Wooden-Breast, White Striping, and Spaghetti Meat: Causes, Consequences and Consumer Perception of Emerging Broiler Meat Abnormalities

Ten years ago, the occurrence of macroscopic defects in breasts muscles from fast-growing broilers challenged producers and animal scientists to label and characterize myopathies wholly unknown. The distinctive white striations in breasts affected by white striping disorder, the presence of out-bulging and pale areas of hardened consistency in the so-called wooden breast, and the separation of the fiber bundles in breasts labelled as spaghetti meat, made these myopathies easily identified in chicken carcasses. Yet, the high incidence of these myopathies and the increasing concern by producers and retailers led to an unprecedented flood of questions on the causes and consequences of these abnormal chicken breasts. This review comprehensively collects the most relevant information from studies aimed to understand the pathological mechanisms of these myopathies, their physicochemical and histological characterization and their impact on meat quality and consumer's preferences. Today, it is known that the occurrence is linked to fast-growth rates of the birds and their large breast muscles. The muscle hypertrophy along with an unbalanced growth of supportive connective tissue leads to a compromised blood supply and hypoxia. The occurrence of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction leads to lipidosis, fibrosis, and overall myodegeneration. Along with the altered appearance, breast muscles affected by the myopathies display poor technological properties, impaired texture properties, and reduced nutritional value. As consumer's awareness on the occurrence of these abnormalities and the concerns on animal welfare arise, efforts are made to inhibit the onset of the myopathies or alleviate the severity of the symptoms. The lack of fully effective dietary strategies leads scientists to propose whether "slow" production systems may alternatively provide with poultry meat free of these myopathies.

Chikungunya outbreak in the Caribbean region, December 2013 to March 2014, and the significance for Europe

On 6 December 2013, two laboratory-confirmed cases of chikungunya without a travel history were reported on the French part of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, indicating the start of the first documented outbreak of chikungunya in the Americas. Since this report, the virus spread to several Caribbean islands and French Guiana, and between 6 December 2013 and 27 March 2014 more than 17,000 suspected and confirmed cases have been reported. Further spread and establishment of the disease in the Americas is likely, given the high number of people travelling between the affected and non-affected areas and the widespread occurrence of efficient vectors. Also, the likelihood of the introduction of the virus into Europe from the Americas and subsequent transmission should be considered especially in the context of the next mosquito season in Europe. Clinicians should be aware that, besides dengue, chikungunya should be carefully considered among travellers currently returning from the Caribbean region.

Shield formation at the onset of zebrafish gastrulation

During vertebrate gastrulation, the three germ layers, ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm are formed, and the resulting progenitor cells are brought into the positions from which they will later contribute more complex tissues and organs. A core element in this process is the internalization of mesodermal and endodermal progenitors at the onset of gastrulation. Although many of the molecules that induce mesendoderm have been identified, much less is known about the cellular mechanisms underlying mesendodermal cell internalization and germ layer formation.

Here we show that at the onset of zebrafish gastrulation, mesendodermal progenitors in dorsal/axial regions of the germ ring internalize by single cell delamination. Once internalized, mesendodermal progenitors upregulate E-Cadherin (Cadherin 1) expression, become increasingly motile and eventually migrate along the overlying epiblast (ectodermal) cell layer towards the animal pole of the gastrula. When E-Cadherin function is compromised,mesendodermal progenitors still internalize, but, with gastrulation proceeding, fail to elongate and efficiently migrate along the epiblast,whereas epiblast cells themselves exhibit reduced radial cell intercalation movements. This indicates that cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion is needed within the forming shield for both epiblast cell intercalation, and mesendodermal progenitor cell elongation and migration during zebrafish gastrulation.

Our data provide insight into the cellular mechanisms underlying mesendodermal progenitor cell internalization and subsequent migration during zebrafish gastrulation, and the role of cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion in these processes.

Coordinated cell-shape changes control epithelial movement in zebrafish and Drosophila

Epithelial morphogenesis depends on coordinated changes in cell shape, a process that is still poorly understood. During zebrafish epiboly and Drosophila dorsal closure, cell-shape changes at the epithelial margin are of critical importance. Here evidence is provided for a conserved mechanism of local actin and myosin 2 recruitment during theses events. It was found that during epiboly of the zebrafish embryo, the movement of the outer epithelium (enveloping layer) over the yolk cell surface involves the constriction of marginal cells. This process depends on the recruitment of actin and myosin 2 within the yolk cytoplasm along the margin of the enveloping layer. Actin and myosin 2 recruitment within the yolk cytoplasm requires the Ste20-like kinase Msn1, an orthologue of Drosophila Misshapen. Similarly, in Drosophila, actin and myosin 2 localization and cell constriction at the margin of the epidermis mediate dorsal closure and are controlled by Misshapen. Thus, this study has characterized a conserved mechanism underlying coordinated cell-shape changes during epithelial morphogenesis.

The Bmp gradient of the zebrafish gastrula guides migrating lateral cells by regulating cell-cell adhesion

BACKGROUND

Bone morphogenetic proteins (Bmps) are required for the specification of ventrolateral cell fates during embryonic dorsoventral patterning and for proper convergence and extension gastrulation movements, but the mechanisms underlying the latter role remained elusive.

RESULTS

Via bead implantations, we show that the Bmp gradient determines the direction of lateral mesodermal cell migration during dorsal convergence in the zebrafish gastrula. This effect is independent of its role during dorsoventral patterning and of noncanonical Wnt signaling. However, it requires Bmp signal transduction through Alk8 and Smad5 to negatively regulate Ca(2+)/Cadherin-dependent cell-cell adhesiveness. In vivo, converging mesodermal cells form lamellipodia that attach to adjacent cells. Bmp signaling diminishes the Cadherin-dependent stability of such contact points, thereby abrogating subsequent cell displacement during lamellipodial retraction.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that the ventral-to-dorsal Bmp gradient has an instructive role to establish a reverse gradient of cell-cell adhesiveness, thereby defining different migratory zones and directing lamellipodia-driven cell migrations during dorsal convergence in lateral regions of the zebrafish gastrula.

Prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusions after moderately ablative chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation for hematological malignancies: high remission rate among poor prognosis patients at the expense of graft-versus-host disease

We investigated the use of 'prophylactic' donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) containing 1 x 107 CD3+ cells, given at 30, 60 and 90 days post-allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation (BMT), following conditioning with fludarabine 30 mg/m(2)/4 days and melphalan 70 mg/m(2)/2 days. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporin A (CsA) 2 mg/kg daily with early tapering by day 60. Our goals were the rapid achievement of chimerism and disease control, providing an immunological platform for DLIs to treat refractory patients with hematological malignancies. Twelve heavily pre-treated patients with life expectancy less than 6 months were studied; none were in remission. Diagnoses were AML (n = 4), MDS (n = 1), ALL (n = 3), CML (n = 3) and multiple myeloma (n = 1). Response rate was 75%. Three patients are alive at a median of 450 days (range, 450-540). Two patients are in remission of CML in blast crisis and AML for more than 14 months. Median survival is 116 days (range, 25-648). Six patients received 12 DLIs; three patients developed acute GVHD after the first infusion and were excluded from further DLIs, but no GVHD occurred among patients receiving subsequent DLIs. One patient with CML in blast crisis went into CR after the first DLI. The overall incidence of acute GVHD was 70%. Primary causes of death were infections (n = 3), acute GVHD (n = 3), chronic GVHD (n = 1) and disease relapse (n = 2). We observed high response and chimerism rates at the expense of an excessive incidence of GVHD. DLI given at day +30 post BMT caused GVHD in 50% of the patients, and its role in this setting remains unclear.

Risk assessment for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in urban soils: chemical availability as the central concept

To assess the geochemical reactivity and oral bioaccessibility of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in urban soils from the Porto area, four extractions were performed including Aqua Regia (AR; pseudototal), 0.43 M HNO3 (reactive), 0.01 M CaCl2 (available), and 0.4 M glycine at pH = 1.5, SBET method (oral bioaccessible pool). Oral bioaccessibility in urban soils was higher than in samples from rural, industrial and mining areas which is most likely related to sources of metals and parent materials of corresponding soils. The availability and reactivity were described well by non-linear Freundlich-type equations when considering differences in soil properties. The resulting empirical models are able to predict availability and reactivity and can be used to improve the accuracy of risk assessment. Furthermore, a close 1:1 relationship exists between results from the 0.43 M HNO3 method and the SBET method which substantially facilitates risk assessment procedures and reduces analytical costs.

Exercise training decreases proinflammatory profile in Zucker diabetic (type 2) fatty rats

OBJECTIVE

In the present study we evaluated the effect of exercise on the plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and the anti-inflammatory molecule uric acid in the Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats that are more prone to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Sixteen obese ZDF (Gmi fa/fa) rats (8 wk old, 228.40 +/- 4.05 g) were randomly assigned to one of two groups (n = 8 each): an exercise-trained group and a sedentary one. In addition, 16 lean ZDF (Gmi +/+) rats (8 wk old, 199.00 +/- 3.50 g) were subjected to identical sedentary and exercise conditioning (n = 8 each). Initially, rats swam 15 min/d (5 d/wk) in a 36 degrees C bath. The exercise protocol was gradually increased by 15 min/d until a swimming period of 1 h/d (1 wk) was attained. Thereafter, rats swam 1 h/d, 3 d/wk, for an additional period of 11 wk. Rats were sacrificed 48 h after the last training period and the blood and pancreas were collected. Circulating levels of glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, uric acid, IL-6, and TNF-alpha were assessed. The concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines in the pancreas were also evaluated.

RESULTS

In the diabetic ZDF (fa/fa) rats, exercise decreased hyperuricemia (-37.3%) and IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels (-16.9% and -12.7% respectively) and maintained the weight of the pancreas at near normal. Immunohistochemistry revealed a marked decrease in the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in the pancreatic islet cells of ZDF (fa/fa) rats.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that aerobic exercise is anti-inflammatory in nature.

Identification of regulators of germ layer morphogenesis using proteomics in zebrafish

During vertebrate gastrulation, a well-orchestrated series of morphogenetic changes leads to the formation of the three germ layers: the ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. The analysis of gene expression patterns during gastrulation has been central to the identification of genes involved in germ layer formation. However, many proteins are regulated on a translational or post-translational level and are thus undetectable by gene expression analysis. Therefore, we developed a 2D-gel-based comparative proteomic approach to target proteins involved in germ layer morphogenesis during zebrafish gastrulation. Proteomes of ectodermal and mesendodermal progenitor cells were compared and 35 significantly regulated proteins were identified by mass spectrometry, including several proteins with predicted functions in cytoskeletal organization. A comparison of our proteomic results with data obtained in an accompanying microarray-based gene expression analysis revealed no significant overlap, confirming the complementary nature of proteomics and transcriptomics. The regulation of ezrin2, which was identified based on a reduction in spot intensity in mesendodermal cells, was independently validated. Furthermore, we show that ezrin2 is activated by phosphorylation in mesendodermal cells and is required for proper germ layer morphogenesis. We demonstrate the feasibility of proteomics in zebrafish, concluding that proteomics is a valuable tool for analysis of early development.

Redefining the role of ectoderm in somitogenesis: a player in the formation of the fibronectin matrix of presomitic mesoderm

The absence of ectoderm impairs somite formation in cultured presomitic mesoderm (PSM) explants, suggesting that an ectoderm-derived signal is essential for somitogenesis. Here we show in chick that the standard enzymatic treatments used for explant isolation destroy the fibronectin matrix surrounding the anterior PSM, which fails to form somites when cultured for 6 hours. By contrast, explants isolated with collagenase retain their fibronectin matrix and form somites under identical culture conditions. The additional presence of ectoderm enhances somite formation, whereas endoderm has no effect. Furthermore, we show that pancreatin-isolated PSM explants cultured in fibronectin-supplemented medium, form significantly more somites than control explants. Interestingly, ectoderm is the major producer of fibronectin (Fn1) transcripts, whereas all but the anterior-most region of the PSM expresses the fibronectin assembly receptor, integrin alpha5 (Itga5). We thus propose that the ectoderm-derived fibronectin is assembled by mesodermal alpha5beta1 integrin on the surface of the PSM. Finally, we demonstrate that inhibition of fibronectin fibrillogenesis in explants with ectoderm abrogates somitogenesis. We conclude that a fibronectin matrix is essential for morphological somite formation and that a major, previously unrecognised role of ectoderm in somitogenesis is the synthesis of fibronectin.

Amphotericin B use in a community hospital, with special emphasis on side effects

The purpose of this study was to analyze the usage of amphotericin B desoxycholate in a small community hospital, with special emphasis on its side effects and need for premedication. We performed a retrospective chart review for patients who received intravenous amphotericin B from January 1993 to May 1996. Temperature elevation, clinical symptoms during infusion, need for premedication, and fluctuations in serum potassium and creatinine values were especially noted. Statistical analysis showed that toxicity indicated by laboratory values (laboratory toxicity) increased with increasing amphotericin B dose, but clinical side-effects decreased with advancing age. Clinical side effects were not associated with total amphotericin B dosage; laboratory toxicity in our study was not more prevalent in elderly patients. The main finding of this study was that most patients tolerate amphotericin B well and only 23% of patients needed premedication. Our fungal cure rate was 83%. New, expensive preparations of amphotericin B should be reserved for the small subset of patients who either are intolerant of amphotericin B desoxycholate or need high doses for systemic fungal infections.

Safety and efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce ileus after colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND

Ileus is common after elective colorectal surgery, and is associated with increased adverse events and prolonged hospital stay. The aim was to assess the role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for reducing ileus after surgery.

METHODS

A prospective multicentre cohort study was delivered by an international, student- and trainee-led collaborative group. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The primary outcome was time to gastrointestinal recovery, measured using a composite measure of bowel function and tolerance to oral intake. The impact of NSAIDs was explored using Cox regression analyses, including the results of a centre-specific survey of compliance to enhanced recovery principles. Secondary safety outcomes included anastomotic leak rate and acute kidney injury.

RESULTS

A total of 4164 patients were included, with a median age of 68 (i.q.r. 57-75) years (54·9 per cent men). Some 1153 (27·7 per cent) received NSAIDs on postoperative days 1-3, of whom 1061 (92·0 per cent) received non-selective cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. After adjustment for baseline differences, the mean time to gastrointestinal recovery did not differ significantly between patients who received NSAIDs and those who did not (4·6 versus 4·8 days; hazard ratio 1·04, 95 per cent c.i. 0·96 to 1·12; P = 0·360). There were no significant differences in anastomotic leak rate (5·4 versus 4·6 per cent; P = 0·349) or acute kidney injury (14·3 versus 13·8 per cent; P = 0·666) between the groups. Significantly fewer patients receiving NSAIDs required strong opioid analgesia (35·3 versus 56·7 per cent; P < 0·001).

CONCLUSION

NSAIDs did not reduce the time for gastrointestinal recovery after colorectal surgery, but they were safe and associated with reduced postoperative opioid requirement.

Identifying multiple stressor controls on phytoplankton dynamics in the River Thames (UK) using high-frequency water quality data

River phytoplankton blooms can pose a serious risk to water quality and the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems. Developing a greater understanding of the physical and chemical controls on the timing, magnitude and duration of blooms is essential for the effective management of phytoplankton development. Five years of weekly water quality monitoring data along the River Thames, southern England were combined with hourly chlorophyll concentration (a proxy for phytoplankton biomass), flow, temperature and daily sunlight data from the mid-Thames. Weekly chlorophyll data was of insufficient temporal resolution to identify the causes of short term variations in phytoplankton biomass. However, hourly chlorophyll data enabled identification of thresholds in water temperature (between 9 and 19°C) and flow (<30m(3)s(-1)) that explained the development of phytoplankton populations. Analysis showed that periods of high phytoplankton biomass and growth rate only occurred when these flow and temperature conditions were within these thresholds, and coincided with periods of long sunshine duration, indicating multiple stressor controls. Nutrient concentrations appeared to have no impact on the timing or magnitude of phytoplankton bloom development, but severe depletion of dissolved phosphorus and silicon during periods of high phytoplankton biomass may have contributed to some bloom collapses through nutrient limitation. This study indicates that for nutrient enriched rivers such as the Thames, manipulating residence time (through removing impoundments) and light/temperature (by increasing riparian tree shading) may offer more realistic solutions than reducing phosphorus concentrations for controlling excessive phytoplankton biomass.

Human bronchial epithelial cells malignantly transformed by hexavalent chromium exhibit an aneuploid phenotype but no microsatellite instability

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a well-recognized human lung carcinogen. In order to gain further insight into Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis, we have established an adequate in vitro cellular model for the study of this process. To this end, BEAS-2B cells were used. Chronic exposure of cells to 1 microM Cr(VI) induced changes in the cells' ploidy and a decrease in cloning efficiency, although cultures continued to progress to confluence. After prolonged exposure (12 passages), the culture became heterogeneous, exhibiting areas where apparently normal epithelial cells and morphologically altered cells coexisted. Subsequent culture at a very low density strongly accentuated the Cr(VI)-induced changes in morphology and pattern of growth. Three individual colonies were then ring-cloned and expanded into three subclonal aneuploid cell lines. These subclonal cell lines showed changes in growth pattern and morphology, as well as a karyotype drift concomitant with the overexpression of genes commonly involved in malignant transformation (c-MYC, EGFR, HIF-1alpha and LDH-A). Moreover, when one of these cell lines (RenG2) was injected into nude mice, it showed the ability to induce tumors. This cell line revealed no microsatellite instability (MSI), which points to the expression of a functional MLH1 protein and an active mismatch repair (MMR) system. Therefore, the progression to malignancy of the BEAS-2B cells involved Cr(VI)-induced transformants that retained the ability to repair DNA damage, suggesting that genotoxicity underlies the ongoing carcinogenic process.

Can a clinical classification of stroke predict complications and treatments during hospitalization?

The predictive value of the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project ischemic stroke classification for acute stroke complications, therapeutic interventions and disability at discharge was investigated in 297 consecutive first-ever acute stroke patients. More than one medical complication (odds ratio, OR = 2.2), fever (OR = 2.5) and dependency (Rankin grade > 2) at discharge (OR = 2.3) were more frequent in intracerebral hemorrhage patients. Fever and urinary tract infections were the most common complications among ischemic stroke patients. Both were more frequent in total anterior circulation infarct (TACI) patients (OR = 11.5 and OR = 3.7). Neurological deterioration was observed in about 10% of TACI and posterior circulation infarct (POCI) patients. Dependency at discharge was more frequent in TACI patients (OR = 10.3). Logistic regression analysis identified ischemic stroke subgroups (OR = 8.4) and medical complications (OR = 3.8) as predictors of poor outcome (Rankin score > or = 4). A clinical classification is useful to predict possible medical and neurological complications in the acute phase, death and dependency at discharge.

A large community outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal, October to November 2014

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches

Control of convergent yolk syncytial layer nuclear movement in zebrafish

Nuclear movements play an essential role in metazoan development. Although the intracellular transport mechanisms underlying nuclear movements have been studied in detail, relatively little is known about signals from surrounding cells and tissues controlling these movements. Here, we show that, in gastrulating zebrafish embryos, convergence movements of nuclei within the yolk syncytial layer (YSL) are guided by mesoderm and endoderm progenitors migrating along the surface of the yolk towards the dorsal side of the developing gastrula. Progenitor cells direct the convergence movements of internal yolk syncytial nuclei (iYSN) by modulating cortical flow within the YSL in which the iYSN are entrained. The effect of mesoderm and endoderm progenitors on the convergence movement of iYSN depends on the expression of E-cadherin, indicating that adhesive contact between the cells and the YSL is required for the mesendoderm-modulated YSL cortical flow mediating nuclear convergence. In summary, our data reveal a crucial function for cortical flow in the coordination of syncytial nuclear movements with surrounding cells and tissues during zebrafish gastrulation.

Climatic drivers of seasonal influenza epidemics in French Guiana, 2006-2010

OBJECTIVES

Influenza seasonality remains poorly studied in Equatorial regions. Here we assessed the seasonal characteristics and environmental drivers of influenza epidemics in French Guiana, where influenza surveillance was established in 2006.

METHODS

Sentinel GPs monitored weekly incidence of Influenza-like illnesses (ILI) from January 2006 through December 2010 and collected nasopharyngeal specimens from patients for virological confirmation. Times series analysis was used to investigate relationship between ILI and climatic parameters (rainfall and specific humidity).

RESULTS

Based on 1533 viruses identified during the study period, we observed marked seasonality in the circulation of influenza virus in the pre-pandemic period, followed by year-round activity in the post-pandemic period, with a peak in the rainy season. ILI incidence showed seasonal autoregressive variation based on ARIMA analysis. Multivariate dynamic regression revealed that a 1 mm increase of rainfall resulted in an increase of 0.33% in ILI incidence one week later, adjusting for specific humidity (SH). Conversely, an increase of 1 g/kg of SH resulted in a decrease of 11% in ILI incidence 3 weeks later, adjusting for rainfall.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased rainfall and low levels of specific humidity favour influenza transmission in French Guiana.

Inflammatory bowel disease: a patient's and caregiver's perspective

The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey examining the impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on patients' and their caregivers' daily activities. Questionnaires were distributed to patients registered in the APDI (Portuguese Association for IBD) database and their respective caregivers in 2007. Of 422 patient respondents, 251 had Crohn's disease (CD) and 171 had ulcerative colitis (UC), with the majority of patients being women (58.1%) and aged over 40 years (37.4%). The number of disease flares experienced by IBD patients was slightly higher for patients with CD than for patients with UC (2.64 vs. 2.34), and surgery was more often required in CD patients as compared to UC patients (42.4 vs. 7%). Sixty percent (60%) of patients reported having no problems with mobility, daily activities, or personal hygiene; however, over half of all patients experienced some pain and anxiety. Adult patients and children and adolescents respectively experienced time off work or school due to their disease but caregivers were not affected in this regard. The caregivers life (N=324) was affected by anxiety, with the major concern reported as the risk of the patient developing cancer. Both IBD patients and caregivers thought that the provision of information on new drugs and contact time with a doctor would have the biggest impact on improving care. The symptoms and complications of IBD have a considerable impact on the lives of patients and their caregivers, and several actions could be taken to improve their care.