bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Identification of Bacillus spp. and Related Genera from Different Starchy Foods
Authors: Fangio Maria Florencia , Roura Sara Ines , Fritz Rosalía 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT:  Samples of butternut squash, potatoes, rice, and wheat flour were analyzed. Bacillus spp. and related species belonging to Paenibacillus and Brevibacillus genera were found in 96% of the samples. In butternut squash, predominant species were Bacillus pumilus and Paenibacillus polymyxa together with other Bacillus spp. species (B. cereus, B. licheniformis, B. sphaericus, and B. subtilis). In all the potato samples, Bacillus species were detected (B. cereus, B. mycoides, and B. licheniformis). Also, Bacillus spp. were detected in 100% of the unhusked rice samples, while incidence in white rice samples was 83%. In total rice samples, B. pumilus, Brevibacillus brevis, and Paenibacillus macerans were the main species and B. cereus, P. polymyxa, B. subtilis, and Brevibacillus laterosporus had the lower percentage. The most important species found in wheat flour was P. polymyxa with colony forming units per gram of about 102. As the identified species were potentially causatives of foodborne diseases, attention should be given to sanitary and temperature conditions as critical factors that influence the safety and shelf life of these products.Practical Application: Foodborne illness produce by B. cereus have been associated with a wide variety of food. In addition, some other Bacillus species have been related to foodborne disease in humans. Information about the virulence mechanisms of other Bacillus spp. is scanty and their risk is underestimated. Identifying the group of food and the food processes in which Bacillus cereus or other Bacillus spp. would be hazardous for human health is vital for the prevention of foodborne outbreak. In this study, we determined the incidence of Bacillus spp. and related genera in some food items of agriculture origin from Argentina. This research is relevant to identify the presence of potentially pathogen Bacillus species and related genera in this type of food.
Optimization of Combined Microwave–Hot Air Roasting of Malt Based on Energy Consumption and Neo‐Formed Contaminants Content
Authors: Akkarachaneeyakorn S. , Laguerre J.C. , Tattiyakul J. , Neugnot B. , Boivin P. , Morales F.J. , Birlouez‐Aragon I. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT:  To produce specialty malt, malts were roasted by combined microwave–hot air at various specific microwave powers (SP = 2.5 to 3 W/g), microwave heating times (tmw = 3.3 to 3.5 min), oven temperatures (Toven = 180 to 220 °C), and oven heating times (toven = 60 to 150 min). The response variables, color, energy consumption by microwave (Emw) and oven (Eoven), total energy consumption (Etot), quantity of neo‐formed contaminants (NFCs), which include hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, furan, and acrylamide were determined. Response surface methodology (RSM) was performed to analyze and predict the optimum conditions for the specialty malt. Production using combined microwave–hot air roasting process based on minimum energy consumption and level of NFCs. At 95% confident level, SP, Toven, and toven were the most influencing effects with regard to Etot, whereas tmw did not affect Etot. Toven and toven significantly affected malt color. Only Toven significantly influenced the NFCs content. The optimum parameters were: SP = 2.68 W/g for 3.44 min, Toven = 206 °C for 136 min for coffee malt, SP = 2.5 W/g for 3.48 min, Toven = 214 °C for 136 min for chocolate malt, and SP = 2.5 W/g for 3.48 min, Toven = 211 °C for 150 min for black malt. Comparing with conventional process, combined microwave–hot air reduced Etot by approximately 40%, 26%, and 26% for coffee, chocolate, and black malts, respectively, and reduced HMF, furfural, furan, and acrylamide contents by 40%, 18%, 23%, and 95%, respectively, for black malt.Practical Application: An important goal for research institutions and the brewery industry is to produce colored malt by combining microwave and hot air roasting, while saving energy, getting desirable color, and avoiding the formation of carcinogenic and toxic neo‐formed contaminants (NFCs). Therefore, one objective of this study was to compare energy consumption and content of NFCs during roasting of malt by hot air‐only and combined microwave–hot air processes as well as to determine the effect of specific power, microwave processing time, oven temperature, and oven processing time during combined microwave–hot air roasting. Another objective was to predict the optimum conditions for the production of coffee, chocolate, and black malts.
Low‐Dose Irradiation Improves Microbial Quality and Shelf Life of Fresh Mint (Mentha piperita L.) without Compromising Visual Quality
Authors: Hsu Wei‐Yea , Simonne Amarat , Jitareerat Pongphen , Marshall Jr. Maurice R. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT:  The effects of low‐dose irradiation (0.25 to 2 kGy) and postirradiation storage (at 4 °C) on microbial and visual quality, color values (L*, a*, b*, chroma, and hue [°]), and chlorophyll content (Chl a, Chl b, and total Chl) of fresh mint were evaluated. Samples inoculated with E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and MS2 bacteriophage were irradiated and evaluated. E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella populations were reduced by 2 to 2.4, 3.5, and 5.8 log CFU/g, respectively, 1 d after treatment with 0.25, 0.60, and 1 kGy, respectively, and were completely eliminated at 2 kGy. None of the irradiation doses (P < 0.0001) reduced MS2 bacteriophage populations by more than 0.60 log PFU/g. Irradiation doses did not affect visual quality and samples remained of excellent to good quality (score 7.75 to 9) for up to 9 d of storage. Irradiation at 0.60, 1, and 2 kGy increased (P < 0.0001) Chl a, Chl b, and total Chl. Both total Chl and Chl a decreased significantly after 3 d of storage. Significant decreases in Chl b were not observed until day 12 of storage. Color values (L*, b*, and chroma) were not significantly different until day 6 of storage and hue (°) remained unchanged (179°) for the entire storage period of 12 d. Overall, irradiation did not change L*, a*, b*, or chroma. These results demonstrate that irradiation of fresh mint at 2 kGy has the potential to improve its microbial quality and extend its shelf life without compromising its visual quality and color.Practical Application: Mints and other raw fresh herbs are widely used for flavoring as well as garnish in a variety of dishes without further cooking. However, mint is one considered as one of the high‐risk herbs when it comes to microbial contamination. We have evaluated the use of gamma irradiation treatment at very low doses ranging from 0 to 2 kGy to eliminate seeded Salmonella spp, E. coli O157:H7, and MS2 bacteriophage, a surrogate of hepatitis A virus. We found that low‐dose irradiation (1.0 to 2.0 kGy) appears to be a promising method for improving the microbiological quality of fresh mint without compromising its visual and color attributes. This method may be applied to many popular fresh culinary herbs that are commonly used as garnishes in Asian cuisine.
Thermal Stability of Ricin in Orange and Apple Juices
Authors: Jackson Lauren S. , Zhang Zhe , Tolleson William H. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT:  Ricin is a potent protein toxin that could be exploited for bioterrorism. Although ricin may be detoxified using heat, inactivation conditions in foods are not well characterized. Two brands of pulp‐free orange juice and 2 brands of single‐strength apple juice (one clarified and the other unclarified) containing 100 μg/mL added ricin were heated at 60 to 90 °C for up to 2 h. With increasing heating times and temperatures the heat‐treated juices exhibited decreasing detectability of ricin by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and cytotoxicity to cultured cells. Z‐values for ricin inactivation in orange juices were 14.4 ± 0.8 °C and 17 ± 4 °C using cytotoxicity assays, compared to 13.4 ± 1.5 °C and 14 ± 2 °C determined by ELISA. Although insignificant differences were apparent for z‐values measured for the 2 orange juice brands, significant differences were found in the z‐values for the 2 brands of apple juice. The z‐values for ricin inactivation in the clarified and unclarified apple juices were 21 ± 4 °C and 9.5 ± 1.1 °C, determined by cytotoxicity assays, and 20 ± 2 °C and 11.6 ± 0.7 °C, respectively, using ELISA. Overall, there were no significant differences between results measured with ELISA and cytotoxicity assays. Ricin stability in orange juice and buffer was evaluated at 25 °C. Half‐lives of 10 ± 3 d and 4.9 ± 0.4 d, respectively, indicated that active ricin in juice could reach consumers. These results indicate that ricin in apple and orange juices can remain toxic under some processing and product storage conditions.Practical Application: Ricin is a potent toxin that is abundant in castor beans and is present in the castor bean mash by‐product after cold‐press extraction of castor oil. U.S. Health and Human Services recognizes that ricin could be used for bioterrorism. This study reports the stability of ricin in apple and orange fruit juices at temperatures ranging from 60 to 90 °C (140 to 194 °F).
Antibody Response Patterns to
Bordetella pertussis
Antigens in Vaccinated (Primed) and Unvaccinated (Unprimed) Young Children with Pertussis
Authors: Cherry James D. , Heininger Ulrich , Richards David M. , Storsaeter Jann , Gustafsson Lennart , Ljungman Margaretha , Hallander Hans O. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

In a previous study, it was found that the antibody response to a nonvaccine pertussis antigen in children who were vaccine failures was reduced compared with the response in nonvaccinated children who had pertussis. In two acellular pertussis vaccine efficacy trials in Sweden, we studied the convalescent-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) geometric mean values (GMVs) in response to pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), pertactin (PRN), and fimbriae (FIM 2/3) in vaccine failures and controls with pertussis. In Germany, the antibody responses to
Bordetella pertussis
antigens PT, FHA, PRN, and FIM-2 were analyzed by ELISA according to time of serum collection after onset of illness in children with pertussis who were vaccine failures or who were previously unvaccinated. Antibody values were also compared by severity of clinical illness. In Sweden, infants who had received a PT toxoid vaccine and who were vaccine failures had a blunted response to the nonvaccine antigen FHA compared with the response in children who had received a PT/FHA vaccine. Similarly, infants who had pertussis and who had received a PT/FHA vaccine had a blunted response to the nonvaccine antigens PRN and FIM 2/3 compared with the response in children who were vaccine failures and who had received a PT, FHA, PRN, and FIM 2/3 vaccine. In Germany, in sera collected from 0 to 15 days after pertussis illness onset, the GMVs for all 4 antigens (PT, FHA, PRN, and FIM-2) were significantly lower in an unvaccinated group than in children who were diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine failures. In the unvaccinated group, the GMV of the PT antibody rose rapidly over time so that it was similar to that of the DTaP vaccine recipients at the 16- to 30-day period. In contrast, the antibody responses to FHA, PRN, and FIM-2 at all time periods were lower in the diphtheria-tetanus vaccine (DT) recipients than in the DTaP vaccine failures. In both Sweden and Germany, children with less severe illness had lower antibody responses than children with typical pertussis. Our findings indicate that upon exposure and infection, previous vaccinees have more-robust antibody responses to the antigens contained in the vaccine they had received than to
Bordetella
antigens that were not in the vaccine they had received. In addition, over time the antibody responses to FHA, PRN, and FIM-2 were greater in children with vaccine failure (primed subjects) than in unvaccinated children (unprimed subjects) whereas the responses to PT were similar in the primed and unprimed children, as determined from sera collected after 15 days of illness. Our findings lend support to the idea that DTaP vaccines should contain multiple antigens.
Performance Characteristics of the MultiCode-RTx Hepatitis C Virus Load Test Targeting the 3′ Untranslated Region
Authors: Ramjit Ruan T. , Ingersoll Jessica , Abdul-Ali Deborah , Frempong Mona , Caliendo Angela M. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Viral load testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA has become a key parameter in the diagnosis of infection and treatment monitoring. This study evaluated the performance characteristics of the MultiCode-RTx HCV assay (MultiCode; EraGen Biosciences, Inc., Madison, WI), a real-time PCR test targeting the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of the HCV genome, compared to the TaqMan HCV load ASR assay (TaqMan; Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN) that targets the 5′ UTR. For plasma specimens, the MultiCode assay had a limit of detection of 2.3 log
10
IU/ml and a linear range of at least 6.7 log
10
IU/ml. Comparison of plasma viral loads obtained by the MultiCode and TaqMan tests showed that they were in very close agreement (mean difference, −0.1 log
10
IU/ml). No genotype bias was observed for genotypes 1, 2, and 3. When the MultiCode assay was evaluated with the MagNA Pure and easyMAG extraction methods, the viral loads for the easyMAG extraction were consistently higher for all specimens tested (mean difference, 0.45 log
10
IU/ml). Aside from the limit of detection, the performance characteristics of the MultiCode assay were similar to the TaqMan assay for the clinical application of HCV load testing.
Dual-Emission Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) Real-Time PCR Differentiates Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Subtypes and Discriminates Infected from Vaccinated Cats
Authors: Wang Chengming , Johnson Calvin M. , Ahluwalia Sudhir K. , Chowdhury Erfan , Li Yihang , Gao Dongya , Poudel Anil , Rahman K. Shamsur , Kaltenboeck Bernhard 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is among the most common infectious agents of cats. Five well-characterized FIV subtypes, A, B, C, D, and E, are recognized worldwide. As in HIV diagnosis, serum antibodies against FIV classically serve as an indicator of infection status. After the introduction of an inactivated FIV vaccine, this approach has become problematic, since antibodies generated by vaccination are indistinguishable from antibodies in response to infection. However, PCR detection of host-cell-integrated FIV DNA will differentiate infection-derived antibody from vaccination-derived positivity because presumably the RNA of inactivated vaccine virus will not integrate into the host genome. In this study, we established a
gag
gene-based dual-emission fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) real-time PCR that amplifies single-target copies of all known FIV strains and differentiates five FIV subtypes. All blood samples from experimentally FIV-infected cats (
n
= 5) were antibody positive and highly positive in the FIV PCR. In contrast, nine cats became antibody positive after FIV vaccination but remained negative in the FIV PCR. Of 101 FIV antibody-positive feline blood specimens submitted for FIV PCR diagnosis, 61 were positive (60%). A total of 23 of the positive PCRs identified subtype A, 11 identified subtype B1, 11 identified subtype B2/E, and 16 identified subtype C. FIV subtype D was not detected in any submitted specimens even though 13 blood specimens were from cats known to have received the FIV vaccine, which contains FIV subtype A and D inactivated virions. Therefore, this PCR quantitatively identifies FIV subtypes and unambiguously discriminates between FIV-vaccinated and FIV-infected cats.
Escherichia coli
Variants in Periprosthetic Joint Infection: Diagnostic Challenges with Sessile Bacteria and Sonication
Authors: Sendi Parham , Frei Reno , Maurer Thomas B. , Trampuz Andrej , Zimmerli Werner , Graber Peter 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

The diagnostic yield of prosthetic joint-associated infection is hampered by the phenotypic change of bacteria into a sessile and resistant form, also called biofilm. With sonication, adherent bacteria can be dislodged from the prosthesis. Species identification may be difficult because of their variations in phenotypic appearance and biochemical reaction. We have studied the phenotypic, genotypic, and biochemical properties of
Escherichia coli
variants isolated from a periprosthetic joint infection. The strains were collected from synovial fluid, periprosthetic tissue, and fluid from the explanted and sonicated prosthesis. Isolates from synovial fluid revealed a normal phenotype, whereas a few variants from periprosthetic tissue and all isolates from sonication fluid showed different morphological features (including small-colony variants). All isolates from sonication fluid were beta-galactosidase negative and nonmotile; most were indole negative. Because of further variations in biochemical properties, species identification was false or not possible in 50% of the isolates included in this study. In contrast to normal phenotypes, variants were resistant to aminoglycosides. Typing of the isolates using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis yielded nonidentical banding patterns, but all strains were assigned to the same clonal origin when compared with 207 unrelated
E. coli
isolates. The bacteria were repeatedly passaged on culture media and reanalyzed. Thereafter, most variants reverted to normal phenotype and regained their motility and certain biochemical properties. In addition, some variants displayed aminoglycoside susceptibility after reversion. Sonication of an explanted prosthesis allows insight into the lifestyle of bacteria in biofilms. Since sonication fluid also reveals dislodged sessile forms, species identification of such variants may be misleading.
Evaluation of
Mycobacterium avium
Complex Clarithromycin Susceptibility Testing Using SLOMYCO Sensititre Panels and JustOne Strips
Authors: Babady N. Esther , Hall Leslie , Abbenyi Adeline T. , Eisberner Justin J. , Brown-Elliott Barbara A. , Pratt Cody J. , McGlasson Maria C. , Beierle Keanan D. , Wohlfiel Sherri L. , Deml Sharon M. , Wallace Richard J. , Wengenack Nancy L. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

The SLOMYCO Sensititre panel and the custom JustOne strip (both from TREK Diagnostic Systems, Cleveland, OH) were evaluated for susceptibility testing of
Mycobacterium avium
complex isolates against clarithromycin. Seventy-one archived and prospectively collected isolates were tested using both the SLOMYCO panel and the JustOne strip, and the results were compared to those obtained using the BACTEC 460 (BD, Sparks, MD) radiometric method and a broth microdilution reference method. Results obtained by the SLOMYCO panel and the JustOne strip agreed with the BACTEC 460 method for 64/71 isolates (90%). Similarly, concordance with the broth microdilution method was 40/43 isolates (93%) for both test systems. The effect of the source medium on inoculum preparation was evaluated, and there were no differences noted in MICs, regardless of whether the inoculum was prepared from isolates grown in Middlebrook 7H9 medium, on Middlebrook 7H10 agar, or in VersaTREK broth culture bottles (Trek Diagnostics). Clarithromycin susceptibility testing of MAC using the SLOMYCO panel and the JustOne strip methods is easy to set up and simple to read and is readily incorporate into the clinical laboratory. These systems offer advantages over the BACTEC 460 system including the lack of a need for radioactive substrates, sharps, or costly instrumentation.
Detection by GenoType MTBDR
sl
Test of Complex Mechanisms of Resistance to Second-Line Drugs and Ethambutol in Multidrug-Resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Complex Isolates
Authors: Brossier Florence , Veziris Nicolas , Aubry Alexandra , Jarlier Vincent , Sougakoff Wladimir 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

The GenoType MTBDR
sl
test rapidly detects resistance to ethambutol, fluoroquinolones, and second-line aminoglycosides (amikacin and kanamycin) and cyclic peptide (capreomycin) in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. A set of 41 multidrug-resistant (MDR)
M. tuberculosis
strains, 8 extensively drug-resistant (XDR)
M. tuberculosis
strains, and 3 non-MDR
M. tuberculosis
strains were tested by the MTBDR
sl
test and by DNA sequencing of the resistance-determining regions in
gyrA
and
gyrB
(fluoroquinolones [FQ]),
rpsL
(streptomycin),
rrs
and
tlyA
(aminoglycosides and/or cyclic peptide), and
embB
(ethambutol). The sensitivity and specificity of the MTBDR
sl
test were as follows: 87% and 96%, respectively, for fluoroquinolones; 100% for both for amikacin; 77% and 100%, respectively, for kanamycin, 80% and 98%, respectively, for capreomycin; and 57% and 92%, respectively, for ethambutol. Analysis of the discrepant results indicated that three FQ-resistant strains (including one XDR strain) with mutations in
gyrB
were missed by the MTBDR
sl
test and that one FQ-susceptible strain, identified as resistant by the MTBDR
sl
test, had a double mutation (T80A-A90G) in GyrA that did not confer resistance to FQ. Five strains (including two XDR strains) without mutations in
rrs
were monoresistant to aminoglycosides or cyclic peptide and were missed by the MTBDR
sl
test. Finally, 12/28 ethambutol-resistant strains had no mutation at codon 306 in
embB
, while 2/24 ethambutol-susceptible strains had such a mutation. In conclusion, the MTBDR
sl
test efficiently detects the most common mutations involved in resistance to fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides/cyclic peptide, and ethambutol and accurately assesses susceptibility to amikacin. However, due to mutations not included in the test (particularly in
gyrB
) or resistance mechanisms not yet characterized (particularly those related to ethambutol resistance and to monoresistance to aminoglycosides or cyclic peptide), the wild-type results yielded by the MTBDR
sl
test should be confirmed by drug susceptibility testing.
Evaluation of a Rapid Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Diagnosis of Strongyloidiasis
Authors: Bon B. , Houze S. , Talabani H. , Magne D. , Belkadi G. , Develoux M. , Senghor Y. , Chandenier J. , Ancelle T. , Hennequin C. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Diagnosis of strongyloidiasis using stool examination remains unsatisfactory due to the lack of sensitivity and fastidious techniques. In this work, we investigated the value of an anti-
Strongyloides
IgG enzyme immunoassay (EIA), using a panel of 207 sera retrospectively collected from patients with definitive diagnoses of strongyloidiasis (
n
= 57), other helminthic infections (
n
= 46), eosinophilia without parasitic infection diagnosis (
n
= 54), and digestive disturbances following a tropical journey (
n
= 30) and from 20 negative controls. By following a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, it was possible to optimize the test to reach a sensitivity of 91.2% and a specificity of 93.3%, with 92.8% of patients correctly classified. Considering the incidence of strongyloidiasis diagnosed in our own laboratory, the negative predictive value was calculated at 99.9%. In conclusion, this test is very rapid and easy to perform and may be valuable for diagnosis of strongyloidiasis both in cases where the infection is unrevealed by a parasitological stool examination and in patients at risk for severe clinical forms, such as patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy.