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Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC), particularly high-risk lineages, are responsible for severe infections and increased mortality and hospital costs worldwide, with a major burden in low-income countries. Here we determined the antimicrobial susceptibility and performed whole-genome sequencing of E. coli isolates from extraintestinal infections of patients during 2017–2018 at Maputo Central Hospital (Mozambique). Multidrug resistance was displayed by 71% of isolates (17/24). All isolates resistant to cefotaxime and ceftazidime were positive for ESBL genes (16/24; 67%) and were co-resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanate (14/16; 88%), piperacillin/tazobactam (8/16; 50%), gentamicin (12/16; 75%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (15/16; 94%) and ciprofloxacin (11/16; 69%). Several major high-risk ExPEC lineages were identified, such as H 30Rx-ST131, fim H41-ST131, H 24Rx-ST410, ST617, ST361 and ST69 harbouring bla CTX-M-15 , and H 30R-ST131, ST38 and ST457 carrying bla CTX-M-27. Dissemination of CTX-M transposition units (IS Ecp1 – bla CTX-M-15 – orf477 and IS Ecp1 – bla CTX-M-27 –IS 903B) among different sequence types could be occurring through the mobility of IncF plasmids. Additionally, all H 24Rx-ST410 isolates carried IS Ecp1 -mediated bla CMY-2 AmpC and specific mutations in PBP3/OmpC proteins, potentially contributing to carbapenem resistance even in the absence of carbapenemase genes. Genome analysis highlighted a high assortment of ExPEC/UPEC virulence‐associated genes mainly involved in adhesion, invasion, iron uptake and secretory systems among isolates, and an ExPEC/EAEC hybrid pathotype (fimH 27-ST131_O18-ac:H4) showing the highest virulence gene content. cgMLST showed clonality and closely related isolates, particularly among ST131 and ST410, suggesting hospital-acquired infections and long-term ward persistence. Our study provides new insights into ExPEC clones, urging measures to prevent and contain their diffusion in this hospital and Mozambique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nannizzia incurvata , a species belonging to the Nannizzia gypsea complex, is considered a neglected pathogen. To detected N. incurvata isolates from dermatophytosis patients in Hue city - Viet Nam, and test the antifungal susceptibility of this species. Moreover, fungal capability to produce hydrolytic enzymes was evaluated. Patients' samples were collected and cultured on Sabouraud-chloramphenicol-cycloheximide medium. Dermatophytes isolates were initially macroscopically and microscopically identified. ITS PCR-RFLP and ITS rDNA sequences were performed to determine and confirm species. An ITS Neighbor-Joining phylogenetic tree evaluated the genetic relationship among isolates. Fungal hydrolytic enzymes were examined, including lipase, phospholipase and protease. Antifungal susceptibility testing was carried out by the disk diffusion method. MICs of itraconazole, voriconazole, and terbinafine against these isolates were determined by the broth microdilution method. Twelve isolates of N. gypsea complex were preliminary morphologically identified. PCR-RFLP and ITS-rDNA sequencing identified and confirmed dermatophytes as N. incurvata strains, respectively. An evident polymorphism among isolates was highlighted in the phylogenetic tree. All isolates showed the activity of lipase, phospholipase, and protease production. Overall, all N. incurvata isolates were susceptible to itraconazole, voriconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole, and terbinafine. Few isolates were susceptible to griseofulvin, and none of them were susceptible to fluconazole. There was a presence of polyclonal N. incurvata isolates in dermatophytosis patients from Hue city, identified by PCR-RLFP and confirmed by ITS sequencing. We confirmed PCR-RLFP as a reliable technique to identify this species. Azole and terbinafine are the optimal choices for N. incurvata treatment except for fluconazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study the Pb2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+ adsorption capacity of a natural zeolite was evaluated in batch tests at a constant pH of 5.5 by polluting this mineral with solutions containing increasing concentrations of the three cations to obtain adsorption isotherms. In addition X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was used to investigate the changes of zeolite structure caused by the exchange with cations of different ionic radius. The zeolite adsorption capacity for the three cations was Zn>Pb>Cd. Moreover a sequential extraction procedure [H2O, 0.05M Ca(NO3)2 and 0.02M EDTA] was applied to zeolite samples used in the adsorption experiments to determine the chemical form of the cations bound to the sorbent. Using this approach it was shown that low concentrations of Pb2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+ were present as water-soluble and exchangeable fractions (<25% of the Me adsorbed), while EDTA extracted most of the adsorbed cations from the zeolite (>27% of the Me adsorbed). The XRD pattern of zeolite, analysed according to the Rietveld method, showed that the main mineralogical phase involved in the adsorption process was clinoptilolite. Besides structure information showed that the incorporation of Pb2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+, into the zeolite frameworks changed slightly but appreciably the lattice parameters. XRD analysis also showed the occurrence of some isomorphic substitution phenomena where the Al3+ ions of the clinoptilolite framework were replaced by exchanged Pb2+ cations in the course of the ion exchange reaction. This mechanism was instead less evident in the patterns of the samples doped with Cd2+ and Zn2+ cations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects of chemical amendments (zeolite, compost and calcium hydroxide) on the solubility of Pb, Cd and Zn in a contaminated soil were determined. The polluted soil was from the Southwest Sardinia, Italy. It showed very high total concentrations of Pb (19663mgkg−1 d.m.), Cd (196mgkg−1 d.m.) and Zn (14667mgkg−1 d.m.). The growth and uptake of heavy metals by white lupin (Lupinus albus L., cv. Multitalia) in amended soils were also studied in a pot experiment under greenhouse conditions. Results showed that the amendments increased the residual fraction of heavy metals in the soils, and decreased the heavy metals uptake by white lupin compared with the unamended control. Among the three amendments, compost and Ca(OH)2 were the most efficient at reducing Pb and Zn uptake, while zeolite was the most efficient at reducing Cd uptake by the plants. White lupin growth was better in amended soils than in unamended control. The above ground biomass increased with a factor 1.8 (soil amended with zeolite), 3.6 (soil amended with compost) and 3.1 (soil amended with Ca(OH)2) with respect to unamended soil. The roots biomass increased with a factor 1.4 (soil amended with zeolite), 5.6 (soil amended with compost) and 4.8 (soil amended with Ca(OH)2). Results obtained suggest that the soil chemical treatment improved the performance of crops by reducing bioavailability of metals in the soils. However it would be therefore interesting to find a suitable mixture of these amendments to contemporarily immobilize the three main pollutants in the polluted soils. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Coratina and Bosana VOOs have high phenolic content along the whole harvest period. • Tonda di Cagliari and Semidana VOOs have high nutraceutical content at first harvest. • Oleacein and oleocanthal increase during ripening only in Coratina variety. • OPLS shows with high accuracy changes in oleacein and ligstroside aglycon content. Fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and tocopherols of Coratina, Bosana, Semidana, and Tonda di Cagliari virgin olive oils, were measured over a 45-day harvest period. Phenolic composition was the primary factor distinguishing Bosana, Tonda di Cagliari, and Semidana, whereas fatty acids differentiated Coratina and the other cultivars. Harvest period principally influenced oleacein, oleocanthal, oleuropein and ligstroside aglycones, and flavonoids. High phenolic content was observed for Coratina (1039–688 mg/kg) and Bosana (788–592 mg/kg). A drastic decrease in phenolic content was observed in Semidana (529–134 mg/kg) and Tonda di Cagliari (507–142 mg/kg) during the harvest period. These two cultivars also had low MUFA/PUFA (6.0–4.0 and 4.9–3.2 respectively), suggesting that these varieties should be harvested earlier in the season. These results provide information to producers for improved management of the harvesting process, which is strongly affected by varietal factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virgin olive oil (VOO) provides an important source of healthy compounds. Its high concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids and phenolic compounds contribute toward its nutritional, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. VOO is used in the preparation of many dishes worldwide and forms a staple of the Mediterranean diet; however, the antimicrobial activity of VOO in food matrices has been investigated very little to date. Considering this and the growing demand to reduce the use of synthetic antimicrobials and chemical food preservatives, especially in minimally processed foods, the aim of this work was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of VOOs obtained from 13 different Italian olive varieties. All olive varieties were harvested and processed in the same area (Oristano, Sardinia, Italy). The in vitro antimicrobial activities of the resulting VOOs were tested against: Listeria monocytogenes DSM 20600, Staphylococcus aureus DSM 20231, Escherichia coli DSM 30083, Salmonella bongori DSM13772, Lacticaseibacillus casei Shirota, Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, Lacti caseibacillus casei RI4, and the yeast Candida albicans 3393. Orthogonal Projections to Latent Structures (OPLS) analysis showed a strong correlation between the content of certain phenolic compounds, the contact time of VOOs with the microbial cells, and the antimicrobial activity of the VOOs against the microorganisms tested. The VOOs showing the strongest antimicrobial activities (the Bosana and Sivigliana varieties) were then re-tested against L. monocytogenes DSM 20600 and S. bongori DSM 13772 in artificially contaminated commercial quick salad bags (QSB) of baby green leaf lettuces. The results show that antimicrobial activities of VOO depend on the target microbial species and the concentration of the inoculum. This study provides evidence supporting that VOOs with determinate polyphenols profiles might be used as antimicrobial ingredients in minimally processed foods to significantly reduce the presence of pathogenic bacteria. • Virgin Olive Oils (VOOs) show strong antimicrobial activity in vitro against pathogenic bacteria. • The antimicrobial activity of VOOs against pro-technological bacteria is less pronounced. • Phenolic composition of VOOs contributes toward determining their antimicrobial activity against specific target pathogens. • VOO could exert antimicrobial activity when added to QBS as dressings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate the extent to which Environmental Sensitivity (ES), as captured by the Highly Sensitive Person, 12-item scale (HSP-12), is distinguishable from traditional personality traits, contributes to psychological adjustment over and above personality, and if this contribution depends on the rearing environment. We also explored the HSP-12 psychometric properties and invariance across countries (UK and Italy) and samples (university and general population). Across multiple adult samples (N = 4459), we provided evidence that ES can be reliably assessed with the HSP-12 across countries and groups. We also showed that ES is distinguishable from established personality traits and is associated with lower well-being and negative affect, beyond personality. An environment perceived as caring played a buffering role. • Environmental Sensitivity (ES) can be reliably assessed with the HSP-12 scale. • ES is distinguishable from traditional personality traits. • ES predicts psychological adjustment over and above personality. • Positive rearing environments buffer the ES association with anxiety and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the expansion of olive oil cultivation around the world and the increasing effects of climate change, Olea europaea (L:) cultivation must deal with ever higher temperatures and drought conditions, with productivity and virgin olive oil (VOO) quality issues. At the same time the demand for premium quality products with high nutraceutical value, chemical and organoleptic characteristics related to specific areas of cultivation is steadily rising. Within this framework a deep knowledge of the olive variety with regards to environment interaction is necessary to achieve VOO production and qualitative standards required by the market. Rainfed adult olives (cv Bosana) cultivated in five typical areas of north and central Sardinia (Italy) were the subject of a three-year study, with the aim to investigate the influence of pedoclimatic variability on olive and olive oil characteristics. Physical and chemical attributes of fruits (morphometric features, firmness, pH, titratable acidity, sugar content, moisture, and oil yield) and VOO (fatty acid and sensory profile) were analysed at harvest and related to monthly weather data (precipitation, maximum, average, and minimum temperatures) of the whole fruit development period and soil composition. Monthly maximum temperatures were the most relevant variables. However, the role of each meteorologic variable was specific per olive and olive oil parameters and their relevance varied according to the period of the season. An emblematic example is that the maximum temperatures during summer months reduced oil yield and improved oleic acid concentration, but during the following months, the same variable exerted an opposite effect. This suggests the presence of a maximum temperature threshold in the olive fruits, for lipogenesis processes. Meteoclimatic conditions during maturation were the principal element responsible for VOO sensory profile: high precipitation and low thermal amplitude promoted an attribute's intensities. • Each meteorological variable affected specifically each olive and oil parameter. • Soil variables play a secondary role on determining olive and oil composition. • High summer maximum temperatures reduce oil yield but increase oleic acid fraction. • Intensity of virgin olive oil sensory attributes was promoted by autumn rainfall. • Firmness and acidity were the most sensitive fruit parameters to weather variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]