The relationship between remotely-sensed spectral heterogeneity and bird diversity is modulated by landscape type

To identify areas of high biodiversity and prioritize conservation efforts, it is crucial to understand the drivers of species richness patterns and their scale dependence. While classified land cover products are commonly used to explain bird species richness, recent studies suggest that unclassified remote-sensed images can provide equally good or better results. In our study, we aimed to investigate whether unclassified multispectral data from Landsat 8 can replace image classification for bird diversity modeling. Moreover, we also tested the Spectral Variability Hypothesis. Using the Atlas of Breeding Birds in the Czech Republic 2014-2017, we modeled species richness at two spatial resolutions of approx. 131 km2 (large squares) and 8 km2 (small squares). As predictors of the richness, we assessed 1) classified land cover data (Corine Land Cover 2018 database), 2) spectral heterogeneity (computed in three ways) and landscape composition derived from unclassified remote-sensed reflectance and vegetation indices. Furthermore, we integrated information about the landscape types (expressed by the most prevalent land cover class) into models based on unclassified remote-sensed data to investigate whether the landscape type plays a role in explaining bird species richness. We found that unclassified remote-sensed data, particularly spectral heterogeneity metrics, were better predictors of bird species richness than classified land cover data. The best results were achieved by models that included interactions between the unclassified data and landscape types, indicating that relationships between bird diversity and spectral heterogeneity vary across landscape types. Our findings demonstrate that spectral heterogeneity derived from unclassified multispectral data is effective for assessing bird diversity across the Czech Republic. When explaining bird species richness, it is important to account for the type of landscape and carefully consider the significance of the chosen spatial scale.

Determination of the Thermomigration Force on Adatoms

Thermal gradients in nanomaterials can cause surface mass transport phenomena. However, the atomic fluxes are challenging to quantify and the underlying atomic mechanisms are complex. Using low energy electron microscopy we have examined in operando, under a thermal gradient of 10^{4}  K/m, the thermomigration of supercooled Si(111)-1×1 advacancy islands. The islands move in the direction of the thermal gradient at 0.26±0.06  nm/s. This reveals that the adatoms move toward the cold region and the effective force exerted on Si adatoms is 1.4±0.4×10^{-8}  eV/nm. We quantify the heat of transport of Si atoms Q^{*}=1.2±0.4  eV and show that it corresponds to the combined effects of adatom creation at step edges and adatom diffusion on atomically flat terraces.

Exploring the emergence of morphological asymmetries around the brain's Sylvian fissure: a longitudinal study of shape variability in preterm infants

Brain folding patterns vary within the human species, but some folding properties are common across individuals, including the Sylvian fissure's inter-hemispheric asymmetry. Contrarily to the other brain folds (sulci), the Sylvian fissure develops through the process of opercularization, with the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes growing over the insular lobe. Its asymmetry may be related to the leftward functional lateralization for language processing, but the time course of these asymmetries' development is still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated refined shape features of the Sylvian fissure and their longitudinal development in 71 infants born extremely preterm (mean gestational age at birth: 26.5 weeks) and imaged once before and once at term-equivalent age (TEA). We additionally assessed asymmetrical sulcal patterns at TEA in the perisylvian and inferior frontal regions, neighbor to the Sylvian fissure. While reproducing renowned strong asymmetries in the Sylvian fissure, we captured an early encoding of its main asymmetrical shape features, and we observed global asymmetrical shape features representative of a more pronounced opercularization in the left hemisphere, contrasting with the previously reported right hemisphere advance in sulcation around birth. This added novel insights about the processes governing early-life brain folding mechanisms, potentially linked to the development of language-related capacities.

Protein quality as a complementary functional unit in life cycle assessment (LCA)

GOAL AND THEORETICAL COMMENTARY

A number of recent life cycle assessment (LCA) studies have concluded that animal-sourced foods should be restricted-or even avoided-within the human diet due to their relatively high environmental impacts (particularly those from ruminants) compared with other protein-rich foods (mainly protein-rich plant foods). From a nutritional point of view, however, issues such as broad nutrient bioavailability, amino acid balances, digestibility and even non-protein nutrient density (e.g., micronutrients) need to be accounted for before making such recommendations to the global population. This is especially important given the contribution of animal sourced foods to nutrient adequacy in the global South and vulnerable populations of high-income countries (e.g., children, women of reproductive age and elderly). Often, however, LCAs simplify this reality by using 'protein' as a functional unit in their models and basing their analyses on generic nutritional requirements. Even if a 'nutritional functional unit' (nFU) is utilised, it is unlikely to consider the complexities of amino acid composition and subsequent protein accretion. The discussion herein focuses on nutritional LCA (nLCA), particularly on the usefulness of nFUs such as 'protein,' and whether protein quality should be considered when adopting the nutrient as an (n)FU. Further, a novel and informative case study is provided to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of protein-quality adjustment.

CASE STUDY METHODS

To complement current discussions, we present an exploratory virtual experiment to determine how Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Scores (DIAAS) might play a role in nLCA development by correcting for amino acid quality and digestibility. DIAAS is a scoring mechanism which considers the limiting indispensable amino acids (IAAs) within an IAA balance of a given food (or meal) and provides a percentage contribution relative to recommended daily intakes for IAA and subsequent protein anabolism; for clarity, we focus only on single food items (4 × animal-based products and 4 × plant-based products) in the current case exemplar. Further, we take beef as a sensitivity analysis example (which we particularly recommend when considering IAA complementarity at the meal-level) to elucidate how various cuts of the same intermediary product could affect the interpretation of nLCA results of the end-product(s).

RECOMMENDATIONS

First, we provide a list of suggestions which are intended to (a) assist with deciding whether protein-quality correction is necessary for a specific research question and (b) acknowledge additional uncertainties by providing mitigating opportunities to avoid misinterpretation (or worse, dis-interpretation) of protein-focused nLCA studies. We conclude that as relevant (primary) data availability from supply chain 'gatekeepers' (e.g., international agri-food distributors and processors) becomes more prevalent, detailed consideration of IAA provision of contrasting protein sources needs to be acknowledged-ideally quantitatively with DIAAS being one example-in nLCA studies utilising protein as a nFU. We also contend that future nLCA studies should discuss the complementarity of amino acid balances at the meal-level, as a minimum, rather than the product level when assessing protein metabolic responses of consumers. Additionally, a broader set of nutrients should ideally be included when evaluating "protein-rich foods" which provide nutrients that extend beyond amino acids, which is of particular importance when exploring dietary-level nLCA.

To culture or not to culture: careful assessment of metabarcoding data is necessary when evaluating the microbiota of a modified-atmosphere-packaged vegetarian meat alternative throughout its shelf-life period

Background

As the increased consumption of ready-to-eat meat alternatives is a fairly recent trend, little is known about the composition and dynamics of the microbiota present on such products. Such information is nonetheless valuable in view of spoilage and food safety prevention. Even though refrigeration and modified-atmosphere-packaging (MAP) can extend the shelf-life period, microbial spoilage can still occur in these products. In the present study, the microbiota of a vegetarian alternative to poultry-based charcuterie was investigated during storage, contrasting the use of a culture-dependent method to a culture-independent metagenetic method.

Results

The former revealed that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were the most abundant microbial group, specifically at the end of the shelf-life period, whereby Latilactobacillus sakei was the most abundant species. Metabarcoding analysis, in contrast, revealed that DNA of Xanthomonas was most prominently present, which likely was an artifact due to the presence of xanthan gum as an ingredient, followed by Streptococcus and Weissella.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results indicated that Lb. sakei was likely the most prominent specific spoilage organisms (SSO) and, additionally, that the use of metagenetic analysis needs to be interpreted with care in this specific type of product. In order to improve the performance of metagenetics in food samples with a high DNA matrix but a low bacterial DNA load, selective depletion techniques for matrix DNA could be explored.

Shape variability of the central sulcus in the developing brain: a longitudinal descriptive and predictive study in preterm infants

Despite growing evidence of links between sulcation and function in the adult brain, the folding dynamics, occurring mostly before normal-term-birth, is vastly unknown. Looking into the development of cortical sulci in infants can give us keys to address fundamental questions: what is the sulcal shape variability in the developing brain? When are the shape features encoded? How are these morphological parameters related to further functional development? In this study, we aimed to investigate the shape variability of the developing central sulcus, which is the frontier between the primary somatosensory and motor cortices. We studied a cohort of 71 extremely preterm infants scanned twice using MRI - once around 30 weeks post-menstrual age (w PMA) and once at term-equivalent age, around 40w PMA -, in order to quantify the sulcus's shape variability using manifold learning, regardless of age-group or hemisphere. We then used these shape descriptors to evaluate the sulcus's variability at both ages and to assess hemispheric and age-group specificities. This led us to propose a description of ten shape features capturing the variability in the central sulcus of preterm infants. Our results suggested that most of these features (8/10) are encoded as early as 30w PMA. We unprecedentedly observed hemispheric asymmetries at both ages, and the one captured at term-equivalent age seems to correspond with the asymmetry pattern previously reported in adults. We further trained classifiers in order to explore the predictive value of these shape features on manual performance at 5 years of age (handedness and fine motor outcome). The central sulcus's shape alone showed a limited but relevant predictive capacity in both cases. The study of sulcal shape features during early neurodevelopment may participate to a better comprehension of the complex links between morphological and functional organization of the developing brain.

Enhancer Locus in ch14q23.1 Modulates Brain Asymmetric Temporal Regions Involved in Language Processing

Identifying the genes that contribute to the variability in brain regions involved in language processing may shed light on the evolution of brain structures essential to the emergence of language in Homo sapiens. The superior temporal asymmetrical pit (STAP), which is not observed in chimpanzees, represents an ideal phenotype to investigate the genetic variations that support human communication. The left STAP depth was significantly associated with a predicted enhancer annotation located in the 14q23.1 locus, between DACT1 and KIAA0586, in the UK Biobank British discovery sample (N = 16 515). This association was replicated in the IMAGEN cohort (N = 1726) and the UK Biobank non-British validation sample (N = 2161). This genomic region was also associated to a lesser extent with the right STAP depth and the formation of sulcal interruptions, “plis de passage,” in the bilateral STAP but not with other structural brain MRI phenotypes, highlighting its notable association with the superior temporal regions. Diffusion MRI emphasized an association with the fractional anisotropy of the left auditory fibers of the corpus callosum and with networks involved in linguistic processing in resting-state functional MRI. Overall, this evidence demonstrates a specific relationship between this locus and the establishment of the superior temporal regions that support human communication.

Monitoring of Hygiene in Institutional Kitchens in Belgium

ABSTRACT

Microbiological contamination of food during preparation and storage is a risk factor in institutional kitchens. In this Belgian study, hygiene practices in 40 institutional kitchens from four public sectors (10 hospitals, 10 schools, 10 retirement homes, and 10 child care centers) were evaluated to determine whether differences in these practices exist between these sectors. Contamination levels were also analyzed at several critical contact points. A data collection instrument and microbiological analysis of hand contact surfaces, food contact surfaces, and kitchen utensils were used. Hand washing resulted in only a slight reduction in total aerobic bacteria counts (TACs), and all microorganisms evaluated except E. coli were still present at countable levels. Enterobacteriaceae were found on one-third of the cleaned cutting boards. Cleaned work surfaces had the highest average TAC of all cleaned surfaces. Only slight improvements in TACs and Enterobacteriaceae and B. cereus counts were observed between used and cleaned work surfaces. The results from the data collection instrument revealed that child care centers had the lowest hygiene scores, whereas the other three sectors were fairly similar, with hospitals scoring highest. The low hygiene score for the child care centers was verified by comparing the results for cleaned surfaces among the sectors. The average TAC on surfaces was highest for child care centers and lowest for hospitals. Child care centers also had the second highest total mean counts and the highest number of total surface samples positive for Enterobacteriaceae. The highest number of surface samples positive for Staphylococcus aureus was also found in child care centers. This study highlights some areas of concern for hygiene improvement in institutional kitchens, differences between public sectors, and similarities in conclusions about hygiene based on the scores from the survey instrument and the results of the microbiological analyses.

HIGHLIGHTS

Atomic Transport in Au-Ge Droplets: Brownian and Electromigration Dynamics

The deposition of Au on Ge(111)-sqrt[3]×sqrt[3]-Au above the eutectic temperature results in the formation of AuGe liquid droplets that reach the liquidus composition by digging a hole in the Ge substrate. The combination of low-energy electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy measurements shows that AuGe droplets randomly migrate or electromigrate under an applied electric current dragging their underneath hole. The droplet motion is due to a mass transport phenomenon based on Ge dissolution at the droplet front and Ge crystallization at its rear. At high temperature the mass transport is limited by attachment or detachment at the solid-liquid interface and the activation energy is 1.05±0.3  eV. At low temperature the effective activation energy increases as a function of the droplet radius. This behavior is attributed to the nucleation of 2D layers at the faceted liquid-solid interface.

Genetic Influence on the Sulcal Pits: On the Origin of the First Cortical Folds

The influence of genes on cortical structures has been assessed through various phenotypes. The sulcal pits, which are the putative first cortical folds, have for long been assumed to be under tight genetic control, but this was never quantified. We estimated the pit depth heritability in various brain regions using the high quality and large sample size of the Human Connectome Project pedigree cohort. Analysis of additive genetic variance indicated that their heritability ranges between 0.2 and 0.5 and displays a regional genetic control with an overall symmetric pattern between hemispheres. However, a noticeable asymmetry of heritability estimates is observed in the superior temporal sulcus and could thus be related to language lateralization. The heritability range estimated in this study reinforces the idea that cortical shape is determined primarily by nongenetic factors, which is consistent with the important increase of cortical folding from birth to adult life and thus predominantly constrained by environmental factors. Nevertheless, the genetic cues, implicated with various local levels of heritability in the formation of sulcal pits, play a fundamental role in the normal gyral pattern development. Quantifying their influence and identifying the underlying genetic variants would provide insight into neurodevelopmental disorders.

[Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction (LUTD) in institutionalized handicapped adults]

OBJECTIVES

To assess the prevalence and the management of the lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) in institutionalized handicapped adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Descriptive transversal observational study. Epidemiological study.

RESULTS

In this study realized in 150 residents of 6 nursing homes for adult, the prevalence of LUTD in institutionalized handicapped adults was 88.67% (133/150). This prevalence was 91.36% (74/81) for women versus 85.51% (59/69) for men, (P=0.260); 93.33% (14/15) in medical housing units [foyer d'accueil médicalisé (FAM)] versus 88.15% (119/135) in specialized housing units [maison d'accueil spécialisé (MAS)], (P=1); 80% (52/65) for those who walked without technical support, 89.47% (17/19) for those who walked with technical support, 98.08% (51/52) for the wheelchair users who were not able to walk, and 92.86% (13/14) for those who were not able to walk or to use wheelchair, (P=0.004); 69.81% (37/53) for those who were able to signal the need to void versus 98.97% (96/97) for those who were not able, (P=0.0000003); 76.92% (50/60) for those who were able to realize the transfers independently, versus 97.65% (83/85) for those who were not able, (P=0.0002); 67.39% (31/46) for those who could dress and undress by themselves versus 98.08% (102/104) for those who could not, (P=0.0000002); 77.27% (17/22) for water intake>2L, 91.67% (55/60) between 1.5 and 2L, 87.5% (49/56) between 1 and 1.5L, and 100% (12/12) for water intake<1L, (P=0.170). The LUTD were more frequent in people with physical disability (OR=10.70[1.53-75.09], P=0.017), in those with mental disability (OR=5.85[1.39-24.67], P=0.016), and in those with urological comorbidity (OR=9.70[1.25-75.55], P=0.03). For the management of the LUTD, the prevalence of expert medical advice was 9.77%, 24.81% (33/133) for the further examination, 16.54% (22/133) for rehabilitation treatment, 6.77% (9/133) for drug treatment, 2.26% (3/133) for surgical treatment, and 82.71% (110/133) for medical device.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the prevalence of LUTD in institutionalized handicapped adults was 88.67%.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Measurement of Sylvian Fissure asymmetry and occipital bending in humans and Pan troglodytes

The evolution of human-specific lateralised functions such as language has been linked to the development of structural asymmetries in the brain. Here we applied state of the art image analysis techniques to measure Sylvian Fissure (SF) asymmetry and Occipital Bending (OB) in 3D Magnetic Resonance (MR) images of the brain obtained in-vivo for 30 humans and 30 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). SF morphology differed between species, with the human SF terminating more superiorly in right inferior parietal lobe, an asymmetry that was on average absent in chimpanzees (F (1,52) = 5.963, p = 0.018). Irrespective of morphology, Total SF Length was, as previously reported, leftward in humans but not in chimpanzees, although the difference did not reach significance between species. However, when only brains possessing comparable bilateral SF bifurcation morphology were compared, humans showed previously reported "Typical" left-lateralised Anterior-Horizontal (AH-SF) and right-lateralised Vertical (V-SF) SF asymmetries. In contrast, chimpanzees lacked both asymmetries, and this approached being a significant difference between-species in the AH-SF segment (F (1, 34) = 3.680, p = 0.064). On average in humans the left occipital lobe crossed the midline toward the right (Rightward OB) which was significantly different from the chimpanzee cohort that showed no average OB (Independent-Samples Mann-Whitney U Test, p = 0.012). Furthermore, OB was related to SF asymmetry in humans, such that the more rightward V-SF and leftward AH-SF, the more rightward the OB. This "Default" pattern of SF and OB asymmetries was found in 41.7% of human individuals with bilateral SF bifurcation but none of the chimpanzees. To our knowledge, this is the first study highlighting that a pattern of SF and OB asymmetry distinguishes the human from the chimpanzee brain, and suggests this may be associated with a unique trajectory of brain development and functional abilities in humans.

Nonconventional starter cultures of coagulase-negative staphylococci to produce animal-derived fermented foods, a SWOT analysis

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are ubiquitous micro-organisms that are commonly present on animal skin and animal-derived foods. They are members of the beneficial microbial consortia of several fermented food products where they contribute to quality. Currently, only a few CNS species are included in commercial starter cultures, although many other ones with promising properties have been isolated from diverse food ecosystems. In the present study, a Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) analysis of the potential use of unconventional CNS starter cultures for the fermentation of animal-derived foods is carried out. An overview of both their desirable and worrisome metabolic traits is given. In general, the application of innovative CNS-based starter cultures offers opportunities to modulate flavour, improve the safety and health aspects and develop novel colour development strategies for clean label products. Yet, their implementation is often not straightforward as nontrivial obstacles or threats are encountered, which relate to technological, food safety and legal concerns. As most of the desirable and undesirable characteristics of CNS species are strain dependent, a case-by-case evaluation is needed when evaluating specific strains for their potential use as novel starter cultures.

The dynamics of cortical folding waves and prematurity-related deviations revealed by spatial and spectral analysis of gyrification

In the human brain, the appearance of cortical sulci is a complex process that takes place mostly during the second half of pregnancy, with a relatively stable temporal sequence across individuals. Since deviant gyrification patterns have been observed in many neurodevelopmental disorders, mapping cortical development in vivo from the early stages on is an essential step to uncover new markers for diagnosis or prognosis. Recently this has been made possible by MRI combined with post-processing tools, but the reported results are still fragmented. Here we aimed to characterize the typical folding progression ex utero from the pre- to the post-term period, by considering 58 healthy preterm and full-term newborns and infants imaged between 27 and 62 weeks of post-menstrual age. Using a method of spectral analysis of gyrification (SPANGY), we detailed the spatial-frequency structure of cortical patterns in a quantitative way. The modeling of developmental trajectories revealed three successive waves that might correspond to primary, secondary and tertiary folding. Some deviations were further detected in 10 premature infants without apparent neurological impairment and imaged at term equivalent age, suggesting that our approach is sensitive enough to highlight the subtle impact of preterm birth and extra-uterine life on folding.

Social cognition in autism is associated with the neurodevelopment of the posterior superior temporal sulcus

OBJECTIVE

The posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS) plays a critical role in the 'social brain'. Its neurodevelopment and relationship with the social impairment in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are not well understood. We explored the relationship between social cognition and the neurodevelopment of the pSTS in ASD.

METHOD

We included 44 adults with high-functioning ASD and 36 controls. We assessed their performances on the 'Reading the mind in the eyes' test (for 34 of 44 subjects with ASD and 30 of 36 controls), their fixation time on the eyes with eye tracking (for 35 of 44 subjects with ASD and 30 of 36 controls) and the morphology of the caudal branches of the pSTS (length and depth), markers of the neurodevelopment, with structural MRI.

RESULTS

The right anterior caudal ramus of the pSTS was significantly longer in patients with ASD compared with controls (52.6 mm vs. 38.3 mm; P = 1.4 × 10^-3 ; Cohen's d = 0.76). Its length negatively correlated with fixation time on the eyes (P = 0.03) in the ASD group and with the 'Reading the mind in the eyes' test scores in both groups (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the neurodevelopment of the pSTS is related to the ASD social impairments.

Spatial inhomogeneity and temporal dynamics of a 2D electron gas in interaction with a 2D adatom gas

Fundamental interest for 2D electron gas (2DEG) systems has been recently renewed with the advent of 2D materials and their potential high-impact applications in optoelectronics. Here, we investigate a 2DEG created by the electron transfer from a Ag adatom gas deposited on a Si(111) \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\sqrt{{\bf{3}}}{\boldsymbol{\times }}\sqrt{{\bf{3}}}$$\end{document}3×3-Ag surface to an electronic surface state. Using low-energy electron microscopy (LEEM), we measure the Ag adatom gas concentration and the 2DEG-induced charge transfer. We demonstrate a linear dependence of the surface work function change on the Ag adatom gas concentration. A breakdown of the linear relationship is induced by the occurrence of the Ag adatom gas superstructure identified as Si(111) \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\sqrt{{\bf{21}}}{\boldsymbol{\times }}\sqrt{{\bf{21}}}$$\end{document}21×21-Ag only observed below room temperature. We evidence below room temperature a confinement of the 2DEG on atomic terraces characterised by spatial inhomogeneities of the 2DEG-induced charge transfer along with temporal fluctuations. These variations mirror the Ag adatom gas concentration changes induced by the growth of 3D Ag islands and the occurrence of an Ehrlich-Schwoebel diffusion barrier of 155 ± 10 meV.

[Oxytocin administration during spontaneous labour: Guidelines for clinical practice. Guidelines short text]

OBJECTIVES

To define the different stages of spontaneous labour. To determine the indications, modalities of use and the effects of administering synthetic oxytocin. And to describe undesirable maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with the use of synthetic oxytocin.

METHOD

A systematic review was carried out by searching Medline database and websites of obstetrics learned societies until March 2016.

RESULTS

The 1st stage of labor is divided in a latence phase and an active phase, which switch at 5cm of cervical dilatation. Rate of cervical dilatation is considered as abnormal below 1cm per 4hour during the first part of the active phase, and below 1cm per 2hours above 7cm of dilatation. During the latent phase of the first stage of labor, i.e. before 5cm of cervical dilatation, it is recommended that an amniotomy not be performed routinely and not to use oxytocin systematically. It is not recommended to expect the active phase of labor to start the epidural analgesia if patient requires it. If early epidural analgesia was performed, the administration of oxytocin must not be systematic. If dystocia during the active phase, an amniotomy is recommended in first-line treatment. In the absence of an improvement within an hour, oxytocin should be administrated. However, in the case of an extension of the second stage beyond 2hours, it is recommended to administer oxytocin to correct a lack of progress of the presentation. If dynamic dystocia, it is recommended to start initial doses of oxytocin at 2mUI/min, to respect at least 30min intervals between increases in oxytocin doses delivered, and to increase oxytocin doses by 2mUI/min intervals without surpassing a maximum IV flow rate of 20mUI/min. The reported maternal adverse effects concern uterine hyperstimulation, uterine rupture and post-partum haemorrhage, and those of neonatal adverse effects concern foetal heart rate anomalies associated with uterine hyperstimulation, neonatal morbidity and mortality, neonatal jaundice, weak suck/poor breastfeeding latch and autism.

CONCLUSION

The widespread use of oxytocin during spontaneous labour must not be considered as simply another inoffensive prescription without any possible deleterious consequences for mother or foetus. Conditions for administering the oxytocin must therefore respect medical protocols. Indications and patient consent have to be report in the medical file.

Effect of sodium ascorbate and sodium nitrite on protein and lipid oxidation in dry fermented sausages

The effects of sodium nitrite and ascorbate on lipid and protein oxidation were studied during the ripening process of dry fermented sausages. Samples were taken at day 0, 2, 8, 14, 21 and 28 of ripening to assess lipid (malondialdehyde) and protein (carbonyls and sulfhydryl groups) oxidation. Sodium ascorbate and nitrite were separately able to reduce the formation of malondialdehyde. Their combined addition resulted in higher amounts of carbonyl compounds compared to their separate addition or the treatment without any of both compounds. Moreover, sodium nitrite limited the formation of γ-glutamic semialdehyde whereas sodium ascorbate showed a pro-oxidant effect. A loss of thiol groups was observed during ripening, which was not affected by the use of sodium ascorbate nor sodium nitrite. In conclusion, sodium nitrite and ascorbate affected protein and lipid oxidation in different manners. The possible pro-oxidant effect of their combined addition on carbonyl formation might influence the technological and sensory properties of these products.

Planum temporale asymmetry in developmental dyslexia: Revisiting an old question

Among the various asymmetrical structures of the human brain, the planum temporale, an anatomical region associated with a variety of auditory and language-related processes, has received particular attention. While its surface area has been shown to be greater in the left hemisphere compared to the right in about two-thirds of the general population, altered patterns of asymmetry were revealed by post mortem analyses in individuals with developmental dyslexia. These findings have been inconsistently replicated in magnetic resonance imaging studies of this disorder. In this report, we attempt to resolve past inconsistencies by analyzing the T1-weighted MR images of 81 children (mean age: 11 years, sd: 17 months), including 46 control (25 boys) and 35 dyslexic children (20 boys). We manually outlined Heschl's gyri, the planum temporale and the posterior rami of the Sylvian fissure on participants' brain images, using the same anatomical criteria as in post mortem studies. Results revealed an altered pattern of asymmetry of the planum temporale surface area in dyslexic boys only, with a greater proportion of rightward asymmetrical cases among dyslexic boys compared to control boys. Additionally, analyses of cortical thickness showed no asymmetry differences between groups for any of the regions of interest. Finally, a greater number of Heschl's gyrus full duplications emerged for the right hemisphere of dyslexic boys compared to controls. The present findings confirm and extend early post mortem observations. They also stress the importance of taking gender into account in studies of developmental dyslexia.

Invited review: effect, persistence, and virulence of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species associated with ruminant udder health

The aim of this review is to assess the effect of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) species on udder health and milk yield in ruminants, and to evaluate the capacity of CNS to cause persistent intramammary infections (IMI). Furthermore, the literature on factors suspected of playing a role in the pathogenicity of IMI-associated CNS, such as biofilm formation and the presence of various putative virulence genes, is discussed. The focus is on the 5 CNS species that have been most frequently identified as causing bovine IMI using reliable molecular identification methods (Staphylococcus chromogenes, Staphylococcus simulans, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus xylosus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis). Although the effect on somatic cell count and milk production is accepted to be generally limited or nonexistent for CNS as a group, indications are that the typical effects differ between CNS species and perhaps even strains. It has also become clear that many CNS species can cause persistent IMI, contrary to what has long been believed. However, this trait appears to be quite complicated, being partly strain dependent and partly dependent on the host's immunity. Consistent definitions of persistence and more uniform methods for testing this phenomenon will benefit future research. The factors explaining the anticipated differences in pathogenic behavior appear to be more difficult to evaluate. Biofilm formation and the presence of various staphylococcal virulence factors do not seem to (directly) influence the effect of CNS on IMI but the available information is indirect or insufficient to draw consistent conclusions. Future studies on the effect, persistence, and virulence of the different CNS species associated with IMI would benefit from using larger and perhaps even shared strain collections and from adjusting study designs to a common framework, as the large variation currently existing therein is a major problem. Also within-species variation should be investigated.

Combining low-energy electron microscopy and scanning probe microscopy techniques for surface science: development of a novel sample-holder

We introduce an experimental facility dedicated to surface science that combines Low-Energy Electron Microscopy/Photo-Electron Emission Microscopy (LEEM/PEEM) and variable-temperature Scanning Probe Microscopy techniques. A technical challenge has been to design a sample-holder that allows to exploit the complementary specifications of both microscopes and to preserve their optimal functionality. Experimental demonstration is reported by characterizing under ultrahigh vacuum with both techniques: Au(111) surface reconstruction and a two-layer thick graphene on 6H-SiC(0001). A set of macros to analyze LEEM/PEEM data extends the capabilities of the setup.

Antibacterial activities of coagulase-negative staphylococci from bovine teat apex skin and their inhibitory effect on mastitis-related pathogens

AIMS

To explore antibacterial activities of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) from teat apices of dairy cows towards mastitis-causing pathogens.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Of 254 CoNS, 38 displayed bacteriocin-like activity after a first screening. Seven of these strains displayed activity against at least one mastitis-related pathogen (Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus). Staphylococcus chromogenes L217 displayed the strongest inhibitory effect, being active against all tested mastitis-related pathogens and most tested CoNS. Based on cation exchange and reversed-phase chromatography, in addition to N-terminal Edman degradation and PCR, the antibacterial peptide was identified as a nukacin-type bacteriocin and named nukacin L217. Although staphylococcal bacteriocins are generally found in the cell-free supernatants of liquid cultures, Staph. chromogenes L217 only led to detectable activity when grown on agar medium.

CONCLUSIONS

Bacteriocin-like activities are not uncommon among CoNS from teat apices and may inhibit mastitis-causing pathogens, as found for nukacin L217 production by Staph. chromogenes L217.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Nukacin L217 is the first identified bacteriocin of the species Staph. chromogenes and displays unusual production kinetics, that is, requiring surface growth of its producer. The fact that nukacins are produced by different CoNS species suggests a role in the teat skin ecosystem.

Dihedron dielectric loaded surface plasmon athermal polarization converter

We investigate numerically a novel plasmonic polarization converter relying on the excitation of a so-called dihedron dielectric loaded plasmon polariton. The dihedron dielectric loaded waveguide consists of a dielectric ridge implemented at the inner corner of a metal-coated dielectric step. For a dielectric ridge with a square cross section, the plasmon polariton modes supported by each side of the metallized step hybridize to create supermodes with crossed polarizations. We show that the two supermodes can be operated in a dual-mode interferometer configuration to perform an efficient (24 dB) TE-TM/TM-TE polarization conversion over typical distances below 30 μm at telecommunications wavelengths. In addition, on the basis of the thermo-optical properties of our device, we find that the dihedron plasmonic polarization converter is temperature insensitive.

Summer Meeting 2013: growth and physiology of bifidobacteria

Bifidobacteria are a minor fraction of the human colon microbiota with interesting properties for carbohydrate degradation. Monosaccharides such as glucose and fructose are degraded through the bifid shunt, a dedicated pathway involving phosphoketolase activity. Its stoechiometry learns that three moles of acetate and two moles of lactate are produced per two moles of glucose or fructose that are degraded. However, deviations from this 3 : 2 ratio occur, depending on the rate of substrate consumption. Slower growth rates favour the production of acetate and pyruvate catabolites (such as formate) at the cost of lactate. Interestingly, bifidobacteria are capable to degrade inulin-type fructans (ITF) (oligofructose and inulin) and arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides (AXOS). Beta-fructofuranosidase activity enables bifidobacteria to degrade ITF. However, this property is strain-dependent. Some strains consume both fructose and oligofructose, with different preferences and degradation rates. Small oligosaccharides (degree of polymerization or DP of 2-7) are taken up, in a sequential order, indicating intracellular degradation and as such giving these bacteria a competitive advantage towards other inulin-type fructan degraders such as lactobacilli, bacteroides and roseburias. Other strains consume long fractions of oligofructose and inulin. Exceptionally, oligosaccharides with a DP of up to 20 (long-chain inulin) are consumed by specific strains. Also, the degradation of AXOS by α-arabinofuranosidase and β-xylosidase is strain-dependent. Particular strains consume the arabinose substituents, whether or not together with a consumption of the xylose backbones of AXOS, either up to xylotetraose or higher and either extra- or intracellularly. The production of high amounts of acetate that accompanies inulin-type fructan degradation by bifidobacteria cross-feeds other colon bacteria involved in the production of butyrate. However, bifidobacterial strain-dependent differences in prebiotic degradation indicate the existence of niche-specific adaptations and hence mechanisms to avoid competition among each other and to favour coexistence with other colon bacteria.

The use of nucleosides and arginine as alternative energy sources by coagulase-negative staphylococci in view of meat fermentation

The ability of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) to use alternative energy sources in meat may partially explain their occurrence in fermented meats. Of 61 CNS strains tested, all metabolized adenosine and inosine in a meat simulation medium (MSM). The ability to catabolize arginine via the arginine deiminase (ADI) pathway varied between strains. All tested strains of Staphylococcus carnosus and Staphylococcus epidermidis possessed an arcA gene and showed ADI activity, whereas other species, such as Staphylococcus equorum and Staphylococcus succinus, did not. Arginine catabolic mobile elements (ACME), as in the positive control S. epidermidis ATCC 12228, were uncommon and only found in Staphylococcus xylosus 3PA6 (sausage isolate) and Staphylococcus chromogenes G222 (teat apex isolate). Monoculture experiments were performed in MSM with S. carnosus 833 and SS3-4, S. xylosus G211, and S. epidermidis ATCC 12228 and 2S7-4. At all pH values tested (5.3, 5.8, and 6.5), the strains of S. carnosus catabolized arginine faster than the strains of S. xylosus and S. epidermidis. Only at pH 6.5 could a low ADI activity be found for S. xylosus G211. Increased ADI activity occurred in the case of the ACME-positive S. epidermidis ATCC 12228, when compared to the ACME-negative S. epidermidis 2S7-4.