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The aim of this work was to study the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, as well as the potential activity of two bioprotective cultures (Lyocarni BOX-74 and Lyocarni BOX-57), versus a mix of three L. monocytogenes strains that were intentionally inoculated in cooked cubed ham, packaged in Modified Atmosphere Packaging and stored at different temperatures. The bioprotective cultures limit L. monocytogenes growth in cubed cooked ham stored either at 4 °C for 60 days and at 4 °C for 20 days and at 8 °C for 40 days. The inhibition at 8 °C is particularly useful for industrial cooked meat products, considering there are often thermal abuse conditions (8 °C) in the supermarkets. Both the starters can eliminate L. monocytogenes risk and maintain the products safe, despite the thermal abuse conditions. In addition, both culture starters grew without producing perceptible sensory variations in the samples, as demonstrated by the panel of the untrained tasters. The bioprotective LAB produced neither off-odours and off-flavours, nor white/viscous patinas, slime, discoloration or browning. Therefore, according to the obtained data, and despite the fact that cooked cubed ham did not show pH ≤ 4.4 or aw ≤ 0.92, or pH ≤ 5.0 and aw ≤ 0.94, as cited in the EC Regulation 2073/2005. It can be scientifically stated that cubes of cooked ham with the addition of bioprotective starters cultures do not constitute a favourable substrate for L. monocytogenes growth. Consequently, these products can easily fall into category 1.3 (ready-to-eat foods that are not favourable to L. monocytogenes growth, other than those for infants and for special medical purposes), in which a maximum concentration of L. monocytogenes of 100 CFU g−1 is allowed.

Abstract Cheirodon interruptus is a ubiquitous small characid that inhabits the Pampean region and commonly used as bait. Its vast market is supplied from the wild population causing a significant environmental impact. In this study, we assess the effect of photoperiod on ovarian maturation in order to evaluate its potential as a tool to manipulate reproduction under artificial conditions. Four treatments in triplicate (light: dark, L: D) were tested: 24L: 0D, 12L: 12D, 0L: 24D and a progressive photoperiod corresponding to the daily photoperiod increments in wild during winter-spring transition, accelerated three times. The experiment was conducted for 45 days. Gonadosomatic index (GSI), oocyte mean diameter, vitellogenic oocyte proportions, plasma estradiol concentrations (E2), condition factor (Kn) and standard length were estimated. Values of mean GSI, oocyte diameter, vitellogenic oocyte proportions and E2 concentration were maximum in the progressive treatment indicating vitellogenesis stimulation. In turn the same parameters were minimum in the 24L: 0D, revealing the vitellogenesis inhibition. This study showed that photoperiodic regime play an important role in the onset of ovarian maturation in C. interruptus.

Resumen Objetivo: Examinar desde la perspectiva de los profesionales, la ejecución de la política de medicamentos antineoplásicos de un Servicio Público de Oncología de Rosario. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo retrospectivo utilizando entrevistas semiestructuradas a informantes clave del Servicio. Período: Enero-junio 2012. Ejes perseguidos: (a) conocimiento de programas de medicamentos oncológicos; (b)marco regulatorio; (c)financiamiento; (d)herramientas de selección/prescripción/administración de oncológicos; (e)innovaciones medicamentosas y uso off-label; (f)trabajo en equipo; (g)ámbito de trabajo. Resultados: Respuestas generalmente derivadas hacia el campo clínico. Afirmaron conocer el Programa Nacional de Cáncer pero se visualizó alejado del nivel micro. Se reconocieron con mayor claridad reglamentaciones vinculadas al desempeño dentro del servicio. En el financiamiento se distinguieron problemáticas de jurisdicción. Se refirieron a Guías internacionales de Práctica Clínica, jerarquizaron la necesidad de consenso dentro del equipo. Observaron con cautela al ente regulador. Afirmaron recibir información actualizada sobre oncológicos, pero dudaron al definir off-label. El equipo de trabajo se contextualizó dentro de la Red de Salud Pública Municipal. Conclusiones: Desde la perspectiva de los profesionales de salud el Programa Nacional se encuadró dentro de un escenario complejo, con fortalezas y limitaciones. El abordaje cualitativo da visibilidad a aspectos que podrán complementar otros estudios.

The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial and physico-chemical characteristics of cold smoked sea bass (CSSB), a novel italian fish product. The microbiological analyses showed the presence of bacterial contamination from the raw material, the environment, and the production process. The microbial spoilage population was dominated by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) associated with Gram-negative fermenting bacteria, including Photobacterium phosphoreum and psychrotrophic Enterobacteriaceae. Brochotrix thermospacta and Aeromonas spp. were also present; in contrast, mould and yeast were not detected (<2 CFU/g). High levels (6–7 log CFU/g) of LAB and total bacteria count (TBC) were observed from day 45 of storage; however, their presence does not seem to have influenced the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), which always remained below 35 mg N/100 g. Consequently, the product is acceptable until day 60 of storage, considering that the malonaldehyde index (TBARS) was lower than 6.5 nmol/g. Pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected. Currently, there is a growing demand for seafood due to its high quality and nutritional value. Cold smoked sea bass offers a source of macro- and micronutrients essential for the proper functioning of the human body. It is also rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The WHO and FAO evaluated the benefits and risks and concluded that there is convincing evidence of health benefits from fish consumption, such as a reduction in the risk of heart failure and improved neurodevelopment in infants and young children when fish is consumed by the mother before and during pregnancy. The CSSB analysed in this study demonstrated to have health benefits due to long-chain omega-3 PUFAs and other nutrients, such as proteins, minerals, and vitamin D, which are sometimes difficult to obtain from other sources. The results show that CSSB has a high nutritional value and excellent microbial quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The participation of health professionals in designing interventions is considered vital to effective implementation, yet in areas such as clinical coordination is rarely promoted and evaluated. This study, part of Equity-LA II, aims to analyse the design process of interventions to improve clinical coordination, taking a participatory-action-research (PAR) approach, in healthcare networks of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay. This participatory process was planned in four phases, led by a local steering committee (LSC): (1) dissemination of problem analysis results and creation of professionals' platform, (2) selection of problems and intervention (3) intervention design and planning (4) adjustments after evaluation of first implementation stage. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study based on documentary analysis, using a topic guide, was conducted in each intervention network. Documents produced regarding the intervention design process were selected. Thematic content analysis was conducted, generating mixed categories taken from the topic guide and identified from data. Main categories were LSC characteristics, type of design process (phases, participants' roles, methods) and associated difficulties, coordination problems and interventions selected. Results: LSCs of similar composition (managers, professionals and researchers) were established, with increasing membership in Chile and high turnover in Argentina, Colombia and Mexico. Following results dissemination and selection of problems and interventions (more participatory in Chile and Colombia: 200–479 participants), the interventions were designed and planned, resulting in three different types of processes: (1) short initial design with adjustments after first implementation stage, in Colombia, Brazil and Mexico; (2) longer, more participatory process, with multiple cycles of action/reflection and pilot tests, in Chile; (3) open-ended design for ongoing adaptation, in Argentina and Uruguay. Professionals' time and the political cycle were the main barriers to participation. The clinical coordination problem selected was limited communication between primary and secondary care doctors. To address it, through discussions guided by context and feasibility criteria, interventions based on mutual feedback were selected. Conclusions: As expected in a flexible PAR process, its rollout differed across countries in participation and PAR cycles. Results show that PAR can help to design interventions adapted to context and offers lessons that can be applied in other contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand what makes some species successful invaders, it is critical to quantify performance differences between native and introduced regions, and among populations occupying a broad range of environmental conditions within each region. However, these data are not available even for the world’s most notorious invasive species. Here we introduce the Global Garlic Mustard Field Survey, a coordinated distributed field survey to collect performance data and germplasm from a single invasive species: garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) across its entire distribution using minimal resources. We chose this species for its ecological impacts, prominence in ecological studies of invasion success, simple life history, and several genetic and life history attributes that make it amenable to experimental study. We developed a standardised field survey protocol to estimate population size (area) and density, age structure, plant size and fecundity, as well as damage by herbivores and pathogens in each population, and to collect representative seed samples. Across four years and with contributions from 164 academic and non-academic participants from 16 countries in North America and Europe thus far, we have collected 45,788 measurements and counts of 137,811 plants from 383 populations and seeds from over 5,000 plants. All field data and seed resources will be curated for release to the scientific community. Our goal is to establish A. petiolata as a model species for plant invasion biology and to encourage large collaborative studies of other invasive species.

The success of invasive species has been explained by two contrasting but non-exclusive views: (i) intrinsic factors make some species inherently good invaders; (ii) species become invasive as a result of extrinsic ecological and genetic influences such as release from natural enemies, hybridization or other novel ecological and evolutionary interactions. These viewpoints are rarely distinguished but hinge on distinct mechanisms leading to different management scenarios. To improve tests of these hypotheses of invasion success we introduce a simple mathematical framework to quantify the invasiveness of species along two axes: (i) interspecific differences in performance among native and introduced species within a region, and (ii) intraspecific differences between populations of a species in its native and introduced ranges. Applying these equations to a sample dataset of occurrences of 1,416 plant species across Europe, Argentina, and South Africa, we found that many species are common in their native range but become rare following introduction; only a few introduced species become more common. Biogeographical factors limiting spread (e.g. biotic resistance, time of invasion) therefore appear more common than those promoting invasion (e.g. enemy release). Invasiveness, as measured by occurrence data, is better explained by inter-specific variation in invasion potential than biogeographical changes in performance. We discuss how applying these comparisons to more detailed performance data would improve hypothesis testing in invasion biology and potentially lead to more efficient management strategies.

Los medicamentos colaboraron en cimentar mayor salud, sin embargo son generadores de problemas que surgen de no atender adecuadamente la complejidad farmacoterapéutica. En este sentido, resulta propicio incorporar el concepto de Atención Farmacéutica (AF) para repensar la actuación de los farmacéuticos. La implementación de AF muestra un impacto positivo en resultados clínicos, humanísticos y económicos, pero se reconocen barreras para su implementación. El sistema de salud argentino es fragmentado y los servicios farmacéuticos se encuentran incluidos en esta lógica. En este contexto, la Universidad y el Colegio de Farmacéuticos observan la necesidad de conformar espacios de AF. El objetivo de esta comunicación es presentar la génesis de la Unidad de Optimización de la Farmacoterapia (UOF) como un servicio a la población en la ciudad de Rosario, Argentina. La UOF integra actividades de asistencia, docencia e investigación e intenta promover aproximación entre la Universidad Pública y la comunidad en relación a la problemática de utilización de medicamentos. Funciona desde abril de 2012 y se entiende como alternativa de inclusión social, disponible gratuitamente, con criterios bioéticos que alcancen tanto a la relación profesional-paciente, al diseño de políticas de medicamentos como a la evaluación económica y desarrollo de herramientas metodológicas y tecnológicas.

Understanding the transport mechanisms and properties of complex networks is fundamental for the comprehension of a vast class of phenomena, from state transfer on a spin network to light-harvesting in photosynthetic complexes. It has been theoretically and experimentally demonstrated that noise can enhance transport when the system parameters are properly tuned, an effect known as noise-assisted transport (NAT). In this work we investigate the role of initial entanglement in the transfer efficiency of two walkers in a noisy network. By using the formalism of quantum walks, we define a range of small dephasing noise where initial site-entanglement provides transport enhancement and outperforms the NAT effect. Furthermore, we show two specific scenarios where entanglement-assisted transport can open faster channels for slow walkers and avoid a broken link in a communication line. These findings may be of potential interest for quantum technologies.