Functional genomics studies shed light on the nutrition and gene expression of non-typhoidal Salmonella and enterovirulent E. coli in produce

Despite the fact that plants are not traditionally considered as hosts for human enteric pathogens, recent evidence suggests that non-typhoidal Salmonella and enterovirulent Escherichia coli recognize plants and rely on a specific set of genes to multiply in plant-associated environments, eventually causing dramatic outbreaks of illness. The advent of sensitive functional genomics tools, including differential fluorescence induction and in vivo expression technology, set the stage for the characterization of the genes and behaviors used by enterics to colonize, persist and proliferate within plants and the associated microbial communities. Meta-analysis of published data suggests that Salmonella and enterovirulent E. coli persist in plants using strategies that differ from those in phytobacteria. Virulence genes were upregulated in E. coli O157:H7 in the presence of lettuce leaf exudates, however Salmonella SPI-1 genes associated with gastroenteritis were dispensable during plant growth. Microarray and mutant studies of plant responses to human pathogens reveal that plants generally do not recognize Salmonella and enterovirulent E. coli as phytopathogens or beneficial symbionts, although the full spectrum of plant responses to enterics remains to be elucidated. Defining plant responses to human enteric pathogens becomes increasingly important as the feasibility of breeding for resistance to these organisms is being evaluated.     

Microbial growth,communities and sensory characteristics of vacuum and modified atmosphere packaged lamb shoulders

Packaging fresh lamb in a vacuum (VAC) versus a 100% CO₂ modified atmosphere (MAP) may influence product shelf-life and the bacterial communities. While VAC is a common packing method and 100% CO₂ MAP is used in some countries, there is little information about how these different techniques affect the growth of spoilage bacteria and sensory attributes of lamb. The aim of this study was to assess changes in microbiological and organoleptic properties, and determine differences in microbial communities by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) and 454 pyrosequencing, in bone-in (BI) and bone-out (BO) MAP- and VAC-packed lamb shoulders stored at −0.3 °C over 12 wk. VAC and MAP lamb shoulders were acceptable in sensory test scores over 12 wk of storage at −0.3 °C, despite total viable count (TVC) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) levels increasing to 8 log₁₀ CFU/cm² for VAC lamb and 4–6 log₁₀ CFU/cm² for MAP lamb. Similar to the sensory results, there were no significant differences in microbial communities between BI and BO product. However, types of bacteria were different between VAC and MAP packaging. Specifically, while VAC shoulder became dominated by Carnobacterium spp. in the middle of the storage period, the MAP shoulder microbial population remained similar from the start until later storage times.     

Characterization and properties of metallic iron nanoparticles: spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and kinetics

There are reports that nano-sized zero-valent iron (Fe0) exhibits greater reactivity than micro-sized particles of Fe0, and it has been suggested that the higher reactivity of nano-Fe0 may impart advantages for groundwater remediation or other environmental applications. However, most of these reports are preliminary in that they leave a hostof potentiallysignificant(and often challenging) material or process variables either uncontrolled or unresolved. In an effort to better understand the reactivity of nano-Fe0, we have used a variety of complementary techniques to characterize two widely studied nano-Fe0 preparations: one synthesized by reduction of goethite with heat and H2 (Fe(H2)) and the other by reductive precipitation with borohydride (Fe(BH)). Fe(H2) is a two-phase material consisting of 40 nm alpha-Fe0 (made up of crystals approximately the size of the particles) and Fe3O4 particles of similar size or larger containing reduced sulfur; whereas Fe(BH) is mostly 20-80 nm metallic Fe particles (aggregates of <1.5 nm grains) with an oxide shell/coating that is high in oxidized boron. The FeBH particles further aggregate into chains. Both materials exhibit corrosion potentials that are more negative than nano-sized Fe2O3, Fe3O4, micro-sized Fe0, or a solid Fe0 disk, which is consistent with their rapid reduction of oxygen, benzoquinone, and carbon tetrachloride. Benzoquinone-which presumably probes inner-sphere surface reactions-reacts more rapidly with FeBH than Fe(H2), whereas carbon tetrachloride reacts at similar rates with FeBH and Fe(H2), presumably by outer-sphere electron transfer. Both types of nano-Fe0 react more rapidlythan micro-sized Fe0 based on mass-normalized rate constants, but surface area-normalized rate constants do not show a significant nano-size effect. The distribution of products from reduction of carbon tetrachloride is more favorable with Fe(H2), which produces less chloroform than reaction with Fe(BH).     

Survival of Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes on Inoculated Almonds and Pistachios Stored at -19, 4, and 24° C

The survival of Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes was determined on almonds and pistachios held at typical storage temperatures. Almond kernels and inshell pistachios were inoculated with four- to six-strain cocktails of nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, or L. monocytogenes at 6 log CFU/g and then dried for 72 h. After drying, inoculated nuts were stored at -19, 4, or 24°C for up to 12 months. During the initial drying period after inoculation, levels of all pathogens declined by 1 to -log CFU/g on both almonds and pistachios. During storage, moisture content (4.8%) and water activity (0.4) of the almonds and pistachios were consistent at -19°C; increased slowly to 6% and 0.6, respectively, at 4°C; and fluctuated from 4 to 5% and 0.3 to 0.5 at 24°C, respectively. Every 1 or 2 months, levels of each pathogen were enumerated by plating; samples were enriched when levels fell below the limit of detection. No reduction in population level was observed at -19 or 4°C for either pathogen, with the exception of E. coli O157:H7-inoculated almonds stored at 4°C (decline of 0.09 log CFU/g/month). At 24°C, initial rates of decline were 0.20, 0.60, and 0.71 log CFU/g/month on almonds and 0.15, 0.35, and 0.86 log CFU/g/month on pistachios for Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes, respectively, but distinct tailing of the survival curves was noted for both E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes.     

An evaluation of the effectiveness of a chemical additive based on sodium benzoate,potassium sorbate,and sodium nitrite on the fermentation and aerobic stability of corn silage

We evaluated the effectiveness of an additive comprising sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and sodium nitrite (SSL) as active ingredients for its ability to improve the aerobic stability of corn silages made in North America. In experiment 1, treatment with SSL (1.5 and 2.0 L/t) on whole-plant corn (WPC) was compared with treatment with an additive containing buffered propionic acid and citric acid (BPA; 2 L/t) on corn harvested at 32 and 38% dry matter and ensiled for 120 d. Silage treated with BPA was higher in ammonia-N and propionic acid relative to other treatments. Treatments with all of the additives had numerically, but not statistically, fewer yeasts compared with untreated silage. Both application rates of SSL resulted in lower concentrations of ethanol compared with untreated and BPA silages. Treatment with BPA improved the aerobic stability of silages compared with untreated silage, but the effect from SSL was markedly greater. In experiment 2, WPC was untreated or treated with 2 or 3 L of SSL/t or a microbial inoculant containing Enterococcus faecium M74, Lactobacillus plantarum CH6072, and Lactobacillus buchneri LN1819 (final total lactic acid bacteria application rate of 150,000 cfu/g of fresh forage). Silages were air stressed for 24 h at 28 and 42 d of storage and ensiled for 49 d before opening. Inoculation had no effect on acid end products, ethanol, number of yeasts, or aerobic stability compared with other treatments. Treatment with SSL decreased the amount of ethanol, had no effect on number of yeasts, and improved aerobic stability in a dose-dependent manner compared with other treatments. In experiment 3, WPC was untreated or treated with 2 L of SSL/t and ensiled for 5, 15, and 30 d. Treatment with SSL resulted in silage with fewer yeasts and lower concentrations of ethanol after all times of ensiling compared with untreated silage. In addition, SSL improved aerobic stability after each period of ensiling, but the effect was more at 15 and 30 d compared with 5 d of storage. Treating WPC with SSL can improve the aerobic stability of corn silage made in North America, and the effect can be observed as soon as 5 d after ensiling.     

New insights on the metabolism of ricinoleic acid in ruminants

Dairy goats were fed a total mixed ration with or without the inclusion of castor oil [40 g/kg of dry matter (DM)] to study the metabolism of ricinoleic acid (12-OH,cis-9–18:1). Ten goats, at 39.7 ± 4.0 d in milk, were individually penned and allocated at random to the 2 experimental diets. Goats were manually milked twice a day. Milk fatty acids (FA) were analyzed as methyl esters and hydroxyl groups were derivatized in trimethylsilyl ethers. Apart from ricinoleic acid, 6 FA were only detected in the milk of the castor oil group. Ricinoleic acid composed 0.3% of total FA in milk of the castor oil group, whereas the hydroxy-FA (8-OH-14:0, 10-OH-16:0, and 12-OH-18:0) and oxo-FA (8-oxo-14:0, 10-oxo-16:0, and 12-oxo-18:0) reached 7.5% of total FA in milk. We anticipate that these FA were derived from the metabolism of ricinoleic acid, although it was not clear if they were produced in the rumen or in the tissues. To confirm that, we conducted in vitro batch incubations repeated for 3 consecutive weeks with castor oil (40 g/kg of DM) and strained rumen fluid from 2 fistulated sheep. To examine the products formed over time, incubation tubes were stopped at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. The results of the in vitro experiment showed that ricinoleic acid was metabolized in the rumen at a slow rate and the main products formed were 12-OH-18:0 and 12-oxo-18:0, by hydrogenation of the cis-9 double bond, followed by oxidation of the hydroxyl group, respectively. Our results suggest that the 12-OH-18:0 and 12-oxo-18:0 escape rumen and are further metabolized through partial β-oxidation in ruminant tissues. We propose that the 10-OH-16:0 and 8-OH-14:0 found in goat milk of the castor oil group are successive products of the β-oxidation of 12-OH-18:0, and the 10-oxo-16:0 and 8-oxo-14:0 are successive products of the 12-oxo-18:0 in tissues. Overall, our results indicate that ricinoleic acid is extensively metabolized in the rumen and tissues, producing mainly oxo- and hydroxy-FA that are further excreted in milk.     

向服务业务模式转型——中国企业的可持续发展之路

<正>通向差异化竞争和可持续发展的新道路面对产品同质化、利润率不断下降、消费者需求日益严苛等难题,中国制造企业重生产轻服务的模式将难以维持。2008年开始的席卷全球的金融风暴引发了一系列的实体经济危机,制造企业急需走出一条通向差异化和可持续发展的新路。     

Fluorotelomer acids are more toxic than perfluorinated acids

Saturated and unsaturated fluorotelomer carboxylic acids have been identified as intermediates in the degradation of fluorotelomer alcohols to perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs). Although surface waters are the likely environmental sink for telomer acids, no fate or toxicity data exist for this matrix. We assessed the acute toxicity of the 4:2, 6:2, 8:2, and 10:2 saturated (FTCA) and unsaturated (FTUCA) fluorotelomer carboxylic acids to Daphnia magna, Chironomus tentans, and Lemna gibba. In general, toxicity increased with increasing fluorocarbon (FC) chain length, particularly for telomer acids of > or =8 FCs. In addition, the FTCAs were generally more toxic than the corresponding FTUCAs. Acute EC50s ranged from 0.025 mg/L (0.04 micromol/L) for D. magna (10:2 FTCA, immobility) to 63 mg/L (167 micromol/L) for C. tentans (6:2 FTCA, growth). While chain-length trends observed in the current study agree with those previously reported for PFCAs, the toxicity thresholds generated here are up to 10,000 times smaller. Our data provide the first evidence that PFCA precursors are more toxic than the PFCAs themselves.     

The Effect of Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption on Overall Diet: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption is associated with reduced risk of major diseases. However, it is unclear if health benefits are related to increased micronutrient intake or to improvements in overall diet profile.

This review aimed to assess if increasing FV consumption had an impact on diet profile. In the systematic review, 12 studies revealed increases in micronutrient intakes, whilst the meta-analysis confirmed macronutrient findings from the systematic review showing no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in energy (kcals) in seven studies (mean difference = 1 kcals [95% CI = ?115, 117]; p = 0.98), significant decreases in total fat (% energy) in five studies (Mean difference = ?4% [95% CI = ?5, ?3]; p = < 0.00001) and significant increases in fiber in six studies (Mean difference = 5.36 g [95% CI = 4, 7]; p = < 0.00001) and total carbohydrate (% energy) in four studies (Mean = 4% [95% CI= 2, 5]; p = < 0.00001).

In conclusion, results indicate that increased FV consumption increases micronutrient, carbohydrate and fiber intakes and possibly reduces fat intake, with no overall effect on energy intake. Therefore health benefits may act through an improvement in overall diet profile alongside increased micronutrient intakes.     

Isolation of Alicyclobacillus and the influence of different growth parameters

Alicyclobacillus species are thermo-acidophilic, endospore-forming bacteria that are able to survive pasteurisation and have been implicated in a number of spoilage incidents involving acidic foods and beverages. The aim of this study was to compare three isolation methods used for the detection of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris and to investigate the influence of incubation temperature on the growth of A. acidoterrestris and A. acidocaldarius. Peach juice samples inoculated with A. acidoterrestris K47 were analysed using either the International Federation of Fruit Juice Producers (IFU) Method No. 12 (Method A), which involved spread plating onto Bacillus acidoterrestris (BAT) agar at pH 4.0; Method B, which involved pour plating using potato dextrose agar (PDA) at pH 3.7; or Method C, which made use of membrane filtration followed by incubation on K agar at pH 3.7. The performance of the three methods differed significantly, with the IFU Method No. 12 recovering the highest percentage of cells at 75.97%, followed by Method B at 66.79% and Method C at 3.43%. These findings strengthen the proposal of the IFU for the use of the IFU Method No. 12 as a standard international method for the detection of Alicyclobacillus. To investigate the effect on growth of different incubation temperatures A. acidoterrestris (three strains) and A. acidocaldarius (two strains) were incubated at either 45 °C or 25 °C. Growth at 25 °C was slower and maximum cell concentrations were lower (1 × 10⁵-10⁶ cfu/mL compared to 1 × 10⁷-10⁸ cfu/mL) than at 45 °C for A. acidoterrestris. A. acidocaldarius was unable to grow at 25 °C and cell concentrations decreased by 1-2 logs. Since a growth temperature of 25 °C could not inhibit growth of A. acidoterrestris, cooling to room temperature (20°-25 °C) is not an effective control measure for A. acidoterrestris inhibition.