduced the extracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by resident and thioglycollate-elicited macrophages stimulated in vitro with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). These results suggest that components of Vimang, including the polyphenol mangiferin, have depressor effects on the phagocytic and ROS production activities of rat macrophages and, thus, that they may be of value in the treatment of diseases of immunopathological origin characterized by the hyperactivation of phagocytic cells such as certain autoimmune disorders.

Development of a nasal vaccine for chronic hepatitis B infection that uses the ability of hepatitis B core antigen to stimulate a strong Th1 response against hepatitis B surface antigen

There are estimated to be 350 million chronic carriers of hepatitis B infection worldwide. Patients with chronic hepatitis B are at risk of liver cirrhosis with associated mortality because of hepatocellular carcinoma and other complications. An important goal, therefore, is the development of an effective therapeutic vaccine against chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV). A major barrier to the development of such a vaccine is the impaired immune response to HBV antigens observed in the T cells of affected patients. One strategy to overcome these barriers is to activate mucosal T cells through the use of nasal vaccination because this may overcome the systemic immune downregulation that results from HBV infection. In addition, it may be beneficial to present additional HBV epitopes beyond those contained in the traditional hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) vaccine, for example, by using the hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg). This is advantageous because HBcAg has a unique ability to act as a potent Th1 adjuvant to HbsAg, while also serving as an immunogenic target. In this study we describe the effect of coadministration of HBsAg and HBcAg as part of a strategy to develop a more potent and effective HBV therapeutic vaccine.

Anthelminthic and antiallergic activities of Mangifera indica L. stem bark components Vimang and mangiferin

This study investigated the antiallergic and anthelmintic properties of Vimang (an aqueous extract of Mangifera indica family stem bark) and mangiferin (the major polyphenol present in Vimang) administered orally to mice experimentally infected with the nematode, Trichinella spiralis. Treatment with Vimang or mangiferin (500 or 50 mg per kg body weight per day, respectively) throughout the parasite life cycle led to a significant decline in the number of parasite larvae encysted in the musculature; however, neither treatment was effective against adults in the gut. Treatment with Vimang or mangiferin likewise led to a significant decline in serum levels of specific anti-Trichinella IgE, throughout the parasite life cycle. Finally, oral treatment of rats with Vimang or mangiferin, daily for 50 days, inhibited mast cell degranulation as evaluated by the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test (sensitization with infected mouse serum with a high IgE titre, then stimulation with the cytosolic fraction of T. spiralis muscle larvae). Since IgE plays a key role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases, these results suggest that Vimang and mangiferin may be useful in the treatment of diseases of this type.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate versus ganirelix in oocyte donation: a randomized controlled trial

STUDY QUESTION

Is oral medroxiprogesterone acetate (MPA) non-inferior compared to ganirelix with respect to the number of mature oocytes (MII) retrieved at ovum pick-up (OPU) in oocyte donation cycles?

SUMMARY ANSWER

MPA is comparable to ganirelix in terms of number of MII retrieved at OPU in oocyte donation cycles.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Oral treatment with MPA inhibits the pituitary LH surge during ovarian stimulation in infertile patients. Because of its negative effect on the endometrium, MPA suppression is combined with freeze-all. Published reports indicate that both the number of MII retrieved and pregnancy rates from these oocytes are comparable to short protocol of GnRH agonists during IVF cycles with freeze-all. MPA might allow for more comfortable and cost-effective ovarian stimulation.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Randomized clinical trial, open-label, single center, to assess the non-inferiority of MPA (10 mg/day) versus ganirelix (0.25 mg/day) from Day 7, in ovarian stimulation cycles triggered with triptoreline acetate. Trigger criterion was ≥3 follicles of diameter >18 mm.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Overall, 252 oocyte donors were selected (eligible), 216 were randomized and 173 reached OPU: 86 under MPA and 87 under ganirelix. The main outcome was the number of MII retrieved at OPU. Secondary outcomes were embryological laboratory outcomes and reproductive outcomes in recipients. The study was powered to test that the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval of the difference in retrieved MII between groups will be above the non-inferiority limit of -3. Differences were tested using a two-sided Student's t-test or a Pearson's Chi2 test, as appropriate.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

All participants were in their first cycle of oocyte donation. On average, donors were 24 (SD 4.5) years old and with a BMI of 23 (SD 2.9) kg/m2. Duration of stimulation was similar in both groups (11.2 days), as well as the total gonadotropin dose up to trigger (2162 IU in MPA and 2163 IU in ganirelix). The number of MII retrieved was no different: 15.1 (SD 8.3) with MPA and 14.6 (SD 7.0), 95% CI of the difference -2.78, -1.83 excluding the pre-defined non-inferiority limit (-3). Recipients and embryo transfer (ET) characteristics were also similar between groups. The average age of recipients was 42 (SD 4.8) years and the BMI was 24 (SD 4.4) kg/m2. The mean number of MII assigned to each recipients was 6.7 (SD 1.2) in MPA and 6.6 (SD 1.2) in ganirelix (P = 0.58). MII were fertilized with partner sperm in 84% cycles overall and fertilization rate was 76% in MPA versus 74% in ganirelix (P = 0.34). Overall, there was 54% of double ET and 46% of single ET, with 40% of ETs were performed in D5. In spite of similar recipients and cycle characteristics, reproductive outcomes were unexpectedly lower with MPA. Biochemical pregnancy rate was 44 versus 57% (P = 0.023); clinical pregnancy rate 31 versus 46% (P = 0.006); ongoing pregnancy rate 27 versus 40%, (P = 0.015) and live birth rate 22 versus 31%, (P = 0.10).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Although oocyte recipient and ET characteristics are similar among groups, this RCT has been designed under a hypothesis of non-inferiority in the number of MII obtained and recipients were not randomized; therefore, the reproductive outcomes in recipients should be evaluated with extreme caution.

WIDER IMPLICATION OF THE FINDINGS

Ovarian stimulation using MPA for prevention of LH surge yields comparable number of MII oocytes compared to ganirelix in oocyte donation cycles. The unexpected finding in reproductive outcomes should be further investigated.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

None to report.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

EudraCT number: 2015-004328-73; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02796105.

TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE

29 September 2015 (EudraCT); 9 June 2016 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

DATE OF FIRST PATIENT’S ENROLLMENT

The date of enrollment of the first participant was 07 July 2016, and the last participant last visit in the study was on 10 July 2017.

Decomposition and dipteran succession in pig carrion in central Argentina: ecological aspects and their importance in forensic science

Data on the insect species associated with corpse decomposition are particularly important for estimation of the post-mortem interval (PMI) in forensic science because the PMI is based on the lifecycle and behaviour of necrophagous insects, among other measures. To determine the dipteran succession on pig carrion, four experiments, one in each season, were carried out during 2004 in a rural area of Córdoba, central Argentina. Two pigs (Sus scrofa L.) were used in each of the four experiments. At each time-point one pig was placed in the shade and the other under direct sunlight. Insects were collected daily during the first 4 weeks and thereafter every 2 or 3 days. Five stages of decomposition were observed and a total of 24 710 adult specimens were collected, belonging to the following eight families of Diptera: Calliphoridae; Muscidae; Sarcophagidae; Phoridae; Piophilidae; Fanniidae; Sphaeroceridae, and Anthomyiidae. All Calliphoridae collected in this study were considered to be of potential forensic importance because of their necrophagous behaviour and because their immature stages use carrion as a food source. Other species, such as Musca domestica L. and Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann), were also considered to represent potential forensic indicators.

Widespread atypical cutaneous Leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (L.) Chagasi in Nicaragua

Leishmania chagasi, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Americas, has recently been associated with atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in Central America; however, little comprehensive information about this disease is available. Clinical, epidemiologic, and parasitologic characteristics of 252 ACL cases and 44 VL cases in Nicaragua were analyzed. Visceral leishmaniasis is primarily associated with malnourished children less than five years of age, whereas ACL is found predominantly in children greater than five years of age and young adults. Genetically similar parasites are associated with both disease manifestations. The sand fly Lutzomyia evansi, in addition to Lu. longipalpis, may be involved in transmission of L. chagasi to humans. Our results indicate that ACL is more prevalent than previously thought, affecting up to 10% of a local population. The fact that the same parasite appears to cause both ACL and the potentially fatal visceral disease suggests that the host immune response is critical in determining the outcome of L. chagasi infection. The public health implications of the wide-spread presence of L. chagasi are discussed.

Mycobacterium canariasense sp. nov

A novel rapidly growing, non-pigmented mycobacterium was isolated from blood samples obtained from 17 patients with febrile syndrome. Bacterial growth occurred at 30 and 37 °C on Löwenstein–Jensen medium and also on MacConkey agar without crystal violet. Strains contained α- and α′-mycolates in their cell wall. Sequence analysis of the hsp65 and 16S rRNA genes identified the isolates as rapidly growing mycobacteria. Sequences of both genes were unique within the mycobacteria. DNA–DNA hybridization showed that the isolates had less than 15 % reassociation with 13 other recognized rapidly growing mycobacteria. The name Mycobacterium canariasense sp. nov. is proposed for this novel opportunistic pathogen, which is most closely related to Mycobacterium diernhoferi. The type strain is 502329T (=CIP 107998T=CCUG 47953T).

Biosynthetic requirements for the repair of sublethal membrane damage in Escherichia coli cells after pulsed electric fields

AIMS

The aim was to evaluate the biosynthetic requirements for the repair of sublethal membrane damages in Escherichia coli cells after exposure to pulsed electric fields (PEF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The partial loss of the barrier and homeostatic functions of the cytoplasmic membrane was examined by adding sodium chloride to the recovery media. More than 4 log10 cycles of survivors were sublethally injured after PEF. Repair of such sublethal membrane damages occurred when survivors to PEF were incubated in peptone water for 2 h. Two different types of sublethally injured cells were detected. Whereas a small proportion (<5%) repaired after PEF in less than 2 min, the repair of the remaining 95% injured cells lasted 2 h and was dependent on biosynthetic requirements. The addition of inhibitors such as chloramphenicol, cerulenin, penicillin G, rifampicin and sodium azide to the liquid repair medium showed that the repair required energy and lipid synthesis, and was not dependent on protein, peptidoglican or RNA synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Cell survival after PEF is dependent on the repair of the cytoplasmic membrane. Requirement of lipid synthesis for the repair of sublethally injured cells confirms that the cytoplasmic membrane is a target directly involved in the mechanism of inactivation by PEF.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Knowledge about the damages inflicted by PEF might help in the design of more efficient treatments.

Relationship between sublethal injury and inactivation of yeast cells by the combination of sorbic acid and pulsed electric fields

The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of sublethal injury after the pulsed-electric-field (PEF) treatment of two yeasts, Dekkera bruxellensis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as well as the relation of sublethal injury to the inactivating effect of the combination of PEF and sorbic acid. PEF caused sublethal injury in both yeasts: more than 90% of surviving D. bruxellensis cells and 99% of surviving S. cerevisiae cells were sublethally injured after 50 pulses at 12 kV/cm in buffer at pHs of both 7.0 and 4.0. The proportion of sublethally injured cells reached a maximum after 50 pulses at 12.0 kV/cm (S. cerevisiae) or 16.5 kV/cm (D. bruxellensis), and it kept constant or progressively decreased at greater electric field strengths and with longer PEF treatments. Sublethally PEF-injured cells showed sensitivity to the presence of sorbic acid at a concentration of 2,000 ppm. A synergistic inactivating effect of the combination of PEF and sorbic acid was observed. Survivors of the PEF treatment were progressively inactivated in the presence of 2,000 ppm of sorbic acid at pH 3.8, with the combined treatments achieving more than log10 5 cycles of dead cells under the conditions investigated. This study has demonstrated the occurrence of sublethal injury after exposure to PEF, so yeast inactivation by PEF is not an all-or-nothing event. The combination of PEF and sorbic acid has proven to be an effective method to achieve a higher level of yeast inactivation. This work contributes to the knowledge of the mechanism of microbial inactivation by PEF, and it may be useful for improving food preservation by PEF technology.

Clinical and microbiological findings in prosthetic joint replacement due to aseptic loosening

OBJECTIVES

A role for microorganisms in aseptic prosthetic loosening (AL) is postulated. We analyse the microbiological and clinical findings of patients with suspected AL, and compare them with patients with chronic prosthetic joint infection (PJI).

METHODS

Prospective study (2011-2012) of patients with presumed AL. Evaluation of tissue samples (≥5; TS) at the time of surgery and sonication fluid (SF) of prosthesis.

RESULTS

According to positive culture in TS/SF, 89 patients were divided into: Group1: (≥2 positive-TS; n = 12); Group2: single positive-TS and concordant SF (n = 10); Group3: one positive or non-concordant TS or SF (n = 38); and Group4: cultures negative (n = 29). Positive-SF was always concordant with TS in Group 1 (75%); it was positive in 74% in Group 3. Median months (prosthesis-age: implantation to revision arthroplasty) for PJI and Group 1-4 was 21, 46, 65, 63 and 81, respectively (P < 0.001); they also had a different dynamic trend in prosthesis failure (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Several patients with suspected AL are misdiagnosed PJI. Results from SF correlated well with TS in Group 1, led us to consider single positive-TS as significant (Group 2) and to suggest that microorganisms were on the prosthesis (Group 3). We observed a correlation between microbiology and prosthesis-age, which supports that early loosening is more often caused by hidden PJI than late loosening.

Studies with neuronal cells: From basic studies of mechanisms of neurotoxicity to the prediction of chemical toxicity

Neurotoxicology considers that chemicals perturb neurological functions by interfering with the structure or function of neural pathways, circuits and systems. Using in vitro methods for neurotoxicity studies should include evaluation of specific targets for the functionalism of the nervous system and general cellular targets. In this review we present the neuronal characteristics of primary cultures of cortical neurons and of cerebellar granule cells and their use in neurotoxicity studies. Primary cultures of cortical neurons are constituted by around 40% of GABAergic neurons, whereas primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells are mainly constituted by glutamatergic neurons. Both cultures express functional GABAA and ionotropic glutamate receptors. We present neurotoxicity studies performed in these cell cultures, where specific neural targets related to GABA and glutamate neurotransmission are evaluated. The effects of convulsant polychlorocycloalkane pesticides on the GABAA, glycine and NMDA receptors points to the GABAA receptor as the neural target that accounts for their in vivo acute toxicity, whereas NMDA disturbance might be relevant for long-term toxicity. Several compounds from a list of reference compounds, whose severe human poisoning result in convulsions, inhibited the GABAA receptor. We also present cell proteomic studies showing that the neurotoxic contaminant methylmercury affect mitochondrial proteins. We conclude that the in vitro assays that have been developed can be useful for their inclusion in an in vitro test battery to predict human toxicity.

Resveratrol modulates rat macrophage functions

This study investigated the effects of trans-resveratrol (trans-3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene, RESV), a natural polyphenol from grapes with known antioxidant activity, on the respiratory-burst responses and phagocytic activity of rat macrophages. RESV at concentrations of 1-10 microM significantly and dose-dependently inhibited (a) the extracellular production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROls) by resident peritoneal macrophages stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) (a potent activator of protein kinase C, PKC) and (b) intracellular production of ROIs after opsonin-independent phagocytosis of Kluyveromyces lactis cells. Over the 10-100 microM concentration ranges, RESV likewise inhibited the production of reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNIs) by macrophages stimulated with thioglycollate. RESV concentrations above 10 microM also dose-dependently inhibited the phagocytosis of K. lactis cells. The results obtained demonstrate that RESV is a potent inhibitor of the antipathogen responses of rat macrophages and, thus, suggest that this agent may have applications in the treatment of diseases involving macrophage hyperresponsiveness.

Effectiveness and feasibility of long-lasting insecticide-treated curtains and water container covers for dengue vector control in Colombia: a cluster randomised trial

Background

Long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN) window and door curtains alone or in combination with LLIN water container covers were analysed regarding effectiveness in reducing dengue vector density, and feasibility of the intervention.

Methods

A cluster randomised trial was conducted in an urban area of Colombia comparing 10 randomly selected control and 10 intervention clusters. In control clusters, routine vector control activities were performed. The intervention delivered first, LLIN curtains (from July to August 2013) and secondly, water container covers (from October to March 2014). Cross-sectional entomological surveys were carried out at baseline (February 2013 to June 2013), 9 weeks after the first intervention (August to October 2013), and 4–6 weeks after the second intervention (March to April 2014).

Results

Curtains were installed in 922 households and water container covers in 303 households. The Breteau index (BI) fell from 14 to 6 in the intervention group and from 8 to 5 in the control group. The additional intervention with LLIN covers for water containers showed a significant reduction in pupae per person index (PPI) (p=0.01). In the intervention group, the PPI index showed a clear decline of 71% compared with 25% in the control group. Costs were high but options for cost savings were identified.

Conclusions

Short term impact evaluation indicates that the intervention package can reduce dengue vector density but sustained effect will depend on multiple factors.

Analysis of genetic diversity and the determination of relationships among western Mediterranean horse breeds using microsatellite markers

The distribution of genetic diversity and the genetic relationships among western Mediterranean horse breeds were investigated using microsatellite markers. The examined sample included seven Spanish and three Italian local horse breeds and populations, plus a Spanish Thoroughbred outgroup. The total number of animals examined was 682 (on average 62 animals per breed; range 20-122). The microsatellite marker set analysed provided 128 alleles (10.7 alleles per locus). Within-breed genetic diversity was always high (>0.70), with breeds contributing about 8% of the total genetic variability. The mean molecular coancestry of the entire population examined was 0.205, Losino being the breed that contributed most. In addition to Nei's standard and Reynolds' genetic distances, pair-wise kinship distance and molecular coancestry were estimated. Remarkably similar breed rankings were obtained with all methods. Clustering analysis provided an accurate representation of the current genetic relationships among the breeds. Determining coancestry is useful for analysing genetic diversity distribution between and within breeds and provides a good framework for jointly analysing molecular markers and pedigree information. An integrated analysis was undertaken to obtain information on the population dynamics in western Mediterranean native horse populations, and to better determine conservation priorities.

Composting of a solid olive-mill by-product ("alperujo") and the potential of the resulting compost for cultivating pepper under commercial conditions

A pollutant solid material called "alperujo" (AL), which is the main by-product from the Spanish olive oil industry, was composted with a cotton waste as bulking agent, and the compost obtained (ALC) was compared with a cattle manure (CM) and a sewage sludge compost (SSC) for use as organic amendment on a calcareous soil. The experiment was conducted with a commercial pepper crop in a greenhouse using fertigation. Composting AL involved a relatively low level of organic matter biodegradation, an increase in pH and clear decreases in the C/N and the fat, water-soluble organic carbon and phenol contents. The resulting compost, which was rich in organic matter and free of phytotoxicity, had a high potassium and organic nitrogen content but was low in phosphorus and micronutrients. The marketable yields of pepper obtained with all three organic amendments were similar, thus confirming the composting performance of the raw AL. When CM and SSC were used for soil amendment, the soil organic matter content was significantly reduced after cultivation, while it remained almost unchanged in the ALC-amended plots.

An Anacardiaceae preparation reduces the expression of inflammation-related genes in murine macrophages

This study investigated the effects of an aqueous extract of the stem bark of Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae; Vimang), which contains a defined mixture of components including polyphenols (principally mangiferin, MA), triterpenes, phytosteroids, fatty acids and microelements, on expression of inflammation mediators in inflammatory murine macrophages after stimulation in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In vitro treatment with Vimang at 4 microg/ml reduced levels of NOS-2 mRNA and NOS-2, while treatment at 40 microg/ml also reduced levels of COX-2 mRNA, COX-2, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Results suggested that MA is involved in these effects. In vitro treatment with Vimang at 40 microg/ml also inhibited mRNA levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), but did not affect mRNA levels of IL-6 or tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Extracellular release of TNF-alpha by inflammatory macrophages was inhibited by in vitro treatment with Vimang at the same concentrations that showed inhibition of TNF-alpha mRNA levels. The inhibition of TNF-alpha production appears to be at least partially attributable to MA. Vimang at 4 microg/ml decreased mRNA levels of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) but did not affect expression of the NF-kappaB inhibitor (IkappaB). These data indicate that the potent anti-inflammatory effects of Vimang are due to selective modulation of the expression of inflammation-related genes, leading to attenuation of macrophage activation.