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Based on material collected of both sexes, a new species of Melolonthidae, Dynastinae, Cyclocephalini: Cyclocephala mixteca sp. nov. is described. Types were collected using black light traps in the community of Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán, Oaxaca, Mexico. This new species is similar to Cyclocephala lunulata and represents the first endemic species reported for the Oaxaca state.

Paenibacillus dendritiformis UJA2219 isolated from carrot produces broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of partially-purified cell-culture extracts of strain UJA2219 on the microbial load and bacterial diversity of a home-made vegetable puree. The puree was challenged with an overnight culture of strain UJA2219 or with cultured broth extracts partially purified by cation exchange (CE) chromatog-raphy or reversed-phase (RP) chromatography and incubated for 7 days at temperatures of 4 °C or 25 °C. Best results were obtained at 25 °C with the RP extract, decreasing counts of presump-tive Enterobacteriaceae below detectable levels. The bacterial diversity of control and treated puree was studied by Illumina paired-end sequencing using DNA extracted from the puree samples incubated at 25 °C for 24 h. The controls and the puree inoculated with the UJA2219 strain showed an almost-identical bacterial diversity profile, with Proteobacteria (mainly Fam. Pseudo-monadaceae -gen. Pseudomonas- and Enterobacteriace as most abundant groups). Greatest differences in bacterial diversity were obtained in the puree treated with RP extract, showing a decrease in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria (especially gen. Pseudomonas) and an increase of Firmicutes (mainly of the genera Bacillus, Enterococcus and Lactococcus). Results from the study suggest that the antimicrobial preparations from strain UJA2219 have a potential for application in food bio-preservation.

Acknowledgments: Animals were tended in the Center for Production and Animal Experimentation (CPEA-University of Jaén). We thank Aceites Soler Romero for providing us with their extra virgin olive oil and Peter Cassidy for revising the manuscript., Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has proven to yield a better health outcome than other saturated fats widely used in the Western diet, including a distinct dysbiosis-preventive modulation of gut microbiota. Besides its high content in unsaturated fatty acids, EVOO also has an unsaponifiable polyphenol-enriched fraction that is lost when undergoing a depurative process that gives place to refined olive oil (ROO). Comparing the effects of both oils on the intestinal microbiota of mice can help us determine which benefits of EVOO are due to the unsaturated fatty acids, which remain the same in both, and which benefits are a consequence of its minority compounds, mainly polyphenols. In this work, we study these variations after only six weeks of diet, when physiological changes are not appreciated yet but intestinal microbial alterations can already be detected. Some of these bacterial deviations correlate in multiple regression models with ulterior physiological values, at twelve weeks of diet, including systolic blood pressure. Comparison between the EVOO and ROO diets reveals that some of these correlations can be explained by the type of fat that is present in the diet, while in other cases, such as the genus Desulfovibrio, can be better understood if the antimicrobial role of the virgin olive oil polyphenols is considered., Junta de Andalucía, grant PI Excelencia_2010 AGR 6340, University of Jaén, grant number PP2015/08/08

The objective of this work was to evaluate the microbiological quality of cheese produced by formal and informal micro-enterprises in Paipa, Colombia, to isolate potentially pathogenic bacteria and to determine their prevalence and resistance to antimicrobials such as antibiotics and biocides. Sixteen micro-enterprises of the seventy existing in the region were sampled during 3 years. Viable concentrations of aerobic mesophiles, total and fecal coliforms, Salmonella sp., Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus sp., yeasts, and molds were determined. Seventy-three bacterial isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The susceptibility of the isolates to antibiotics and biocides was determined. The results indicated that between 98 and 100% of the cheese samples (n = 48 samples) of formal and informal micro-enterprises presented populations of total and fecal coliforms and Staphylococcus sp. above the limits established by Colombian regulations and varied according to the micro-enterprise. The results also indicated that 56% of Staphylococcus isolates were S. aureus. L. monocytogenes was positive in 38% of the samples. Salmonella sp. was not detected. The coliforms that prevailed were Escherichia coli (25%), Citrobacter freundii (14%), and Proteus mirabilis (8%). All L. monocytogenes were sensitive to ampicillin but resistant to erythromycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. S. aureus isolates were susceptible to most antibiotics, except tetracycline and erythromycin (7% resistance). Likewise, 30% of coliforms (n = 36) were multidrug-resistant to antibiotics but susceptible to biocides.

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a tree widely cultivated in temperate regions for its tasty and healing fruits. Pruning works on the tree give each year considerable amounts of woody wastes that hardly have any utility. The aims of this work were to detect the most active antioxidants present in a cherry pruning wood sample, to isolate and characterize them, and study the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of components found in the wood ethyl acetate extract against a selection of foodborne microorganisms. The online HPLC–DPPH technique allowed the detection of two active antioxidant peaks that, after being isolated by a combination of countercurrent chromatography (FCPC) and conventional preparative techniques, and subsequent structural characterization by NMR, MS and polarimetry, resulted to be (‒)-catechin (1) and (‒)-taxifolin (4). Other components of the cherry wood extract were also isolated, among which compounds 1, 4, and (+)-dihydrowogonin (12) have never been reported in P. avium. A selection of the isolated flavonoids was submitted to antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity evaluations against strains from type culture collections, as well as on multi-resistant strains previously isolated in our laboratory. Those compounds with antimicrobial activity detected in preliminary screenings by standard agar diffusion tests ‒the flavan-3-ol 1, the flavanonols 4 and (+)-aromadendrin (5), the flavanone (+)-pinocembrin (15), and the flavone tectochrysin (17)‒ were subjected to the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) test, showing all of them MIC values of 100 μg/mL. Compound 4 also induced a significative inhibition on the formation of biofilms by Enterobacter sp. UJA37p at a concentration of 1 μg/mL and a significative disruption of preformed biofilm by this strain at 0.1 µg/mL. Similar results on biofilm disruption were observed with compound 17.

The effects of high-hydrostatic pressure (HP) treatments (450 and 600 megapascals, MPa, for 5 min at temperatures of 22 °C and 50 °C) on the microbiota of a coriander and parsley dressing was studied via culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches. Samples were refrigerated for 20 days, with periodic counts of the culture media supplemented with, or without, antimicrobials. HP-treated samples showed significantly lower viable cell counts compared to untreated controls. Only the control samples yielded bacterial growth on media with antimicrobials (imipenem, cefotaxime, benzalkonium chloride), including mostly Pseudomonas and Lactobacillus. Bacillus and Paenibacillus were identified from pressurized samples. Few isolates showed higher tolerance to some of the biocides tested. Pseudomonads showed outstanding resistance to meropenem and ceftazidime. According to high-throughput sequencing analysis, the microbiota of the dressing control samples changes during storage, with a reduction in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and an increase in Firmicutes. The composition of the residual microbiota detected during storage was highly dependent on the pressure applied, and not on the treatment temperature.

Los cultivadores de jamaica siembran genotipos criollos que se cosechan en el mes de diciembre con rendimientos bajos que promedian de 250 a 300 kg ha-1 en asociación con maíz y de 500 a 600kg ha-1 en unicultivo. Con el propósito de ampliar la oferta de genotipos, aumentar los rendimientos y disminuir las importaciones se ofrece la variedad mejorada Quinba R-TC que conserva el color, sabor y fecha de floración de la criolla regional y se mejoró el tamaño del cáliz, por lo que es una opción para incrementar los rendimientos y la rentabilidad de este cultivo en casi 20 mil hectáreas que se siembran a nivel nacional. Quinba R-TC, es producto de la cruza entre plantas de jamaica tipo Sudán (JTS) colectadas y seleccionadas en 2008 de un lote establecido en la zona jamaiquera del Estado de Guerrero y plantas provenientes de la variedad Tecoanapa conocida como criolla regional (CR). Con la F2 se inició la selección individual purificando en cada ciclo. La línea purificada se obtuvo en F7 y en 2013 se inició su evaluación y caracterización. Los descriptores básicos de selección fueron: uniformidad de la planta, tamaño y color rojo intenso del cáliz y rendimiento, el resultado fue una planta con siete días más precoz, los de cálices de color similar a la criolla regional y con 70% más grandes y de mínima pubescencia. Los rendimientos promedio fueron 80% mayores a la variedad de referencia; por lo tanto, es possible aumentar la producción de 4 500 a 8 000 t año-1.

Electronic commerce has established itself in recent years as one of the best marketing strategies globally for its efficiency and ability to bring producers and consumers closer together. However, the increase in the use of digital channels has generated a recent discussion in the legal community regarding the implications that this fact has on Competition Law. This note then aims to analyse the challenges facing free competition law in the scenario of new technologies and digital commerce. Moreover, this research note states that there are great difficulties for Competition Law since the consolidation of Big Tech also since these dilemmas are related to Ecuador as a consequence of its current regulations and the little technical expertise. KEYWORDS:Globalisation, electronic commerce, efficiency,market, legislation. JEL CODE: L81 RESUMEN El comercio electrónico se ha consolidado en los últimos años como un mecanismo que promete revolucionar el mercado en el mundo por su eficiencia y capacidad de acercar a productores y consumidores. Sin embargo, el aumento en el uso de canales digitales ha generado discusión en la comunidad jurídica respecto a las implicancias que este hecho puede tener sobre el Derecho de Competencia. En este orden de ideas, esta nota de investigación introductoria tiene como objetivo realizar un análisis acerca de los diferentes desafíos que enfrenta el Derecho de Competencia en el escenario de las nuevas tecnologías y el comercio electrónico a través del análisis del contexto ecuatoriano a comparación de otras realidades. A lo largo de las siguientes páginas se exponen una serie de argumentos que ilustran los nuevos retos que trae la consolidación de gigantes tecnológicos como las Big Tech en el mercado y además se argumenta como estos dilemas se amplifican en el contexto ecuatoriano como consecuencia de la calidad de su regulación y la poca experticia del país en la materia. ABSTRACT Electronic commerce has established itself in recent years as one of the best marketing strategies globally for its efficiency and ability to bring producers and consumers closer together. However, the increase in the use of digital channels has generated a recent discussion in the legal community regarding the implications that this fact has on Competition Law. This note then aims to analyse the challenges facing free competition law in the scenario of new technologies and digital commerce. Moreover, this research note states that there are great difficulties for Competition Law since the consolidation of Big Tech also since these dilemmas are related to Ecuador as a consequence of its current regulations and the little technical expertise. KEYWORDS:Globalisation, electronic commerce, efficiency,market, legislation. JEL CODE / CLASIFICACIÓN JEL: L81

En el presente artí­culo se abordan cuestiones referentes a la gestión de la Propiedad Intelectual desde la legislación y las polí­ticas públicas y la importancia que tiene en la esfera del desarrollo social en la actualidad, además se habla acerca del poco interés prestado por parte de la academia ecuatoriana al estudio de mecanismos para optimizar la capitalización de activos intangibles de Propiedad Intelectual y permitir de esta manera el pleno goce de sus frutos por su titular, es así­ que en las siguientes lí­neas se mencionarán algunos aspectos importantes a ser considerados para que la gestión de Derechos de propiedad Intelectual en el Ecuador refleje las necesidades de la cuarta revolución industrial y el mercado global en la actualidad.

This article addresses issues related to the management of Intellectual Property from legislation and public policies and the importance it has in the sphere of social development at present, in addition it talks about the little interest paid by the academy Ecuadorian to study mechanisms to optimize the capitalization of intangible assets of Intellectual Property and thus allow the full enjoyment of its fruits by its owner, so that in the following lines some important aspects will be mentioned to be considered so that the management of Intellectual property rights in Ecuador reflect the needs of the fourth industrial revolution and the global market today. KEYWORDS: Intellectual property, economic development, efficiency, economy, regulation. JEL CODE: O34 RESUMENEn el presente artí­culo se abordan cuestiones referentes a la gestión de la Propiedad Intelectual desde la legislación y las polí­ticas públicas y la importancia que tiene en la esfera del desarrollo social en la actualidad, además se habla acerca del poco interés prestado por parte de la academia ecuatoriana al estudio de mecanismos para optimizar la capitalización de activos intangibles de Propiedad Intelectual y permitir de esta manera el pleno goce de sus frutos por su titular, es así­ que en las siguientes lí­neas se mencionarán algunos aspectos importantes a ser considerados para que la gestión de Derechos de propiedad Intelectual en el Ecuador refleje las necesidades de la cuarta revolución industrial y el mercado global en la actualidad. ABSTRACTThis article addresses issues related to the management of Intellectual Property from legislation and public policies and the importance it has in the sphere of social development at present, in addition it talks about the little interest paid by the academy Ecuadorian to study mechanisms to optimize the capitalization of intangible assets of Intellectual Property and thus allow the full enjoyment of its fruits by its owner, so that in the following lines some important aspects will be mentioned to be considered so that the management of Intellectual property rights in Ecuador reflect the needs of the fourth industrial revolution and the global market today. KEYWORDS: Intellectual property, economic development, efficiency, economy, regulation. JEL CODE / CLASIFICACIÓN JEL:O34

High hydrostatic pressure (HP) is a promising method to improve the microbiological quality of sous-vide foods. Monitoring the composition and behavior of the microbial communities in foods is of most importance for the production of high-quality and safe products. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) provides advanced approaches to determine food’s microbial community composition and structure. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of different HP treatments on the microbial load and bacterial diversity of sous-vide Atlantic cod. Sous-vide cooking at 57.1 °C for 30 min followed by HP treatment at 500 MPa for 8 min reduced viable cell counts (total aerobic mesophiles) in the cod samples below detectable levels for 45 days of storage under refrigeration. In a second trial with cod cooked sous-vide at 52 °C for 20 min followed by HP treatments at 300 or 600 MPa (with HP treatment temperatures of 22 °C or 50 °C for 4 or 8 min, depending on treatment), only the treatments at 600 MPa delayed bacterial growth for at least 30 days under refrigeration. The optimal HP conditions to improve the microbiological quality of sous-vide cod cooked at low temperatures were obtained at 600 MPa for 4 min at a pressurization temperature of 50 °C. Bacterial diversity was studied in cod cooked sous-vide at 52 °C for 20 min by HTS. In the absence of HP treatment, Proteobacteria was the main bacterial group. A succession of Pseudomonadaceae (Pseudomonas) and Enterobacteriaceae was observed during storage. Firmicutes had low relative abundances and were represented mainly by Anoxybacillus (early storage) and Carnobacterium (late storage). The HP-treated sous-vide cod showed the greatest differences from controls during late storage, with Aerococcus and Enterococcus as predominant groups (depending on the HP conditions). The application of HTS provided new insights on the diversity and dynamics of the bacterial communities of sous-vide cod, revealing the presence of bacterial genera not previously described in this food, such as Anoxybacillus. The significance of Anoxybacillus as a contaminant of seafoods should be further investigated.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of hydrogen peroxide, potassium sorbate, sodium bicarbonate, and chitosan on mycelial growth and in vitro germination of Colletotrichum sp., to be used for future management of anthracnose disease in postharvest cv. Ataulfo mango fruit. Design/Methodology/Approach: The effectiveness of the treatments was evaluated using the poisoned culture method. The evaluated concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and potassium sorbate were 1.0, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.16, 0.12, 0.08, and 0.04 %; sodium bicarbonate, 1.0, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4 and 0.2 %; and chitosan, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, 1.0 and 0.5 %. A 6-day disk of Colletotrichum sp. mycelial growth was placed in each poisoned culture medium. The inhibition of mycelial growth and the germination of Colletotrichum sp. conidia were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized with five repetitions for mycelial growth and four for conidium germination. The results were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and the comparison of average ranges. The CE50 and CE95 of each product was estimated using Probit analysis with the results of mycelial growth inhibition. Results: The mycelial growth inhibition (100%) of the Colletotrichum sp. strain was reached starting at concentrations of 0.16, 0.2, 1.0, and 2.5% for hydrogen peroxide, potassium sorbate, sodium bicarbonate, and chitosan, respectively. The inhibition of conidium germination was only observed in treatments with hydrogen peroxide and potassium sorbate. The CE50 and CE95 for hydrogen peroxide was 0.1 and 0.12%; for potassium sorbate, 0.10 and 0.19%; for sodium bicarbonate, 0.16 and 0.88%; and for chitosan, 1.20 and 2.18%. Findings/Conclusions: The evaluated treatments represent an effective and viable ecological alternative for the control of Colletotrichum sp., causal agent of anthracnosis in mango fruit.

Butter and virgin olive oil (EVOO) are two fats differing in their degree of saturation and insaponifiable fraction. EVOO, enriched in polyphenols and other minority components, exerts a distinct effect on health. Using next generation sequencing, we have studied early and longterm effects of both types of fats on the intestinal microbiota of mice, finding significant differences between the two diets in the percentage of certain bacterial taxa, correlating with hormonal, physiological and metabolic parameters in the host. These correlations are not only concomitant, but most noticeably some of the changes detected in the microbial percentages at six weeks are correlating with changes in physiological values detected later, at twelve weeks. Desulfovibrionaceae/Desulfovibrio/D. sulfuricans stand out by presenting at six weeks a statistically significant higher percentage in the butter-fed mice with respect to the EVOO group, correlating with systolic blood pressure, food intake, water intake and insulin at twelve weeks. This not only suggests an early implication in the probability of developing altered physiological and biochemical responses later on in the host lifespan, but also opens the possibility of using this genus as a marker in the risk of suffering different pathologies in the future., Junta de Andalucia PI Excelencia_2010 AGR 6340, University of Jaen PP2009/13/03

Staphylococcus aureus is a common contaminant in artisanal raw-milk cheeses. Tolerance of S. aureus to biocides is a threat to disinfection in the cheese production environment, while antibiotic resistance and enterotoxin production are additional health concerns. This study aimed to evaluate the tolerance of S. aureus isolated from Minas artisanal cheeses to the biocides benzalkonium chloride, hexadecylpyridinium chloride, cetrimide, triclosan, hexachlorophene, and chlorhexidine, and the simultaneous occurrence of genes coding for antibiotic resistance (mecA, aacA-aphD, and tetK), efflux pumps [qacA/B and smr (qacC/D)], and enterotoxins (sea, seb, sec, sed, see, seg, seh, sei, and sej). Among the tested isolates, 38.2% were resistant to at least one biocide, and 73.1% were positive for one or more antibiotic resistance gene. Most of the biocide-tolerant and antibiotic-resistant isolates harbored efflux pump genes, and were positive for at least one staphylococcal enterotoxin gene. The study highlights the need for correct hygiene monitoring programs to ensure the safety of these products.

This article belongs to the Collection State-of-the-Art Biochemistry in Spain., Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare metabolic disease caused by variations in a human gene, PAH, encoding phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), and the enzyme converting the essential amino acid phenylalanine into tyrosine. Many PKU-causing variations compromise the conformational stability of the encoded enzyme, decreasing or abolishing its catalytic activity, and leading to an elevated concentration of phenylalanine in the blood, which is neurotoxic. Several therapeutic approaches have been developed to treat the more severe manifestations of the disorder, but they are either not entirely effective or difficult to adhere to throughout life. In a search for novel pharmacological chaperones to treat PKU, a lead compound was discovered (compound IV) that exhibited promising in vitro and in vivo chaperoning activity on PAH. The structure of the PAH-IV complex has been reported. Here, using alchemical free energy calculations (AFEC) on the structure of the PAH-IV complex, we design a new generation of compound IV-analogues with a higher affinity for the enzyme. Seventeen novel analogues were synthesized, and thermal shift and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) assays were performed to experimentally evaluate their stabilizing effect and their affinity for the enzyme. Most of the new derivatives bind to PAH tighter than lead compound IV and induce a greater thermostabilization of the enzyme upon binding. Importantly, the correspondence between the calculated alchemical binding free energies and the experimentally determined ΔΔGb values is excellent, which supports the use of AFEC to design pharmacological chaperones to treat PKU using the X-ray structure of their complexes with the target PAH enzyme., This research was funded by MINECO, Spain, grants BFU2016-78232-P and PID2019-107293GB-I00; EU (Interreg-SUDOE), grant NEUROMED; FECYT-PRECIPITA; and Gobierno de Aragón, Spain, grants LMP30_18 and E45_20R. M.C.-G. was recipient of a predoctoral contract from Gobierno de Aragón, Spain.

S- and Fe-cycling bacteria can decisively affect the crystallization of Fe-bearing minerals in sediments from fluvial environments. We have studied the relationships between the Fe-bearing mineral assemblage and the bacterial community composition in the sediments rich in organic matter from the upper Chicamocha river basin (Colombia). Rapid flowing sections of the river contain sediments that have a high redox potential, are poor in organic matter and are enriched in kaolinite and quartz. On the other hand, the mineral assemblage of the sediments deposited in the La Playa dam with a high content in organic matter is enriched in Fe-bearing minerals: (a) vivianite and pyrite in the permanently flooded sediments of the dam and (b) pyrite and goethite in the periodically emerged sediments. The bacterial community composition of these sediments reveals anthropic organic matter pollution processes and biodegradation associated with eutrophication. Moreover, periodically emerged sediments in the La Playa dam contain bacterial groups adapted to the alternation of dry and wet periods under oxic or anoxic conditions. Cell-shaped aggregates with a pyritic composition suggest that sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) communities were involved in the precipitation of Fe-sulfides. The precipitation of vivianite in the flooded sediments was favored by a greater availability of Fe(II), which promoted the iron-reducing bacteria (IRB) enrichment of the sediments. The presence of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) in the flooded sediments and the activity of iron-oxidizing bacteria (IOB) in the periodically emerged sediments favored both pyrite crystallization under a high sulfide availability and the oxidation of microbially precipitated monosulfides. Moreover, IOB enhanced goethite formation in the periodically emerged sediments.

Objectives In this study, 77 Enterobacter spp. isolates from a collection of 175 Gram-negative bacilli isolated from Tlemcen University Hospital Center (North-West of Algeria) were tested for antibiotic resistance, biocide tolerance and genetic determinants of antimicrobial resistance. Methods The isolates were identified by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Biocide tolerance was determined by broth microdilution, and antibiotic resistance was determined by disk diffusion. Genetic determinants of resistance were studied by PCR amplification using suitable primers. Results The most common Enterobacter species was Enterobacter cloacae (58.4%), followed by Enterobacter hormaechei (24.7%). The most common antibiotic resistance was to ticarcillin either alone or in combination with clavulanic acid (70.1%), followed by cefepime (68.8%), cefotaxime (63.6%), ceftazidime (54.5%) and gentamicin (54.5%). Tobramycin was active against 87.0% of the isolates. Levels of biocide tolerance were high for hexachlorophene and to a lesser extent for benzalkonium chloride. The extended-spectrum β-lactamase genes blaTEM and blaCTX-M were detected in 44.2% and 36.4% of isolates, respectively. Other antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) frequently detected were aac(6ʹ)-Ib (57.1%) and sul2 (50.6%). Multidrug-resistant isolates carrying several ARGs were common. Significant positive correlations were detected for efflux pump genes with ARGs and also between ARGs. Conclusion The results of this study reveal thatEnterobacter spp. isolates from hospital settings are both resistant to clinically-used antibiotics and tolerant to biocides. Biocide tolerance could be an advantage for antibiotic-resistant strains in hospitals.

Actualmente, el aumento de programas de intervención para la prevención del uso problemático de la red se ha convertido en una relevante demanda social, ya que se trata de un fenómeno emergente debido al aumento de los medios de comunicación. El propósito es presentar una revisión teórica del ciberbullying en la adolescencia y otras conductas de riesgo asociadas y exponer en profundidad las características metodológicas del programa Actitud.CIBER, implementado en Andalucía (España) como propuesta de intervención social para la prevención de los riesgos derivados del uso de internet y las nuevas tecnologías, así como la relación de dicho programa con la socioformación como enfoque teórico y con la contextualización de los posibles efectos de la implementación del programa en la actual crisis sanitaria del COVID-19.

Hybrid models combine physics-based models and data-driven models. This combination is a useful technique to detect fault and predict the current degradation of equipment. This paper proposes a physics-based model, which will be part of a hybrid model, for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system installed in the passenger vehicle of a train. The physics-based model is divided into four main parts: heating subsystems, cooling subsystems, ventilation subsystems, and cabin thermal networking subsystems. These subsystems are developed when considering the sensors that are located in the real system, so the model can be linked via the acquired sensor data and virtual sensor data to improve the detectability of failure modes. Thus, the physics-based model can be synchronized with the real system to provide better simulation results. The paper also considers diagnostics and prognostics performance. First, it looks at the current situation of the maintenance strategy for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning system, and the number of failure modes that the maintenance team can detect. Second, it determines the expected improvement using hybrid modelling to maintain the system. This improvement is based on the capabilities of detecting new failure modes. The paper concludes by suggesting the future capabilities of hybrid models.

Objective: To evaluate new hormonal and biostimulant products to induce flowering of Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) for winter production at the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: Prohexadione calcium (PHD-Ca), cytokinins, paclobutrazol, biuretic urea, granulated urea (46%) and a control were evaluated. Results: There are differences between treatments for the number of flowers and number of fruits (Pr>0.0411 and 0.048); regard the “number of flowers” variable, paclobutrazol, prohexadione calcium and granulated urea (46%) stood out; while, prohexadione calcium, paclobutrazol and cytokinins favor the “number of fruits” variable. The yields show statistical differences (Pr>0.0332) and the cytokinins and paclobutrazol stood out. Findings/conclusions: The usage of cytokinins for induction and winter production of Mexican lime is suggested.

Notas: El documento contiene dos artículos distintos del mismo periódico pegados a hojas con datos manuscritos. Los datos están en la parte superior de la hoja en el primer artículo, y en la parte superior del artículo (foto de pie de Cortázar) en el segundo., Tipo de publicación: Periódico, Título de la publicación: Het Parool, Periodicidad: Diario

Safety passenger transportation is more important than efficiency or reliability. Therefore, it is vital to maintain the proper condition of the equipment related to the passengers’ comfort and safety. This manuscript presents the methodology of complete development and implementation of both hybrid model and digital twin 3.0 for an HVAC in railways. The objective of this is to monitor the condition of the HVAC where it matters to the comfort and safety of the passengers in the trains. The level 3.0 of digital twin will be developed for the diagnosis and prognosis of HVAC by using hybrid modeling. The description illustrated in this paper is focused on the methodology used to implement a hybrid model-based approach, and both the need and advantages of using hybrid model approaches instead of data-based approaches. The development considers the importance of safety and environmental risks, which are included in the risk quantification of failure modes. Railway’s maintainers replace critical components in early stages of degradation; thus, the use of a data-driven model loses essential information related to advanced stages of degradation which might decrease the accuracy of the maintenance instructions provided. Physics-based model can be used to generate synthetic data to overcome the lack of data in advanced stages of degradation, and then, the synthetic data can be combined with the real data, which is collected by sensor located in the real system, to build the data-driven model. The combination leads to form hybrid-model based approach with a large number of failure modes that were unpredictable. Finally, the outcome is beneficial for the proper functioning of systems; hence, safety of the passengers. Godkänd;2022;Nivå 0;2022-10-14 (hanlid);Konferensartikel i tidskrift

We studied the relationships between the trace element concentration in sediments from a saline lake at a tropical latitude (Sochagota Lake, Colombia) containing hydrothermal and anthropic inputs with the organic matter content, the mineral assemblage composition and the activity of the bacterial communities of the sediments. Organic matter-poor sediments (TOC

Copper-derived compounds are often used in olive tree farms. In a previous study, a collection of bacterial strains isolated from olive tree farms were identified and tested for phenotypic antimicrobial resistance and heavy metal tolerance. The aim of this work was to study the genetic determinants of resistance and to evaluate the co-occurrence of metal tolerance and antibiotic resistance genes. Both metal tolerance and antibiotic resistance genes (including beta-lactamase genes) were detected in the bacterial strains from Cu-treated soils. A high percentage of the strains positive for metal tolerance genes also carried antibiotic resistance genes, especially for genes involved in resistances to beta-lactams and tetracycline. Significant associations were detected between genes involved in copper tolerance and genes coding for beta-lactamases or tetracycline resistance mechanisms. A significant association was also detected between zntA (coding for a Zn(II)-translocating P-type ATPase) and tetC genes. In conclusion, bacteria from soils of Cu-treated olive farms may carry both metal tolerance and antibiotic resistance genes. The positive associations detected between metal tolerance genes and antibiotic resistance genes suggests co-selection of such genetic traits by exposure to metals.

Guacamole is an avocado sauce highly appreciated for its pleasant taste and nutritional value. The present study addressed the impact of high-hydrostatic pressure (HP) treatments on the product safety and bacterial diversity. Four HP treatments, 5 min each, were applied: (A) 450 megapascals (MPa) at 22 &deg, C, (B) 450 MPa at 50 &deg, (C) 600 MPa at 22 &deg, (D) 600 MPa at 50 &deg, C. Controls and treated samples were refrigerated stored for 50 days. The residual surviving fraction was lowest for the 600 MPa treatment at 50 &deg, C. Bacterial growth on media supplemented with antibiotics (cefotaxime and imipenem) or the biocide benzalkonium chloride was detected only from control samples but not from HP-treated samples. High throughput sequencing analysis indicated that the bacterial diversity of control samples was dominated by members of Fam. Enterobacteriaceae, but it changed to a lactic acid microbiota during storage. HP-treated samples showed reduced relative abundances of Enterobacteriaceae and lactic acid bacteria and higher abundances of Pantoea, Ralstonia and Methylobacterium. Results from the study indicate that HP treatments of guacamole at 50 &deg, C show higher microbial inactivation compared to 22 &deg, C. However, all treatments reduced the levels of Enterobacteriaceae and penem-tolerant bacteria and provided product stability against acidification by lactic acid bacteria.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HP) and films activated with a combination of enterocin AS-48 and thymol (AF) on the microbial load and bacterial diversity of fruit puree (banana, apple, pear). HP and AF were applied singly, or in combination (AFHP). Samples were chill-stored. HP and AFHP treatments reduced viable counts significantly (P ≤ 0.05). The predominant bacterial groups in the puree were fam. Comamonadaceae (23.17%) and genera Methylobacterium (21.46%), Acidovorax (8.70%) and Sphingomonas (6.63%). Pseudomonas became relevant by the end of storage (10.50%). Most of the AF samples had higher relative abundances of Comamonadaceae, Methylobacterium, Acidovorax and Sphingomonas and lower relative abundance of Pseudomonas. Application of HP treatment markedly reduced the relative abundances of Comamonadaceae, Methylobacterium, Acidovorax and Sphingomonas. Lactobacillales increased in relative abundance upon application of HP treatment but not during storage, while Pseudomonas increased towards the end of storage. The combined treatment (AFHP) achieved greatest reduction in the relative abundances of Comamonadaceae and Methylobacterium. Results indicate that AFHP treatment had greatest effects on the bacterial diversity of the fruit puree and was also the most effective in keeping total aerobic mesophiles and Enterobacteriaceae below detectable levels.

International audience; We analyzed the adhesion capacity to mucus of 31 Lactobacillus pentosus strains isolated from naturally fermented Aloreña green table olives using an immobilized mucin model. On the basis of their adhesive capacity to mucin, three phenotypes were selected for cell-wall protein proteomic analysis to pinpoint proteins involved in the adhesion process: the highly adhesive L. pentosus CF1-43 N (73.49% of adhesion ability), the moderately adhesive L. pentosus CF1-37 N (49.56% of adhesion ability) and the poorly adhesive L. pentosus CF2-20P (32.79% of adhesion ability). The results revealed four moonlighting proteins over-produced in the highly adhesive L. pentosus CF1-43 N, which were under/not produced in the other two L. pentosus strains (CF1-37 N and CF2-20P). These proteins were involved in glycolytic pathway (phosphoglycerate mutase and glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase), stress response (small heat shock protein) and transcription (transcription elongation factor GreA). Furthermore, the relative fold change in gene expression analysis showed significant up-regulation of the genes coding for these four moonlighting proteins in the highly adhesive L. pentosus CF1-43 N versus the poorly adhesive L. pentosus CF2-20P and also in response to mucin for 20 h which clearly indicate the significant role of these genes in the adhesion capacity of L. pentosus. Thus, these proteins could be used as biomarkers for mucus adhesion in L. pentosus. On the other hand, mucin exposure induced other probiotic effects in L. pentosus strains, enhancing their co-aggregation ability with pathogens and possible inactivation.

In this article an analysis of the performance of the public defense of Ecuador is carried out with the objective of identifying administrative factors that affect the efficiency of this institution to propose solutions that allow an improvement in its performance since in recent years there has been a lack of productivity In this body, which is pernicious to consider that the exercise of the rights of many people in the country depends on their actions. In this project, through the introduction of the principal-agent model, the importance of the costs of agency in the results of the work of the public defense, as manager, and the damages that the citizenship receives as principal is explained. Some incentives to combat the problem of agency in public institutions are analyzed and finally the conclusion is reached that the inefficient performance of public defense lies in a structural problem of the Ecuadorian public administration.

Acidity often prevents the undesirable microbial colonization both in fermented foods and under gastric conditions. Thus, the acid resistance of Lactobacillus pentosus strains used as starter cultures and/or probiotics requires further understanding. This was investigated by means of comparative proteomic approach using three strains representing the phenotypes: resistant (AP2-15), intermediate (AP2-18) and sensitive (LP-1) to acidic conditions. Proteomic analysis of constitutive phenotypes revealed that the intrinsic resistance of L. pentosus is associated with the over-production of three principal proteins: 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate- dependent phosphoglycerate mutase 2 (PGAM-d), elongation factor G and 50S ribosomal protein L10, and additionally on ATP synthase subunit beta and chaperone protein DnaK; they are associated with metabolic pathways of proteins and carbohydrates, energy production and stress responses. Suggested protein biomarkers for acid resistance in L. pentosus include elongation factor G and PGAM-d, both being abundantly found in the constitutive proteome of the resistant phenotype under standard and acidic conditions. Furthermore, L. pentosus strains pre-exposed to acids displayed enhanced probiotic function such as auto-aggregation ability via surface proteins. We conclude that pre-exposure of probiotic L. pentosus strains to acid may strategically enhance their performance as starter cultures and probiotics. (c) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

European plum (Prunus domestica L.) is a tree cultivated in many countries for its edible fruits, and necessarily certain amounts of useless woody residues are generated every year during pruning works. The objectives of this research were to recover the phenolics present on that wood wastes and study their antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against a selection of foodborne microorganisms, including multi-resistant strains. The isolation of components was carried out by combining fast centrifugal partition chromatography (FCPC) and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the identification was achieved by conventional techniques. Nine compounds were identified: 2 flavan-3-ols [catechin (1) and epicatechin (2)]; 1 phenolic glucoside [annphenone (3)]; and 6 dimeric A-type proanthocyanidins (4–9). All of them have been reported in Prunus domestica by the first time in this work, with the exception of 1 and 2. Extracts, fractions and purified phenolics were submitted to antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity evaluations. The most significative antimicrobial effect was detected on the strain Enterobacter sp. UJA37p, previously isolated from organic tomato and with high tolerance to different biocides. All pure compounds showed MIC values of 100 μg/mL against this resistant bacterium. On the other hand, when bacteria were previously allowed to attach and form biofilm before treatments, we found interesting results in disruption of preformed biofilms with compound 7 [(+)-epiafzelechin-(2β→O→7,4β→8)-epicatechin], followed by compound 6 [(−)-ent-epiafzelechin-(2α→O→7,4α→8)-catechin] and compound 3 at a concentration of 0.1 μg/mL.

Natural A-type procyanidins have shown very interesting biological activities, such as their proven antiadherence properties against pathogenic bacteria. In order to find the structural features responsible for their activities, we describe herein the design and synthesis of six A-type procyanidin analogues and the evaluation of their antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties against 12 resistant bacteria, both Gram positive and Gram negative, isolated from organic foods. The natural A-type procyanidin A-2, which had known antiadherence activity, was also tested as a reference compound for the comparative studies. Within the series, analogue 4, which had a NO2 group on ring A, showed the highest antimicrobial activity (MIC of 10 μg/mL) and was one of the best molecules at preventing biofilm formation (up to 40% decreases at 100 μg/mL) and disrupting preformed biofilms (up to 40% reductions at 0.1 μg/mL). Structure–activity relationships are also analyzed.

Persistence of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella in the food chain may depend on strain tolerance to other antimicrobials and also on biofilm formation capacity. Yet, there is limited information on sensitivity of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella to other antimicrobials, such as phenolic compounds, chemical preservatives, or antimicrobial peptides. This study aimed at correlating antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation capacity in antibiotic-resistant, biocide-tolerant Salmonella strains from hen eggshells. A collection of 21 strains previously selected according to their antibiotic resistance and biocide tolerance phenotypes were used for the present study. Strains were inspected for their biofilm formation capacity and for their sensitivity to (i) phenolic compounds (carvacrol, thymol), (ii) chemical preservatives (sodium lactate, trisodium phosphate), and (iii) cationic antimicrobials (polymyxin B, lysozyme-EDTA). Biofilm formation capacity was not correlated with antimicrobial resistances of the planktonic Salmonella. Polymyxin B and the lysozyme-EDTA combinations showed significant ( P < 0.05) positive correlations to each other and to sodium lactate. Significant ( P < 0.05) positive correlations were also observed for benzalkonium chloride and cetrimide with carvacrol, thymol, and trisodium phosphate, or between hexadecylpyridinium chloride and carvacrol. Antibiotic resistance also correlated positively with a higher tolerance to other antimicrobials (cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and ciprofloxacin with carvacrol, thymol, and trisodium phosphate; netilmicin with thymol and trisodium phosphate; tetracycline with carvacrol and thymol). These results must be taken into consideration to ensure a proper use of antimicrobials in the poultry industry, at concentrations that do not allow coselection of biocide-tolerant, antibiotic-resistant Salmonella.

Fat type in diet is responsible for specific changes in gut microbiota (GM). Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has been shown to be beneficial for blood pressure and to produce effects on GM. To analyze the cause-effect relationship between intestinal microbial changes and blood pressure, we studied the effect of EVOO on fecal microbiota and systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SHR were fed either an enriched EVOO diet or a standard diet for a period of 12 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, the microbial profiles in the feces were studied in both groups by using PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Real-time PCR was used to quantify the selected bacterial groups. The results demonstrated significant differences when using Lactobacillus (p

A collection of 38 biocide-adapted strains with significant increases in their tolerance to biocides after step-wise exposure to these compounds were screened for sensitivity to essential oils and chemical preservatives. Several strains adapted to quaternary ammonium compounds (benzalkonium chloride, hexadecylpyridinium chloride or cetrimide) showed a generalized increase in the sensitivity to preservatives. Similar results were found among hexachlorophene- or chlorhexidine-adapted strains. Moreover, tolerance to hexadecylpyridinium chloride showed a very strong positive correlation with 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, thyme oil and sodium nitrite increased sensitivity, as well as a strong correlation with clove oil, potassium sorbate and potassium nitrate increased sensitivity. On the contrary, an increase in tolerance to preservatives was detected among triclosan-adapted strains. Results from this study suggest that exposure of bacteria from foods to biocides is not always associated with co-selection for other antimicrobial resistances, especially against essential oils or chemical preservatives used in the food industry.

The continued agricultural exposure of bacteria to metals such as copper and zinc may result in an increased copper tolerance through the food chain. The aim of this study was to determine the Cu and Zn tolerance of bacteria from fresh produce (cucumber, zucchini, green pepper, tomato, lettuce, vegetable salad, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, green onion, onion, and mango). Isolates (506 aerobic mesophiles) from 12 different food produce products were tested for growth in a range of Cu and Zn concentrations. Selected isolates were identified using 16S rDNA sequencing, and the presence of metal resistance genes was studied using PCR amplification. More than 50% of the isolates had MICs for copper sulfate greater than 16 mM, and more than 40% had MICs greater than 4 mM for zinc chloride. Isolates with high levels of tolerance to Cu and Zn were detected in all the produce products investigated. A selection of 51 isolates with high MICs for both Cu and Zn were identified as belonging to the genera Pseudomonas (28), Enterobacter (7), Serratia (4), Leclercia (1), Bacillus (10), and Paenibacillus (1). A study of the genetic determinants of resistance in the selected gram-negative isolates revealed a high incidence of genes from the pco multicopper oxidase cluster, from the sil cluster involved in Cu and silver resistance, and from the chromate resistance gene chrB. A high percentage carried both pco and sil. The results suggest that Cu and Zn tolerance, as well as metal resistance genes, is widespread in bacteria from fresh produce.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of high hydrostatic pressure treatment (HHP) on the microbiota of mango pulp. Mango pulp was artificially contaminated with its own epiphytic microbiota to simulate a worst-case scenario of contamination during pulp preparation. Controls and samples treated by HHP (600 MPa, 8 min) were chill stored for 30 days. HHP treatment significantly (P Actinobacteria (45.63%), Firmicutes (42.55%), Proteobacteria (10.68%) and Bacteroidetes (1.0%) changed during storage, with a strong increase of Proteobacteria . HHP treatment also induced a strong increase in Proteobacteria , followed by a late recovery of Firmicutes and to a less extent Actinobacteria . Lactobacillus was the main operational taxonomic unit (OTU) detected both in controls during early storage and in HHP-treated samples during late storage. Results from the present study indicate how bacterial populations of both controls and HHP-treated mango pulp samples undergo complex changes during refrigeration storage.

In the present study, a collection of 76 biocide-sensitive bacterial strains isolated from organically produced food were adapted by repeated exposure to increasing concentrations of the quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) benzalkonium chloride (BC) and hexadecylpyridinium chloride (HDP). The sensitivity of both wildtype strains and their corresponding QAC-adapted strains to other biocides and to antibiotics was studied. QAC tolerance increased in 88.2% of strains for BC and in 30.3% of strains for HDP, with increases in minimum inhibitory concentrations between 2 and over 100 fold. Adaptive resistance was stable after 20 subcultures in biocide-free medium for 7 and 5 of the BC- and HDP-adapted strains, respectively. Adaptation to BC and HDP also reduced the susceptibility to other biocides, mainly hexachlorophene (CF), didecyldimethylammonium bromide (AB), triclosan (TC) and chlorhexidine (CH). BC-adapted strains showed increased antibiotic resistance to ampicillin (AM) followed by sulfamethoxazol (SXT) and cefotaxime (CTX), and some showed increased sensitivity to ceftazidime (CAZ), CTX, AM and STX. Changes in antibiotic resistance in HDP-adapted strains were more heterogeneous and strain-dependent. Main efflux pump genes detected in QAC-adapted strains were acrB, sugE, norC, qacE and qacH, as well as antibiotic resistance genes aac(6_)-Ie-aph(2_)-Ia, aph(2_)-Ic, ant(4_)-Ia, lsa, mrsA/B, ereA, ermB and cat. Membrane anisotropy experiments revealed that QAC adaptation induced an increase in membrane rigidity in the case of BC, while response to HDP was more heterogeneous and strain-dependent. Growth capacity was significantly higher in some QAC-adapted strains and strain-dependent changes in heat tolerance were also detected in QAC-adapted strains. Gastric acid or bile resistances do not seem to be influenced by QAC adaptation.

A collection of 120 bacterial isolates from small medium enterprises involved in the production of cow milk and the manufacture of goat cheese were screened for sensitivity to biocides benzalkonium chloride (BC), cetrimide (CT), hexadecylpyridinium chloride (HDP), triclosan (TC), hexachlorophene (CF) and poly-(hexamethylen guanidinium) hydrochloride (PHMG). Nineteen isolates were selected according to biocide tolerance and identified by 16S rDNA sequencing as Lactococcus sp. (6) Enterococcus sp. (1), Lactobacillus sp. (4), Bacillus sp. (1) Escherichia sp. (5), Enterobacter sp. (1) and Helicobacter sp. (1). These were further characterised regarding antimicrobial resistance phenotype and genotype. Several isolates were multiply (3 or more) tolerant to biocides or resistant to antibiotics, but only two Escherichia sp. isolates and Enterobacter sp. were multiply resistant to biocides and antibiotics. Statistical analysis of biocide tolerance and antibiotic resistance revealed significant positive correlations between different biocides and between biocides and antibiotics. The biocide tolerance genes most frequently found were qacEΔ1 and qacA/B. The sulfonamide resistance gene sul1 was found in two Escherichia sp. isolates and in Enterobacter sp., all of which also carried qacEΔ1. Beta-lactam (blaCTX-M, blaPSE) and tetracycline resistance genes [tet(A), tet(C) and tet(D)] were detected. Efflux pump genes acrB and mdfA were found in most Gram-negative isolates. Results from the study suggest that exposure to biocides can indirectly select for antibiotic resistance.

Microbiota recovered from fresh produce (Romaine lettuce, endives and cucumbers) was allowed to form biofilms on stainless steel coupons. The formed biofilms were treated with benzalkonium chloride (BC) at three different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 g/l), enterocin AS-48 (50 μg/ml) and combinations of BC and enterocin AS-48. The single treatment with bacteriocin had no effect on viability of sessile bacteria. A high concentration of BC (1.0 g/l) was required to achieve 4.1 logs reduction of viable cell counts. The combination of BC (1.0 g/l) and enterocin AS-48 reduced viable cell counts below detectable levels. High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that the formed biofilms were composed mainly by Proteobacteria of the genera Pseudomonas and Stenotrophomonas . Treatments with enterocin AS-48 and BC at sub-inhibitory concentrations only induced minor changes in the relative abundance of the different bacterial groups associated with biofilms.

This study aimed at determining the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatments on the bacterial biodiversity of processed peaches. Peach cubes in peach juice inoculated with epiphytic microbiota recovered from peach surfaces were pressurized at 600 MPa for 8 min at temperatures of 22 °C and of 45 °C. Non-pressurized samples were used as controls. Samples were chill stored for 15 days. Application of HHP treatments reduced viable counts of total aerobic mesophiles and yeasts and molds, and delayed recovery of survivors. Pyrosequencing analysis revealed that 35.7% of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) from peaches samples belonged to Actinobacteria (mainly Couchioplanes, Bifidobacterium and Propionibacterium), 31.1% to Firmicutes (mainly Streptococcus, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus) and 28.8% to Proteobacteria (mainly Reyranella, Methylobacterium, Acetobacter, Dyella, Sphingomonas, Tatumella, Enterobacter, Prevotella and Gluconobacter). During storage of control samples, the relative abundances of Gluconobacter and Lactobacillus increased. Application of HHP treatments reduced the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Firmicutes while Proteobacteria increased. The opposite was observed during storage of the treated samples. Increasing the treatment temperature to 45 °C decreased the relative abundance of Actinobacteria. Results from the present study indicate that peach microbiota is strongly influenced by refrigeration storage and by application of HHP treatments.

Background: Paipa cheese is a traditional, semi-ripened cheese made from raw cow&rsquo, s milk in Colombia. The aim of this work was to gain insights on the microbiota of Paipa cheese by using a culture-independent approach. Method: two batches of Paipa cheese from three formal producers were sampled during ripening for 28 days. Total DNA from the cheese samples was used to obtain 16S rRNA gene sequences by using Illumina technology. Results: Firmicutes was the main phylum found in the cheeses (relative abundances: 59.2&ndash, 82.0%), followed by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Lactococcus was the main genus, but other lactic acid bacteria (Enterococcus, Leuconostoc and Streptococcus) were also detected. Stapylococcus was also relevant in some cheese samples. The most important Proteobacteria were Enterobacteriaceae, Aeromonadaceae and Moraxellaceae. Enterobacter and Enterobacteriaceae (others) were detected in all cheese samples. Serratia and Citrobacter were detected in some samples. Aeromonas and Acinetobacter were also relevant. Other minor genera detected were Marinomonas, Corynebacterium 1 and Chryseobacterium. The principal coordinates analysis suggested that there were producer-dependent differences in the microbiota of Paipa cheeses. Conclusions: lactic acid bacteria are the main bacterial group in Paipa cheeses. However, other bacterial groups, including spoilage bacteria, potentially toxin producers, and bacteria potentially pathogenic to humans and/or prone to carry antimicrobial resistance genes are also relevant in the cheeses.

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de las trampas CSAT modificada y PET en la captura del picudo negro del cocotero Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (Coleóptera: Curculionidae) en Río Grande, Tututepec, Oaxaca, México.Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Para capturar R. palmarum en una huerta de cocotero Enano Malayo Amarillo cv. Acapulco, durante 2016-2018 se instalaron trampas CSAT modificada y PET, ambas con Rincoforol como feromona y plátano Tabasco como cebo alimenticio. Con el registro de captura de cada siete días, se obtuvo el total mensual. Se utilizó un diseño de tratamientos de parcelas apareadas con seisrepeticiones y los resultados se compararon con la prueba de t de Student para muestras pareadas. Resultados: En los tres años del estudio, el promedio mensual de ejemplares capturados fue de 3.1 en la trampa CSAT modificada y de 1.5 en la PET (p

A comparative study on potential risks was carried out in a collection of 50 enterococci isolated from faeces of mice fed a standard or a high-fat diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil, refined olive oil or butter, at the beginning, after six weeks and after twelve weeks of experiments. Strains were biochemically assessed and genetically characterized. E. faecalis and E. casseliflavus were the most frequently isolated species in any diet and time points. Apart from the fact of not having isolated any strain from the virgin olive oil group during the last balance, we found statistically significant differences p &lt, 0 . 05 among the diets in the percentage of antibiotic resistance and in the presence of the enterococcal surface protein gene (esp), as well as a tendency p &lt, 0 . 1 for the presence of the tyrosine decarboxylase gene (tdc) to increase over time in the group of isolates from the standard diet. When the resistance of the strains to virgin or refined olive oil was studied, only the group of enterococci from high fat diets showed a significantly higher percentage of resistance to refined olive oil p &lt, 0 . 05 , while both types of oil equally inhibited those isolated from the standard diet p &gt, 0 . 05 .

The application of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP, 600 MPa, 8 min) on brined green asparagus and the changes in bacterial diversity after treatments and during storage at 4 °C (30 days) or 22 °C (10 days) were studied. HHP treatments reduced viable cell counts by 3.6 log cycles. The residual surviving population did not increase during storage at 4 °C. However, bacterial counts significantly increased at 22 °C by day 3, leading to rapid spoilage. The microbiota of green asparagus was composed mainly by Proteobacteria (mainly Pantoea and Pseudomonas), followed by Firmicutes (mainly Lactococcus and Enterococcus) and to a less extent Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. During chill storage of untreated asparagus, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria as well as Enterococcus and Lactococcus decreased while Lactobacillus increased. During storage of untreated asparagus at 22 °C, the abundance of Bacteroidetes decreased while Proteobacteria increased during late storage. The HHP treatment determined a reduction of the Proteobacteria both early after treatment and during chill storage. In the HHP treated samples stored at 22 °C, the relative abundance of Pseudomonas rapidly decreased at day 1, with an increase of Bacteroidetes. This was followed by a marked increase in Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia) simultaneously with increase in viable counts and spoilage. Results from the study indicate that the effect of HHP treatments on the viability of microbial populations in foods also has an impact on the dynamics of microbial populations during the storage of the treated foods.

The aim of the present study was to determine biocide tolerance and antibiotic resistance in Salmonella isolates from hen eggshells. A total of 39 isolates from hen eggshells, identified as either Salmonella spp. or Salmonella enterica according to 16S rDNA sequencing, were selected for biocide tolerance. Isolates with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) above the wild-type MICs were considered to be biocide tolerant: benzalkonium chloride (BC, 7.7%), cetrimide (CT, 7.7%), hexadecylpyridinium chloride (HDP, 10.3%), triclosan (TC, 17.9%), hexachlorophene (CF, 30.8%), and P3-oxonia (OX, 25.6%). The resulting 21 biocide-tolerant isolates were further characterized. Most isolates (95.2%) were resistant to ampicillin, but only 9.5% were resistant to cefotaxime as well as to ceftazidime. Resistance to chloramphenicol (61.9%), tetracycline (47.6%), streptomycin (19.0%), nalidixic acid (28.6%), ciprofloxacin (9.5%), netilmicin (14.3%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (38.1%) was also detected. Considering only antibiotics, 66.7% of isolates were multiresistant; furthermore, 90.5% were multiresistant considering antibiotics and biocides combined. Efflux pump and biocide tolerance genetic determinants detected included acrB (95.2%), oqxA (14.3%), mdfA (9.5%), qacA/B (4.8%), and qacE (9.5%). Antibiotic resistance genes detected included bla

Summary This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of two procyanidins isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of laurel wood against a selection of foodborne pathogens. The analysis of the extract by HPLC–DAD/ESI–MS allowed us to detect the presence of two procyanidins, which were selectively isolated and identified by chromatographic and spectroscopic means as cinnamtannin B-1 (1) and procyanidin B-2 (2). Procyanidins 1 and 2 exhibited two biological activities: inhibition of bacterial growth at high concentrations and prevention of biofilm formation at lower concentrations. Synergistic effect was also detected when both compounds were tested in combination against Listeria monocytogenes. Significant effects were also detected on disruption of preformed biofilm. The ability of procyanidins to inhibit microbial growth and biofilm formation and to synergistically work with each other may stimulate a market as natural food preservatives, and/or natural sanitisers for processing equipment where foodborne pathogens reside.