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The effects of elevated CO2 were investigated on seven Scandinavian varieties of oat. Three landraces (before 1920), two varieties of intermediate-age (1920-1940), and two recent varieties (after 1940) were exposed to two atmospheric CO2 concentrations (approx. 380 and 700 ppm). Elevated CO2 increased the yield 7% on average but with large variation between varieties. The yield-response was variety specific and not related to the age of the variety. The mean seed number increased about 11%, with an increase in the landraces and diverging responses within the other age groups. The mean seed weight was reduced about 5.5%, with small changes within the landraces and diverging results within the two other age-groups. The mean dry biomass was increased about 20%; the landraces had a marked increase in dry biomass, while the response in the other varieties ranged from a large increase to a small decrease. These different responses among varieties provide a spectrum of trait-combinations desirable in breeding oats for different purposes. The quality of the seeds was not affected by the elevated CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical and sensory characteristic of pork sausages produced from enzymatic interesterified blends of lard and rapeseed oil during storage were evaluated. All three enzymatic interesterified blends (IE90, IE70 and IE50) had ratios of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids within the range of 1.47-2.84 which is favourable for cardiovascular disease risk reduction. Blends of IE90 and IE70 were found to have suitable solid fat content, melting and crystallization profile suitable for sausages production. Sausages were produced from blends of IE90 and IE70 with different muscle types (musculus longissimus dorsi and musculus sternomandibularis) and processing conditions such as cooling rates and final processing temperature. Cooling rate was found to have no significant (P>0.05) effect on hardness of the sausages throughout storage. Both musculus longissimus dorsi and high final processing temperature of 20 degrees C increased the hardness of the sausages during storage. In terms of fat particle size distribution, it was found that sausages IE70 had significantly (P<0.05) lower amount of small fat particles (<4 microm) and higher amount of big fat particles (4-500 microm). This is in agreement with the findings on softer texture of sausages IE70. All the sausages produced from interesterified blends of lard and rapeseed oil had no apparent fat excretion and were rated as having acceptable sensory attributes as compared to reference sausage which was produced from pure lard., (Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Waste-Sorting Plant (WSP) workers are exposed to bioaerosols containing a large variety of bacterial and fungal species, posing a critical health risk that needs to be assessed and mitigated. The present study aimed to evaluate the indoor air quality in a Portuguese WSP and the air decontamination efficiency with UV-C. The concentrations of bacteria and fungi and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), CO2, relative humidity, and temperature were determined at different hours in manual sorting areas (cabin and ramp) in autumn and winter in 2022 and in administrative offices and canteen in the autumn of 2023. The PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in the air increased with the daily waste-sorting activities, especially inside the cabin, averaging 22 and 42 μg/m3, respectively, while the CO2 concentration was in the range of 343–578 ppm in both sampling sites. The bacterial species were mainly environmental (mesophilic bacteria) rather than human sources. In the waste-sorting areas, the concentration of bacteria was often found to exceed outdoor values by more than 1000 CFU/m3 on average. Additionally, the concentration of fungi indoors was consistently higher than outdoor values, in many cases exceeding 500 CFU/m3. These findings suggest that workers in these areas are frequently exposed to high levels of microbes. The indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) contamination ratios revealed that the air quality inside the administrative offices and the canteen had high pollutant concentrations during some time periods. The worst scenarios were observed in the canteen and offices with high occupancy in the afternoon. UV-C lamps at 253.7 nm and with 5.0 W irradiation power were used in the sorting cabin to test the indoor air and surface decontamination, and the results showed a high bacterial removal efficacy of over 87.6% after one hour of exposure to UV-C. The present study raises the question of whether 37 °C is the optimal incubation temperature for WSP samples since the microorganisms' habitat before the sampling had a much lower temperature. As the waste-sorting industry expands, these findings show that the air quality of WSPs remains concerning and requires a holistic approach, integrating the working conditions of all personnel and the implementation and monitoring of mitigation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out in a waste sorting plant (WSP) located in France, treating dry recyclable household waste (DRHW) as well as dry recyclable commercial and industrial waste (DRCIW). Stationary and personal inhalable samples were collected in the WSP in order to investigate bioaerosols (sampling on a filter; 2 L/min and 10 L/min) and airborne dust (CIP; 10 L/min). The aim of the study was to assess the extent to which the measurement of concentration, species composition, and particle size distribution contributes to a better assessment of the biological risks associated with exposure. The results confirmed that waste and waste sorting activities are sources of airborne fungi. Indeed, ambient concentrations ranged from 7.3 × 103 to 8.5 × 105 colony-forming units (CFU)/m3 for culturable fungi and up to 4 mg/m3 for dust. Personal exposure to inhalable dust was found up to 3 mg/m3 for dust and ranged from 8.6 × 103 to 1.5 × 106 CFU/m3 for fungi. Airborne fungal communities were found to be dominated by the Penicillium genera in both bioaerosols and settled dust samples, followed by the Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Wallemia, Mucor, and Rhizopus genera. Fungi were carried by particles of aerodynamic diameters, mainly between around 2.0 and 10.0 µm. The findings dealing with size distribution and biodiversity of bioaerosols suggest that employees are exposed to complex bioaerosols during their work and help to make a finer diagnosis of the risks involved, which is often difficult in the absence of any occupational exposure limit (OEL) value for bioaerosols in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oats are known for their nutritional value and also for their beneficial properties on human health, such as the reduction of cholesterol levels and risk of coronary heart disease; they are an important export product for Chile. During the last decade (2010-2022) over 90% of the oat cultivated area in Chile has been covered with Avena sativa L. cv. Supernova INIA. This lack of genetic diversity in a context of climate change could limit the long-term possibility of growing oats in Chile. The present study is a phenotypic and genetic analysis of 132 oat cultivars and pure lines of diverse origin that can be considered as potential breeding material. The germplasm was evaluated for 28 traits and analyzed with 14 SSR markers. The effects of genotypes on phenotype were significant over all traits (P ≤ 0.05). Most traits exhibited moderate to high broad-sense heritability with exceptions such as yield (H2 = 0.27) and hulls staining (H2 = 0.32). Significant undesirable correlations between traits were generally of small biological importance, which is auspicious for achieving breeding objectives. Some of the heritability data and correlations provided here have not been previously reported. The overall phenotypic diversity was high (H’ = 0.68 ± 0.18). The germplasm was grouped into three phenotypic clusters, differing in their qualities for breeding. Twenty-six genotypes outperforming Supernova INIA were identified for breeding of conventional food-oats. The genetic diversity of the germplasm was moderate on average (He = 0.58 ± 0.03), varying between 0.32 (AM22) and 0.77 (AME178). Two genetic subpopulations supported by the Structure algorithm exhibited a genetic distance of 0.24, showing low divergence of the germplasm. The diversity and phenotypic values found in this collection of oat genotypes are promising with respect to obtaining genetic gain in the short term in breeding programs. However, the similar genetic diversity, higher phenotypic diversity, and better phenotypic performance of the germplasm created in Chile compared to foreign germplasm suggest that germplasm harboring new genetic diversity will be key to favor yield and quality in new oat cultivars in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impalas are unusual among bovids because they have remained morphologically similar over millions of years-a phenomenon referred to as evolutionary stasis. Here, we sequenced 119 whole genomes from the two extant subspecies of impala, the common (Aepyceros melampus melampus) and black-faced (A. m. petersi) impala. We investigated the evolutionary forces working within the species to explore how they might be associated with its evolutionary stasis as a taxon. Despite being one of the most abundant bovid species, we found low genetic diversity overall, and a phylogeographic signal of spatial expansion from southern to eastern Africa. Contrary to expectations under a scenario of evolutionary stasis, we found pronounced genetic structure between and within the two subspecies with indications of ancient, but not recent, gene flow. Black-faced impala and eastern African common impala populations had more runs of homozygosity than common impala in southern Africa, and, using a proxy for genetic load, we found that natural selection is working less efficiently in these populations compared to the southern African populations. Together with the fossil record, our results are consistent with a fixed-optimum model of evolutionary stasis, in which impalas in the southern African core of the range are able to stay near their evolutionary fitness optimum as a generalist ecotone species, whereas eastern African impalas may struggle to do so due to the effects of genetic drift and reduced adaptation to the local habitat, leading to recurrent local extinction in eastern Africa and re-colonisation from the South., (© 2024 The Author(s). Molecular Ecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Pigs are known as the main Campylobacter coli reservoirs. Campylobacteriosis, the most commonly reported gastrointestinal disease in humans, is mainly caused by the consumption of poultry meat, and little is known about the role of pork. Pigs are often associated with C. coli, including antimicrobial-resistant isolates. Therefore, the entire pork production chain must be considered as an important source of antimicrobial-resistant C. coli. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter spp. isolated from caecal samples of fattening pigs at the Estonian slaughterhouse level over a five-year period. The proportion of Campylobacter-positive caecal samples was 52%. All Campylobacter isolates were identified as C. coli. A high proportion of the isolates were resistant to most of the studied antimicrobials. The resistance to streptomycin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid was 74.8%, 54.4%, 34.4% and 31.9%, respectively. In addition, a high proportion (15.1%) of the isolates were multidrug-resistant and, in total, 93.3% were resistant to at least one antimicrobial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campylobacter spp. is recognized as one of the most common pathogens involved in the development of gastrointestinal infections in humans. The current study aimed to enhance the knowledge on the occurrence and molecular characterization of Campylobacter spp. in pigs and cattle origin caecum samples (n = 56) collected in one year, from nine Romanian slaughterhouses, and to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of the isolated strains. All Campylobacter spp. strains (n = 41) isolated from swine and cattle caecum samples were analyzed in terms of antimicrobial resistance, in accordance with the EURL protocol and with the Commission Implementing Decision No. 2020/1729. The prevalence rate for C. coli. in pig caecum samples was 92.3% (36/39), and the prevalence of C. jejuni, in cattle origin samples was 29.4% (5/17). C. coli strains isolated from pigs proved resistant to tetracycline 75% (27/36), ciprofloxacin 69.4% (25/36), erythromycin 8.3% (3/36), ertapenem 2.8% (1/36) and gentamicin 2.8% (1/36), but no resistance was observed towards chloramphenicol. C. jejuni strains originating from cattle expressed resistance to ciprofloxacin 60.0% (3/5) and tetracycline 20.0% (1/5), but they were susceptible to chloramphenicol, erythromycin, ertapenem and gentamicin. In the present study, 19.5% (7/36) C. coli strains isolated from pigs were identified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. The obtained results demonstrated that pigs especially, but cattle to, can be considered important natural reservoirs for zoonotic multidrug-resistant Campylobacter strains, having a stimulating effect for further studies aiming at the molecular screening of the genotypic antimicrobial resistance processing of a higher number of samples., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

A symbiotic or mixed animal husbandry (e.g., pigs and chickens) is considered to have a positive effect for animal welfare and sustainable agriculture. On the other hand, a risk of infection and transmission of microorganisms, especially of zoonotic pathogens, between animal species may potentially occur and thus might increase the risk of foodborne illnesses for consumers. To prove these assumptions, two groups of animals and their environmental (soil) samples were investigated in this study. Animals were kept in a free-range system. In the first group, pigs and chickens were reared together (pasture 1), while the other group contained only pigs (pasture 2). During a one-year study, fecal swab samples of 240 pigs and 120 chickens, as well as 120 ground samples, were investigated for the presence of Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp. and E. coli. Altogether, 438 E. coli and 201 Campylobacter spp. strains were isolated and identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Salmonella spp. was not isolated from any of the sample types. The prevalences of Campylobacter coli and C. jejuni in pigs were 26.7% and 3.3% in pasture 1 and 30.0% and 6.7% in pasture 2, while the prevalences of C. coli and C. jejuni in chickens from pasture 1 were 9.2% and 78.3%, respectively. No correlation between the rearing type (mixed vs. pigs alone) and the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was observed. All swab samples were positive for E. coli, while the average prevalences in soil samples were 78.3% and 51.7% in pasture 1 and 2, respectively. Results of similarity analysis of the MALDI-TOF MS spectra (for C. coli, C. jejuni and E. coli) and FT-IR spectra (for E. coli) of the same bacterial species showed no recognizable correlations, no matter if strains were isolated from chickens, pig or soil samples or isolated at different sampling periods. The results of the study indicate that the symbiotic husbandry of pigs and chickens neither results in an increased risk of a transmission of Campylobacter spp. or E. coli, nor in a risk of bacterial alteration, as shown by MALDI-TOF MS and FT-IR spectra. In conclusion, the benefits of keeping pigs and chickens together are not diminished by the possible transmission of pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited information is available on the enrichment of omega-3 fatty acids and their stability in poultry products during their processing and preservation. Keeping this on view, the present study was undertaken to develop chicken meat sausages enriched with omega-3 fatty acids by incorporation of flax seed oil at different levels. Methods: The present investigation on standardization of the different levels of flax seed oil (2, 4 and 6%) on various physico-chemical, proximate, omega-3-fatty acid profile and sensory scores of functional chicken meat sausages was investigated. The developed functional chicken meat sausages were analyzed for various quality characteristics like physico-chemical (cooking yield, emulsion stability, water holding capacity, pH and hardness and proximate composition, omega-3-fatty acid profile and sensory evaluation. Result: Chicken meat sausages added with 6% flax seed oil (T3) had significantly (P<0.05) higher cooking yield, emulsion stability, water holding capacity, protein and fat than control and remaining formulations. In the same line, chicken meat sausages added with 6% flax seed oil (T3) had lower SFA values and higher MUFA values, n-6 PUFA and n-3 PUFA values, n6 PUFA/n3 PUFA ratio and PUFA/SFA ratio and superior sensory scores than control and other formulations. The addition of flax seed oil to chicken meat sausages improved the healthy fatty acid profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During crop domestication and breeding, wild plant species have been shaped into modern high-yield crops and adapted to the main agro-ecological regions. However, climate change will impact crop productivity in these regions, and agriculture needs to adapt to support future food production. On a global scale, crop wild relatives grow in more diverse environments than crop species, and so may host genes that could support the adaptation of crops to new and variable environments. Through identification of individuals with increased climate resilience we may gain a greater understanding of the genomic basis for this resilience and transfer this to crops. Pangenome analysis can help to identify the genes underlying stress responses in individuals harbouring untapped genomic diversity in crop wild relatives. The information gained from the analysis of these pangenomes can then be applied towards breeding climate resilience into existing crops or to re-domesticating crops, combining environmental adaptation traits with crop productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particulate matter (PM) represents an air quality management challenge for confined swine production systems. Due to the limited space and ventilation rate, PM can reach relatively high concentrations in swine barns. PM in swine barns possesses different physical, chemical, and biological characteristics than that in the atmosphere and other indoor environments. As a result, it exerts different environmental and health effects and creates some unique challenges regarding PM measurement and mitigation. Numerous research efforts have been made, generating massive data and information. However, relevant review reports are sporadic. This study aims to provide an updated comprehensive review of swine barn PM, focusing on publications since 1990. It covers various topics including PM characteristics, sources, measurement methods, and in-barn mitigation technologies. As PM in swine barns is primarily of biological origins, bioaerosols are reviewed in great detail. Relevant topics include bacterial/fungal counts, viruses, microbial community composition, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, antibiotic resistance genes, endotoxins, and (1→3)-β-D-glucans. For each topic, existing knowledge is summarized and discussed and knowledge gaps are identified. Overall, PM in swine barns is complicated in chemical and biological composition and highly variable in mass concentrations, size, and microbial abundance. Feed, feces, and skins constitute the major PM sources. Regarding in-barn PM mitigation, four technologies (oil/water sprinkling, ionization, alternation of feed and feeders, and recirculating air filtration) are dominant. However, none of them have been widely used in commercial barns. A collective discussion of major knowledge gaps and future research needs is offered at the end of the report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amaranth and quinoa are classed as pseudocereals that do not belong to the grass family, meaning they are not technically a grain. Both of them are seeds with tremendous nutritional value; compared to other cereals, they contain much more fat. The aim of the study was to present the parameters characterizing thermal properties of amaranth and quinoa oils, such as: oxidation induction time, oxidation kinetic parameters, and melting profile. In isolated oils, the peroxide value, oxidative stability by the Rancimat test (in 120 °C) and the pressure differential scanning calorimetry (PDSC) method (at 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 °C), fatty acids composition, and their distribution between the triacylglycerol positions were determined. The kinetic parameters of the oxidation process (activation energy, pre-exponential factor, and reaction rate constants) were calculated using the Ozawa–Flynn–Wall method and the Arrhenius equation. To measure the melting profile, the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method was used. Both types of seeds are a good source of unsaturated fatty acids. Induction time of oxidation suggests that amaranth oil may have better resistance to oxidation than quinoa oil. The melting characteristics of the oils show the presence of low-melting triacylglycerol fractions, mainly containing unsaturated fatty acids, which means that a small amount of energy is required to melt the fats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports on the concentrations of airborne fungi in a waste paper and cardboard recycling factory (WPCRF) in Tehran, Iran. Sampling occurred every six days during winter at nine locations. The following order was observed in all processing units: Penicillium sp. (92 ± 6 CFU m−3) > Cladosporium sp. (74 ± 7 CFU m−3) > Aspergillus niger (19 ± 9 CFU m−3). In the processing units, the lifetime average daily dose ranged from 1.49 × 10−3 to 7.8 CFU (kg.d)−1 for the inhalation route and from 2.74 × 10−6 to 6.29 × 10−6 CFU (kg.d)−1 for the dermal route. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Campylobacter spp. (Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni) is a concern due to its importance in public health, particularly when it involves aminoglycosides and macrolides, drugs of choice for treatment of human cases. Co-resistance to these two antimicrobial classes involves transfer of genetic elements and/or acquisition of mutations in different genetic loci, which can in turn spread through vertical or horizontal gene transfer (HGT) phenomena, with each route having different potential implications. This study aimed at evaluating the association between the presence of phenotypic resistance to these two antimicrobial classes in C. coli and C. jejuni recovered from livestock at slaughterhouses in Spain (as part of the AMR surveillance program), and at assessing the genetic heterogeneity between resistant and susceptible isolates by analysing the "short variable region" (SVR) of the flaA gene. Over the 2002–2018 period, antimicrobial susceptibility test results from 10,965 Campylobacter isolates retrieved from fecal samples of broilers, turkeys, pigs and cattle were collected to compare the proportion of resistant isolates and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) against six antimicrobials including gentamicin (GEN), streptomycin (STR), and erythromycin (ERY). AMR-associated genes were determined for a group of 51 isolates subjected to whole genome sequencing, and the flaA SVR of a subset of 168 isolates from all hosts with different resistotypes was used to build a Neighbor-Joining-based phylogenetic tree and assess the existence of groups by means of "relative synonymous codon usage" (RSCU) analysis. The proportion of antimicrobial resistant isolates to both, aminoglycosides and macrolides, varied widely for C. coli (7–91%) and less for C. jejuni (all hosts 0–11%). Across hosts, these proportions were 7–56% in poultry, 12–82% in cattle, and 22–91% in pigs for C. coli and 0–8% in poultry and 1–11% in cattle for C. jejuni. Comparison of the MIC distributions revealed significant host-specific differences only for ERY in C. jejuni (p = 0.032). A significant association in the simultaneous presentation of AMR to both antimicrobial classes was observed across hosts/bacterial species. The flaA gene analysis showed clustering of isolates sharing resistotype and to a lesser degree bacterial species and host. Several resistance markers associated with resistance to aminoglycosides and macrolides were found among the sequenced isolates. The consistent association between the simultaneous presentation of AMR to aminoglycosides and macrolides in all hosts could be due to the persistence of strains and/or resistance mechanisms in Campylobacter populations in livestock over time. Further studies based on whole genome sequencing are needed to assess the epidemiological links between hosts and bacterial strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymatic interesterification gives the possibility to obtain a wide range of lipids with a modified structure. In the present study, model meat batters were produced from chicken breast muscles and enzymatically interesterified fats: milkfat:rapeseed oil (3:2 w/w). Fatty acids composition and their positional distribution in triacylglycerol, melting profile and oxidative stability have been determined in fats used for interesterification, after interesterification and extracted from meat batters. In meat batters, the physiochemical parameters were determined. Interesterified fats were characterized by significantly lower induction times than noninteresterified fat (85.29 and 18.21 min, respectively). Meat batters were also characterized by a lower oxidative stability of lipid fraction (24.90 and 13.67 min) than lipids used to their production. A higher content of unsaturated fatty acids was found in meat batters with noninteresterified and interesterified fats (69.40% and 70.03%, respectively) than in the control meat batter with a pork jowl (58.63%). In comparison to the control product, meat batter prepared with interesterified mixture was characterized by significantly lower apparent viscosity. In the analyzed meat batters, there were no differences in thermal drip and penetration force. The incorporation of interesterified milkfat with rapeseed oil in model meat batters can be a strategy to improve the nutritional quality without adversely affecting the quality characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Bioinformatics is the property of Bioinformatics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Zemdirbyste-Agriculture is the property of Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture & Forestry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hybridisation caused by anthropogenic movements of animals is a conservation concern. Black-faced impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi) are endemic to north-western Namibia and south-western Angola and are geographically isolated from common impala (A. m. melampus). Common impala have been translocated into the black-faced impala range creating a hybridisation risk. We validated 13 microsatellite markers for the detection of recent hybridisation events. We used these markers to assess the genetic variation and differentiation among impala within Etosha National Park (NP), Southern Cross Private Game Reserve (SCPGR), Namibia, and private game ranches across South Africa. We confirmed that "black-nosed" impala in South Africa were A. m. melampus, thus providing more evidence that the black blaze on the face cannot be used to distinguish between the two subspecies. We detected four hybrids and one common impala on SCPGR. These five individuals were removed from SCPGR at time of sampling. We found two potential hybrids in southern Etosha NP. Further sampling of animals within Etosha NP is recommended to determine the extent of hybridisation within the park. The Namibian Ministry of the Environment & Tourism is developing a management plan for black-faced impala across Namibia that includes genetic testing for hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many workers are exposed to health problems arising from molds, fungi, and their toxins during waste processing. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) level in airborne and settled dust, aflatoxin B1-albumin (AFB1-Alb) adduct in serum, liver and kidney biochemical tests, and body redox change of workers in municipal dry waste-processing sites were investigated. The surface, personal, and area air dust and the blood of workers' samples were collected from the plastic and bread waste-sorting sections in three recycling municipal dry waste sites. Digestion (only for serum samples), passed through SPE cartridge, elution, and collection with methanol, immune-affinity column clean-up, and HPLC system equipped with post-column derivatization method and fluorescence detection were performed for determination of AFB1 and AFB1-Alb levels in the samples. The mean level of dust and AFB1 in the personal and area air, and in the settled dust and the AFB1-Alb in the serum of workers in the bread waste sorting, was higher than plastic waste-sorting samples, in all of the sites. The differences in the biochemical profiles of subjects exposed to aflatoxin B1 as compared to the control group especially in liver and kidney function parameters as well as antioxidant factors of the serum were significant. The workers in handling of municipal waste may be exposed to potentially hazardous levels of aflatoxin B1. The adverse effects of AFB1 on the kidney and liver may be caused by changes in the redox system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Working as a refuse collector is a physically strenuous activity. The aim of the investigations in this work was to evaluate the fatigue and subjective complaints of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among refuse collectors. The study involved 27 employees; average age: 32.1 years (SD = 3.15), seniority: 2.67 years (SD = 1.56). To evaluate fatigue a modified 30-piece questionnaire with a Borg scale was used. MSDs were measured by the Nordic Standardized Questionnaire with the Borg scale. After work, the highest rates of fatigue were reported for the symptoms: "feel thirsty," "give a yawn," "want to lie down," "feel strained in the eyes," "feel a pain in the back," "become drowsy," "feel stiff in the shoulders," "feel heavy in the head" and "have a headache." There was a high intensity of MSDs reported for the body segments "shoulders/upper arms," "lower back," "upper back," "hips/upper legs," "head/neck," "elbows/forearms" and "wrists/hands." Complaints regarding limited mobility due to MSDs at work and outside of work have been observed for the "shoulders/upper arms," "lower back" and "upper back." Refuse collectors complained more about "drowsiness and dullness" than the "projection of physical impairment" and "difficulty in concentration." Discomfort occurred primarily in the upper segments of the body and made staff mobility difficult both at work and after work. The test results can be used in the prevention of fatigue and discomfort. It is recommended to conduct training on the correct ways of performing work and resting and the repair or replacement of faulty containers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of free‐ranging wildlife in the epidemiology of enteropathogens causing clinical illness in humans and domestic animals is unclear. Salmonella enterica and anti‐microbial resistant bacteria have been detected in the faeces of raccoons (Procyon lotor), but little is known about the carriage of these bacteria in other sympatric meso‐mammals. Our objectives were to: (a) report the prevalence of Salmonella and associated anti‐microbial resistance, Campylobacter spp, Clostridium difficile, and anti‐microbial resistant Escherichia coli in the faeces of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) in southern Ontario; and (b) compare the prevalence of these bacteria in the faeces of these meso‐mammal hosts with raccoons from a previously reported study. Faecal swabs were collected from striped skunks and Virginia opossums on five swine farms and five conservation areas from 2011 to 2013. Salmonella was detected in 41% (9/22) and 5% (5/95) of faecal swabs from Virginia opossums and striped skunks, respectively. None of the Salmonella serovars carried resistance to anti‐microbials. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp., C. difficile, and anti‐microbial resistant E. coli ranged from 6% to 22% in striped skunk and Virginia opossums. Using exact logistic regression, Salmonella was significantly more likely to be detected in faecal swabs of Virginia opossums than skunks and significantly less likely in faecal swabs from skunks than raccoons from a previously reported study. In addition, Campylobacter spp. was significantly more likely to be detected in raccoons than opossums. Salmonella Give was detected in 8/9 (89%) of Salmonella‐positive Virginia opossum faecal swabs. Our results suggest that striped skunks and Virginia opossums have the potential to carry pathogenic enteric bacteria in their faeces. The high prevalence of Salmonella Give in Virginia opossum faecal swabs in this study as well as its common occurrence in other Virginia opossum studies throughout North America suggests Virginia opossums may be reservoirs of this serovar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the study, lard, noninteresterified mixture of lard and rapeseed oil, and interesterified mixture of these fats were used in the production of meat batters. The quality (apparent viscosity, thermal drip, texture–penetration force, L*, a*, and b* color components) of model meat batters was determined. The researches also included an oxidative stability study of fat extracted from meat batters and fats used in their production process. Meat batters produced with noninteresterified fat or interesterified mixture of these fats were characterized by lower apparent viscosity (424 × 10−1 and 315 × 10−1 Pa s) and values of penetration force (6.1 and 5.3 N) in comparison with meat batter produced with lard (503 × 10−1 Pa s, 7.6 N, respectively). However, there was no significant influence of these fats addition on the thermal drip. Interesterification of lard and rapeseed oil mixtures can result in the production of a new fat with valuable functional properties. Interesterification caused a significant decrease in induction time (from 70.3 to 21.6 min) and onset oxidation temperatures (from 162–193.7 to 136–154°C) in obtained fat in each heating rate. Fats extracted from meat batters were characterized by lower onset oxidation temperatures (135.1–160°C for meat batters with noninteresterified fats and 132–152°C for batters with interesterified fats) and lower induction time (11.9 and 10.9 min) than fats used in meat batters. Oxidation parameters can help in the assessment of resistance of modified fat and meat batters to oxidative deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate factors that explain the spatial pattern of genetic diversity in three closely related species (Linaria glacialis, Linaria nevadensis and Chaenorhinum glareosum) endemic to a fragile high mountain ecosystem. Location: The alpine belt of Sierra Nevada, Spain. Methods: We analysed the spatial pattern of cpDNA diversity of the three species. To explain the distribution of genetic diversity, we investigated the effect of topographic features and the evolutionary history of the species (demography, habitat availability and colonization dynamics). Results: Genetic diversity was heterogeneous across the landscape. We found moderate positive correlation values between genetic diversity indices of the two Linaria species. We also observed moderate negative correlation values between genetic diversity indices of C. glareosum and those of L. glacialis and L. nevadensis. Topographic variables correlated positively with genetic diversity of the Linaria species and negatively with genetic diversity of C. glareosum. Bayesian skyline plots (BSPs) displayed a shared demographic pattern with a population size stabilization/increase since the LGM (the last 21 kyr) in all three species. Discrete phylogeographical analyses showed similar patterns of westward diffusion for L. nevadensis and C. glareosum. Species distribution models pointed to similar range dynamics in all three species, with a reduction in range size since the LGM. Main conclusions: Different dispersal abilities, demographic trends and colonization patterns can hardly explain the differences in spatial patterns of genetic diversity between the Linaria species and C. glareosum. In contrast, topographic features seem to be an important factor to explain the distribution of genetic diversity in the alpine belt of Sierra Nevada. We point to a relevant role of microniche partitioning in determining patterns of genetic diversity distribution in alpine Mediterranean ecosystems. Furthermore, we highlight the role of microhabitat heterogeneity in the maintenance of distinct lineages, species and genetic diversity in high mountain biodiversity hotspots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent outbreak of avian influenza in the poultry sector of Cameroon has raised a concern about the level of implementation of biosecurity measures (BM) on poultry farms. Therefore, a study using a questionnaire on 102 randomly selected poultry farms was undertaken. Some measures with high adoption levels (> 90%) included “protection of airing openings of poultry barns by a wire mesh,” “no external animal allowed to enter the farm,” “respect of all-in all-out principle,” “functional footbath,” “rodent control,” and “feedstuff protection from access to rodents.” The least implemented measures (less than 20%) were “wearing of dedicated clothing (clean coveralls and boots) by workers,” “disinfection of visitors,” and “presence of storage room for dead animals.” Only for “isolation” component of biosecurity, compliance with biosecurity measures was good, with more than 50% of farms having an adoption rate greater than 75%. The mean biosecurity score for the assessed farms was 19.29 ± 1.89 for a maximum score of 38 points. The score was significantly and positively correlated (p < 0.05) with the number of chicken and the geographic location of farms. The other results showed that the mean number of broiler per cycle was 550.82 ± 76 for a stocking density of 27.20 ± 6.64 birds per m2. In conclusion, broiler production in the Western highland is dominated by small-scale units with low level of biosecurity practices positively and significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by some production characteristics. To improve biosecurity practices in the area, efforts must focus on measures concerning “sanitation” and “traffic control” components of biosecurity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In a de novo genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) analysis of short, 64‐base tag‐level haplotypes in 4657 accessions of cultivated oat, we discovered 164741 tag‐level (TL) genetic variants containing 241224 SNPs. From this, the marker density of an oat consensus map was increased by the addition of more than 70000 loci. The mapped TL genotypes of a 635‐line diversity panel were used to infer chromosome‐level (CL) haplotype maps. These maps revealed differences in the number and size of haplotype blocks, as well as differences in haplotype diversity between chromosomes and subsets of the diversity panel. We then explored potential benefits of SNP vs. TL vs. CL GBS variants for mapping, high‐resolution genome analysis and genomic selection in oats. A combined genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of heading date from multiple locations using both TL haplotypes and individual SNP markers identified 184 significant associations. A comparative GWAS using TL haplotypes, CL haplotype blocks and their combinations demonstrated the superiority of using TL haplotype markers. Using a principal component‐based genome‐wide scan, genomic regions containing signatures of selection were identified. These regions may contain genes that are responsible for the local adaptation of oats to Northern American conditions. Genomic selection for heading date using TL haplotypes or SNP markers gave comparable and promising prediction accuracies of up to r = 0.74. Genomic selection carried out in an independent calibration and test population for heading date gave promising prediction accuracies that ranged between r = 0.42 and 0.67. In conclusion, TL haplotype GBS‐derived markers facilitate genome analysis and genomic selection in oat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi are amongst the bioaerosols of most importance, as indicated by the growing interest in this field of research. The aim was to characterize the exposure to fungal burden in podiatry clinics using culture-based and molecular methods. Methods: Airborne fungi were collected using an impaction air sampler and surface samples were also performed. Fourteen air samples were collected for direct detection of fungal DNA from filamentous fungi and dermatophytes. Overall, 63.6 % of the evening samples and 46 % of the morning samples surpassed the threshold values (150 CFU/m3). Molecular detection, by real time PCR, of the target fungal species/strains (Aspergillus and Stachybotrys species) was negative for all samples collected. Trichophyton rubrum was detected by PCR analysis in one DNA sample collected on day six. Results suggest the use of both culture-based and molecular methodologies are desirable for a complete evaluation of fungal burden in this particular health care setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraspecific variation in crop responses to global climate change conditions would provide opportunities to adapt crops to future climates. These experiments explored intraspecific variation in response to elevated CO2 and to high temperature during anthesis in Chenopodium quinoaWild. Three cultivars of quinoa were grown to maturity at 400 ("ambient") and 600 ("elevated") μmol·mol-1 CO2 concentrations at 20/14 °C day/night ("control") temperatures, with or without exposure to day/night temperatures of 35/29 °C ("high" temperatures) for seven days during anthesis. At control temperatures, the elevated CO2 concentration increased the total aboveground dry mass at maturity similarly in all cultivars, but by only about 10%. A large down-regulation of photosynthesis at elevated CO2 occurred during grain filling. In contrast to shoot mass, the increase in seed dry mass at elevated CO2 ranged from 12% to 44% among cultivars at the control temperature. At ambient CO2, the week-long high temperature treatment greatly decreased (0.30 × control) or increased (1.70 × control) seed yield, depending on the cultivar. At elevated CO2, the high temperature treatment increased seed yield moderately in all cultivars. These quinoa cultivars had a wide range of responses to both elevated CO2 and to high temperatures during anthesis, and much more variation in harvest index responses to elevated CO2 than other crops that have been examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the risk of German compost workers developing chronic respiratory effects from long-term exposure to bioaerosols.Methods: Respiratory health was determined in 74 currently exposed compost workers and 37 non-exposed controls after 13 years of follow-up. In addition, 42 former compost workers (drop-outs) who left their work during the follow-up period were also examined. Respiratory symptoms and working conditions were assessed using identical questionnaires as at baseline. In addition, lung function was measured using the same spirometer as in the initial study. Sera from both surveys were tested for specific IgE and IgG antibodies to moulds and the risk of work-related symptoms was evaluated using regression approaches for prospective studies with binary data.Results: In the follow-up period, the number of participants reporting cough significantly increased in compost workers and drop-outs compared to the controls. Working as a compost worker for at least 5 years increased the relative risk for cough (RR 1.28; 95% CI 1.2 to 1.4) and for cough with phlegm (RR 1.32; 95% CI 1.2 to 1.5). Current and former compost workers had slightly lower predicted percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 s and predicted percentage of forced vital capacity than controls, but decrease in lung function during follow-up was not different among the 3 groups. In addition, no significant changes could be detected in antibody concentrations.Conclusions: Our results suggest that chronic exposure to bioaerosols in composting plants is related to a significantly higher risk for cough with phlegm, indicating chronic bronchitis. However, compost workers showed no higher incidence of deterioration of pulmonary function over the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A screen of bacteriophages infecting a panel of Campylobacter jejuni PT14 gene knock-out mutants identified a role for the minor flagellin encoded by the flaB gene, in the defense of the host against CP8unalikevirus bacteriophage CP_F1 infection. Inactivation of the flaB gene resulted in an increase in the susceptibility of PT14 cultures to infection by CP_F1 and an increase in bacteriophage yields. Infection of wild type PT14 with CP_F1 produces turbid plaques in bacterial lawns, from which 78% of the resistant isolates recovered exhibit either attenuation or complete loss of motility. CP_F1 produces clear plaques on the flaB mutant with no regrowth in the lysis zones. Complementation of the mutant restored overgrowth and the development of resistance at the expense of motility. Further analyses revealed an increase in bacteriophage adsorption constant of nearly 2-fold and burst-size 3-fold, relative to the wild type. Motility analysis showed no major reduction in swarming motility in the flaB mutant. Thus, we propose a new role for FlaB in the defense of campylobacters against bacteriophage infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraspecific variation in response to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration [CO2] could be used as a means to begin selection for improved quantitative or qualitative characteristics for a given crop. Peanut (Arachis hypo-gaea L.) is a leguminous crop of global importance; however multiyear field assessments of intraspecific variation in yield or seed quality in regard to rising atmospheric [CO2] are scarce. In the current study, we examined the seed yield, above-ground biomass, and concentration of a seed storage protein and primary allergen (Ara h 1) for two peanut cultivars with distinct morphologies, 'Virginia Jumbo' and 'Georgia Green', grown in open-top field chambers at ambient or ambient + 250 μmol mol-1 [CO2] for a 2-yr period. Significant differences in cultivar, [CO2], and cultivar x [CO2] were observed for above-ground biomass and seed (peanut) yield, with Virginia Jumbo showing a consistently greater increase relative to Georgia Green in response to elevated [CO2]. The greater quantitative response of Virginia Jumbo to [CO2] was also concurrent with a significant increase in the concentration of Ara h 1 for this cultivar, which, in turn, was negatively correlated with overall protein concentration. While preliminary, these results indicate that selection opportunities exist to match yield increases to rising [CO2] for peanut through genetic or phenotypic selection; in addition, these are also the first data to show that [CO2]-induced qualitative changes, particularly in regard to increased allergen concentration, should also be considered to address food safety concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic animals and animal products are the source of pathogenic Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli in industrialized countries, yet little is known about the transmission of these bacteria in developing countries. Guinea pigs ( Cavia porcellus) are commonly raised for food in the Andean region of South America, however, limited research has characterized this rodent as a reservoir of zoonotic enteric pathogens. In this study, we examined the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in 203 fecal samples from domestic animals of 59 households in a semi-rural parish of Quito, Ecuador. Of the twelve animal species studied, guinea pigs showed the highest prevalence of C. jejuni ( n = 39/40; 97.5%). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to characterize the genetic relationship of C. jejuni from domestic animals and 21 sequence types (STs) were identified. The majority of STs from guinea pigs appeared to form new clonal complexes that were not related to STs of C. jejuni isolated from other animal species and shared only a few alleles with other C. jejuni previously characterized. The study identifies guinea pigs as a major reservoir of C. jejuni and suggests that some C. jejuni strains are adapted to this animal species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a counterweight to genetic erosion, landraces could become important germplasm resources for breeding. In the present study the genetic diversity of 62 Greek and Eastern European oat accessions (seven cultivars and 55 common and red oat landraces collected from 1904 to 1960) was studied using simple sequence repeats and 31 morphological descriptors. High levels of polymorphism were detected and 209 distinctive alleles were identified; on average 14.65 alleles per primer. Both, the principal component analysis derived from the morphological data, and the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean from the molecular analysis clustered the oat genotypes according to their type (common and red oats). In addition, the analysis of molecular variation showed that there were noteworthy differences within designated geographic regions. Moreover, a more discrete subpopulation structure was identified based on allele frequency using a Bayesian clustering approach. A clear distinction was evident among the red and common oats suggesting that they should be considered as separate species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, efforts have been undertaken to reduce the volume of residual waste through sorting and recycling. The waste management and recycling sector is thriving and the number of workers there is increasing. In this context, prior knowledge of the risks to which workers may be exposed is of crucial importance, and preventive measures need to be put in place to accurately identify and quantify those risks. This study aimed to assess occupational risk of exposure to biological agents (viable bacteria and fungi) in a Portuguese waste packaging glass sorting plant. Air samples were collected from selected locations in waste sorting cabins (critical area, CA), administrative services (noncritical area, NCA) and outdoors (control point, CP). Duplicate air samples were collected through an impaction method. The investigation was carried out over an 8-mo period with two collection periods, autumn/winter (AW) and spring/summer (SS), in order to access the influence of any seasonal variation. In the 36 air samples collected, 319 bacterial and 196 mold identifications were performed. Air samples revealed existence of high environmental contamination by bacteria (1.6 × 104colony forming units [cfu]/m3) and fungi (1.5 × 104cfu/m3). The predominant bacterial genus wasStaphylococcus(coagulase negative) with values ranging from 29.6 to 60% of the total count of bacteria. GeneraBacillus, Micrococcus, andStaphylococcus(coagulase negative) were also present at all sampling sites, regardless of the season. However, the counts of these genera, in the CA, were higher in warmer seasons. The genusPenicilliumwas the most frequent genus present with an approximate value of 95% of total fungal count in the CA. Seasonal variation was a significant factor for total bacteria and fungi, except for NCA versus CP. Overall, the highest levels of bacterial and fungal species (104cfu/m3) were found in the waste sorting cabin (CA). These results highlight the importance of proper design and risk evaluation when planning a new waste facility, such that working conditions minimize proliferation of biological agents in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In Campylobacter jejuni, chemotaxis and motility have been identified as important virulence factors that are required for host colonization and invasion. Chemotactic recognition of extracellular signals is mediated by the periplasmic sensory domains of its transducer-like proteins (Tlps). In this study, the sensory domain of the C. jejuni chemoreceptor for aspartate A (CcaA) has been expressed in Escherichia coli and purified from inclusion bodies. The urea-denatured protein was refolded and then crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method using PEG 3350 as a precipitating agent. A complete data set has been collected to 1.4 Å resolution using cryocooling conditions and synchrotron radiation. The crystals belonged to space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a = 39.3, b = 43.3, c = 50.9 Å, α = 92.5, β = 111.4, γ = 114.7°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli are human intestinal pathogens that are the most frequent causes of bacterial foodborne gastroenteritis in humans in the UK. In this study, we aimed to characterise the metabolic diversity of both C. jejuni and C. coli using a diverse panel of clinical strains isolated from the UK, Pakistan and Thailand, thereby representing both the developed and developing world. Our aim was to apply multi genome analysis and Biolog phenotyping to determine differences in carbon source utilisation by C. jejuni and C. coli strains. Results We have identified a core set of carbon sources (utilised by all strains tested) and a set that are differentially utilised for a diverse panel of thirteen C. jejuni and two C. coli strains. This study used multi genome analysis to show that propionic acid is utilised only by C. coli strains tested. A broader PCR screen of 16 C. coli strains and 42 C. jejuni confirmed the absence of the genes needed for propanoate metabolism. Conclusions From our analysis we have identified a phenotypic method and two genotypic methods based on propionic utilisation that might be applicable for distinguishing between C. jejuni and C. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study intended to characterize work environment contamination by particles in 2 waste-sorting plants. Material and Methods: Particles were measured by portable direct-reading equipment. Besides mass concentration in different sizes, data related with the number of particles concentration were also obtained. Results: Both sorting units showed the same distribution concerning the 2 exposure metrics: particulate matter 5 (PM) and particulate matter 10 (PM) reached the highest levels and 0.3 μm was the fraction with a higher number of particles. Unit B showed higher (p < 0.05) levels for both exposure metrics. For instance, in unit B the PM size is 9-fold higher than in unit A. In unit A, particulate matter values obtained in pre-sorting and in the sequential sorting cabinet were higher without ventilation working. Conclusions: Workers from both waste-sorting plants are exposed to particles. Particle counting provided additional information that is of extreme value for analyzing the health effects of particles since higher values of particles concentration were obtained in the smallest fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research assessed the prevalence of respiratory complaints and the occupational risk factors among municipal solid waste (MSW) collectors. A comparative study was conducted upon MSW collectors in Western Municipality of Mansoura. Sociodemographic and occupational data were collected. Clinical examination and respiratory function measurements were performed. The prevalence of respiratory complaints during the past 12 months was higher among MSW collectors than the service worker group. Older age, cigarette smoking, and longer duration of employment were independently associated with impaired FEV1(OR = 0.22, 7.2, 0.09, respectively). Older age group of collectors was independently associated with impaired FVC (OR = 0.34). Longer duration of employment was independently associated with impaired FEV1/ FVC (OR = 0.09). Respiratory complaints were prevalent among MSW collectors due to lack of engineering, medical and legislative measures. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Crocidura obscurior or West African pygmy shrew complex is endemic to West African forests from south-eastern Guinea, eastern Liberia, southern Côte d'Ivoire and south-western Ghana. We explore the genetic and morphometric diversity of 239 individuals of the C. obscurior complex from 17 localities across its geographical range. Using genetic data from three mitochondrial (16S, cytochrome b and COI) and four nuclear markers ( BRCA1, STAT5A, HDAC2 and RIOK3) and skull geometric morphometrics, we show that this complex is composed of two cryptic and sympatric species, C. obscurior and C. eburnea. We then test several hypotheses to infer their evolutionary history. The observed phylogeographical pattern based on cytochrome b and COI sequences fits the forest refuge theory: during arid phases of the Plio-Pleistocene, around 3.5, 2.1, 1 and 0.5 Mya, a small number of populations survived in isolated forest patches and diverged allopatrically. During wetter climatic periods, forests expanded, leading to secondary contacts between previously isolated populations. Our results also suggest the possible contribution of episodes of isolation in subrefuges. Historical variation of the West African hydrographic network could also have contributed to the observed patterns of genetic differentiation. Rivers such as the Volta and Sassandra may act as past and/or current barriers to gene flow. Although these two species have sympatric distributions, their phylogeographical histories are somewhat dissimilar due to small differences in their dispersal abilities and ecological requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic waste is a rich substrate for microbial growth, and because of that, workers from waste industry are at higher risk of exposure to bioaerosols. This study aimed to assess fungal contamination in two plants handling solid waste management. Air samples from the two plants were collected through an impaction method. Surface samples were also collected by swabbing surfaces of the same indoor sites. All collected samples were incubated at 27°C for 5 to 7 d. After lab processing and incubation of collected samples, quantitative and qualitative results were obtained with identification of the isolated fungal species. Air samples were also subjected to molecular methods by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) using an impinger method to measure DNA ofAspergillus flavuscomplex andStachybotrys chartarum.Assessment of particulate matter (PM) was also conducted with portable direct-reading equipment. Particles concentration measurement was performed at five different sizes (PM0.5; PM1; PM2.5; PM5; PM10). With respect to the waste sorting plant, three species more frequently isolated in air and surfaces wereA. niger(73.9%; 66.1%),A. fumigatus(16%; 13.8%), andA. flavus(8.7%; 14.2%). In the incineration plant, the most prevalent species detected in air samples were Penicillium sp. (62.9%), A. fumigatus (18%), and A. flavus (6%), while the most frequently isolated in surface samples were Penicillium sp. (57.5%), A. fumigatus (22.3%) and A. niger (12.8%).Stachybotrys chartarumand other toxinogenic strains fromA. flavuscomplex were not detected. The most common PM sizes obtained were the PM10and PM5(inhalable fraction). Since waste is the main internal fungal source in the analyzed settings, preventive and protective measures need to be maintained to avoid worker exposure to fungi and their metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In present work attempt has been made to study the prevalence of morbidities among door to door waste collecting workers. Study Area: Surat city workers working at Pal, Umarpada, Bhatar, Anjana, Vastadevdi and Pandesara transfer station were selected for study purpose. Method: A cross sectional study was carried out for 292 workers of Surat city who are involved in daily door to door waste collecting activity implemented under MSW 2000 rule. 93 workers who are working in office (not coming in touch of waste) were selected as non exposed group. Workers age, sex, social economic condition, habits and other relevant information for health survey were obtained separately. Respiratory symptoms data were collected using ATS- DLD standard questionnaires. Data were also collected for acute irritative symptoms, musculoskeletal symptoms and gastrointestinal symptoms. Result and Conclusion: The data were analyzed with reference to symptoms, habits. For comparison odds ratio was calculated. Results indicate that door to door waste collecting workers are having potential risk for the development of chronic respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, wheezing and chronic bronchitis). They are also having higher risk for musculoskeletal symptoms (low back pain, elbow/wrist pain) and injuries caused by sharp objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Water damage in buildings has been associated with reports of upper airway inflammation among occupants. Methods This survey included a questionnaire, allergen skin testing, nasal nitric oxide, and nasal lavage on 153 participants. We conducted exposure assessments of 297 workstations and analyzed collected dust for fungi, endotoxin, and (1 → 3)-β- D-glucan to create floor-specific averages. Results Males had higher levels of nasal inflammatory markers, and females reported more symptoms. ECP, IL-8, and MPO were significantly associated with nasal symptoms, flu-like achiness, or chills. Fungi and glucan were positively associated with blowing out thick mucus. Endotoxin was significantly associated with ECP in overall models, and with ECP, IL-8, MPO, and neutrophils among non-atopic females. Conclusions In this study, we documented an association between endotoxin and nasal inflammatory markers among office workers. The results of our study suggest that a non-allergic response may contribute to symptoms occurring among occupants in this water-damaged building. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:522-530, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oats are a low input cereal widely grown across the world as both a grain and forage crop. Significant areas of production are in Northern Europe and North America and also in China and Australia. Although a traditional crop in many countries, in the last 50 years there has been a significant shift in oat production as a consequence of changing agricultural production and competition from other cereal crops. Oats are of significant economic importance for human consumption, for livestock feed and increasingly as a source of high value compounds with industrial applications as a consequence of the many unique properties of the oat grain. Traditional use in human diets in many countries has been boosted by the recent recognition of oats as a health food. This is attributed to the presence of β-glucan, the major endospermic cell wall polysaccharide. As a result, there has been an increase in the use of oats and a broadening of oat based products. Increasing knowledge of the composition of the oat grain and its value for the various end-users is leading to new opportunities for the crop. While the value of oats as a break crop in cereal based rotations is widely recognised, maintaining the profitability of the crop whilst meeting the needs of end users is essential for future production. Opportunities exist for plant breeders and agronomists to introduce new oat varieties with tailored agronomic approaches to address this challenge and to ensure the sustainability of oats for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass) is the most important forage grass species of temperate regions. We have previously released the chloroplast genome sequence of L. perenne ‘Cashel’. Here nine chloroplast microsatellite markers are published, which were designed based on knowledge about genetically variable regions within the L. perenne chloroplast genome. These markers were successfully used for characterizing the genetic diversity in Lolium and different grass species. Methods Chloroplast genomes of 14 Poaceae taxa were screened for mononucleotide microsatellite repeat regions and primers designed for their amplification from nine loci. The potential of these markers to assess genetic diversity was evaluated on a set of 16 Irish and 15 European L. perenne ecotypes, nine L. perenne cultivars, other Lolium taxa and other grass species. Key Results All analysed Poaceae chloroplast genomes contained more than 200 mononucleotide repeats (chloroplast simple sequence repeats, cpSSRs) of at least 7 bp in length, concentrated mainly in the large single copy region of the genome. Nucleotide composition varied considerably among subfamilies (with Pooideae biased towards poly A repeats). The nine new markers distinguish L. perenne from all non-Lolium taxa. TeaCpSSR28 was able to distinguish between all Lolium species and Lolium multiflorum due to an elongation of an A8 mononucleotide repeat in L. multiflorum. TeaCpSSR31 detected a considerable degree of microsatellite length variation and single nucleotide polymorphism. TeaCpSSR27 revealed variation within some L. perenne accessions due to a 44-bp indel and was hence readily detected by simple agarose gel electrophoresis. Smaller insertion/deletion events or single nucleotide polymorphisms detected by these new markers could be visualized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or DNA sequencing, respectively. Conclusions The new markers are a valuable tool for plant breeding companies, seed testing agencies and the wider scientific community due to their ability to monitor genetic diversity within breeding pools, to trace maternal inheritance and to distinguish closely related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]