Riboflavin bio-enrichment of soy beverage by selected roseoflavin-resistant and engineered lactic acid bacteria

Some lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have the ability to synthesize riboflavin, a trait linked to the presence of ribG, ribB, ribA and ribH genes located in the rib operon. Previous screening of riboflavin producers identified several LAB strains belonging to different species with this ability, but none of them surpassed 0.25 mg/L production of the vitamin. In this study, we explored two strategies to obtain riboflavin-overproducing strains: by roseoflavin selection of mutants, and by the transformation of selected strains with plasmids pNZ:TuR.rib or pNZ:TuB.rib containing the genes ribG, ribB, ribA and ribH from Lactococcus cremoris MG1363. The resulting riboflavin-overproducing strains were able to produce yields between 0.5 and 6 mg/L in culture media and several of them were selected for the fermentation of soy beverages. Riboflavin in bio-enriched soy beverages was evaluated by direct fluorescence measurement and high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence analysis. Soy beverages fermented with the recombinant strains Lactococcus cremoris ESI 277 pNZ:TuB.rib and Lactococcus lactis INIA 12 pNZ:TuR.rib showed the highest riboflavin yields (>5 mg/L) after 24 h fermentation. On the other hand, roseoflavin-resistant mutant Limosilactobacillus fermentum INIA P143R2 was able to enrich fermented soy beverages with 1.5 mg/L riboflavin. Riboflavin-overproducing LAB strains constitute a good option for riboflavin enrichment of soy beverages by fermentation and the commercialization of such beverages could be very useful to prevent riboflavin deficiency.

Identification, activity and delivery of new LysFA67 endolysin to target cheese spoilage Clostridium tyrobutyricum

Bacteriophages and their endolysins are potential biocontrol agents for the anaerobic spoilage organism Clostridium tyrobutyricum, which causes cheese late blowing defect. This study sequenced and compared the genomes of eight bacteriophages from Spanish dairy farms that were active against C. tyrobutyricum, to identify novel species and phage proteins. Phages vB_CtyS-FA67 and vB_CtyS-FA70 shared >94% intergenomic similarity to each other but neither phage had significant similarity to ΦCTP1, the unique C. tyrobutyricum phage sequenced to date. Taxonomic analysis indicated that both phages belong to the class Caudoviricetes and are related to dsDNA viruses with long non-contractile tails. vB_CtyS-FA67 had no other close relatives and encoded a novel endolysin, LysFA67, predicted to belong to the glycoside hydrolase GH24 family. LysFA67 lysed 93% of C. tyrobutyricum cells after 4 min in turbidity reduction assays, retaining lytic activity at pHs 4.2-8.1 and at 30-45 °C. The endolysin remained stable after 30 d storage at 4, 12 and 25 °C, while its activity decreased at -20 °C. LysFA67 lysed several clostridia species, while common dairy bacteria were not affected. Lactococcus lactis INIA 437, used as a cheese starter, was engineered to deliver LysFA67 and red fluorescent LysFA67-mCherry to dairy products. We demonstrated that these engineered strains were able to maintain lytic activity and fluorescence without affecting their technological properties in milk.

Isolation and characterization of new bacteriophages active against Clostridium tyrobutyricum and their role in preventing the late blowing defect of cheese

Lytic bacteriophages (phages) offer a great potential as biocontrol agents for spoilage Clostridium tyrobutyricum, responsible for butyric acid fermentation in semi-hard and hard ripened cheeses, resulting in late gas blowing defect. With this aim, we have isolated, identified and characterized new lytic phages of C. tyrobutyricum, and have evaluated their efficacy to control cheese late blowing by adding them to manufacture milk. Silage, soil, milk and cheese from dairy farms were screened for anti-clostridial phages, obtaining 96 isolates active against C. tyrobutyricum. According to host range, source and plaque morphology, we obtained 20 phage profiles, 8 of them (represented by phages FA3, FA21, FA29, FA52, FA58, FA67, FA70 and FA88) showing a wider host range and high quality lysis, which were further characterized. Selected isolates showed a non-contractile tail, belonging to the Siphoviridae family, and were grouped into 3 restriction profiles. Viable phages were detected after storage in sodium-magnesium buffer (SM buffer), skim milk and acidified skim milk (pH 5) for 7 d at 4 °C, 12 °C and 37 °C, although a decline in infectivity was observed in some cases. Good phage survival was also detected during semi-hard cheese manufacture and ripening (60 d), and cheese lactococci counts, pH, dry matter values, and volatile compounds were not affected by phage addition. In semi-hard cheese, phage FA67 impaired the early germination of C. tyrobutyricum spores and caused a significant decrease in clostridial vegetative cells counts at 14 d of ripening, delaying by 2 weeks the consumption of lactic acid, formation of butyric acid and appearance of late blowing symptoms, compared to the spoilt control cheese without the phage. This is the first report on the application of phage to control C. tyrobutyricum in cheese.

Clarifying the taxonomic status of Crocidura cantabra Cabrera, 1908 (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae: Crocidurinae)

At the beginning of the 20th century Crocidura cantabra was described based on one specimen from Basque Provinces, North of Spain. Later, some authors considered it a junior synonym of Crocidura suaveolens, without any data to support this statement, so the eight existing specimens were registered as records of that species. Our objective was to clarify the taxonomic status of C. cantabra. Since DNA could not be obtained from the existing specimens and the coloration was originally poorly described, an attempt was made to make an assignment based on the original biometric data of two individuals, the only ones identified by Cabrera for which there is biometric information: the holotype and a specimen from Colindres, Cantabria. The body measurements were surely altered by conservation techniques, rendering any identification uncertain, whereas the skull biometry assigns the specimens to C. russula. We propose that C. cantabra should be treated as junior synonym of Crocidura russula.

POS1307 HEMATOLOGICAL MANIFESTATIONS IN THE PRESENCE OF ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODIES IN A PEDIATRIC COHORT

Background

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by thrombotic events (TEs) and/or pregnancy morbidity, in association with two consecutive positive determinations (at least 12 weeks apart) of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). Several manifestations which are not considered clinical criteria of APS have been identified, including hematologic disorders. 1

Objectives

To identify the different variables associated with the development of hematological manifestations in the presence of aPLs in a pediatric cohort.

Methods

Multicentric historical cohort of children ≤ 18 years from three Spanish and one Italian tertiary referral hospitals with at least 2 positive determinations (≥12 weeks apart) of IgG/IgM anticardiolipin (aCL), IgG/IgM anti β2-glycoprotein I (aβ2GP) and/or LA. Demographic, clinical and analytical data were collected. A bivariate and multivariate analysis were carried out. Multicollinearity was also explored to build the model.

Results

131 children were included. Demographic, clinical, analytical data; and results of bivariant analysis are shown in Table 1.

Table 1.

Demographic characteristics; non-thrombotic clinical manifestations; immunologic laboratory findings; and bivariate analysis according to each specific entity and the occurrence of “hematological” manifestations. Categorical variables expressed as number (n) and percentage (%); Numerical variables with normal distribution expressed as mean and SD (standard deviation). * p<0.05.

VariablesTotaln= 131Hematological manifestationsn= 55Absence of hematological manifestationsn= 76P-valueSex, female, n (%)85 (64.9)39 (70.9)46 (60.5)0.219Age, years, mean (SD)10.9 (5.1)10.8 (5.03)10.9 (5.2)0.974Rage, n (%)0.126 Caucasian105 (81.4)43 (79.6)62 (82.7) Maghreb9 (7)2 (3.7)7 (9.3) Latinoamerican8 (6.2)6 (11.1)2 (2.7) Asian5 (3.9)3 (5.6)2 (2.7)Family history of AIDs, n (%)33 (25.2)17 (33.3)16 (21.1)0.122SLE diagnosis, n (%)34 (26)20 (36.4)14 (18.4)0.021*Thrombotic events, n (%)16 (12.2)7 (12.7)9 (11.8)0.879Hematological, n (%)55 (42)--- Thrombocytopenia30 (22.9) Leucopenia16 (8.4) Hemolytic anemia7 (5.3) Evans syndrome2 (1.2)Neurological, n (%)26 (20)10 (18.2)16 (21.3)0.657 Chorea8 (6.1) Epilepsy5 (3.8) Migraine4 (3)Cutaneous, n (%)23 (17.6)6 (10.9)17 (22.4)0.089 Raynaud17 (13) Livedo5 (3.1)Cardiac, n (%)22 (16.8)12 (21.8)10 (13.2)0.191Renal, n (%)2 (1.5)0 (0)2 (2.6)0.225aCL, n (%) IgG54 (41.2)24 (43.6)30 (39.5)0.633 IgM31 (23.7)20 (36.4)11 (14.5)0.004*aB2GP, n (%) IgG59 (45)29 (52.7)30 (39.5)0.132 IgM24 (18.3)16 (29.1)8 (10.5)0.007*LA, n (%)76 (58.5)37 (67.3)39 (52)0.081aPL profile, n (%) Simple76 (58)25 (45.5)51 (67.1)0.008* Double30 (22.9)13 (23.6)17 (22.4) Triple25 (19.1)17 (30.9)8 (10.5)ANA +, n (%)72 (59.5)33 (66)39 (54.9)0.222

The multivariate analysis identified as independent risk factors to develop a hematological manifestation, children with: SLE diagnosis [OR 1.2, 95 CI (0.5-5.8), p= 0.015], cutaneous manifestations [OR 1.01, 95 CI (0.6 -2.8), p= 0.091], LA + [OR 0.8, 95 CI (0.4 -3.6), p= 0.058], and IgG aβ2GP + [OR 0.9, 95 CI (0.4 - 3.9), p= 0.048]. Sex, age, familiar history of AIDs or IgM B2GP+ did not show a higher risk.

Conclusion

Non-criteria manifestations, specially hematologic disorders, are the most frequent events in the presence of aPLs in our cohort. Cutaneous manifestations, a positive personal history of SLE, LA positivity and IgG aβ2GP positivity were associated with a higher risk of developing hematological manifestations. Therefore, their inclusion as APS classification criteria should be considered.

References

[1]Abreu MM, Danowski A, Wahl DG, et al. The relevance of “non-criteria” clinical manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome: 14th International Congress on Antiphospholipid Antibodies Technical Task Force Report on Antiphospholipid Syndrome Clinical Features. Autoimmun Rev. 2015

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL: A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in Portugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with ca. 26% of all species being included in the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associated to habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mammals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change and prey depletion for marine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems functionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is crucial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublished geo-referenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mammals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of Azores and Madeira that includes 107,852 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occurring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live observations/captures (42%), sign surveys (38%), camera trapping (16%), bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radio-tracking and inquiries that represent less than 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: 1) burrows | soil mounds | tunnel, 2) capture, 3) colony, 4) dead animal | hair | skulls | jaws, 5) genetic confirmation, 6) inquiries, 7) observation of live animal, 8), observation in shelters, 9) photo trapping | video, 10), predators diet | pellets | pine cones/nuts, 11) scat | track | ditch, 12) telemetry and 13) vocalization | echolocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and 100 m (76%). Rodentia (n = 34,754) has the highest number of records followed by Chiroptera (n = 18,858), Carnivora (n = 18,594), Lagomorpha (n = 17,679), Cetartiodactyla (n = 11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n = 6400). The data set includes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened (e.g., Oryctolagus cuniculus (n = 12,407), Monachus monachus (n = 1512), and Lynx pardinus (n = 197)]. We believe that this data set may stimulate the publication of other European countries data sets which would certainly contribute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting on the development of more accurate and tailored conservation management strategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications.

Using a blind test to assess the discriminant power of morphological traits to distinguish between similar shrew species

The Canary Islands are home to a large variety of endemic fauna. The Canary shrew (Crocidura canariensis) has a distribution restricted to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and the islets of Lobos and Montaña Clara. One of the main threats to the insular fauna is the arrival of exotic species. The greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) is an easily transportable animal and a potential competitor for C. canariensis. Therefore, C. russula should be taken into account in the management protocols for invasive species. One of the most easily applicable techniques for detecting shrews is the analysis of pellets. This study aims to assess which morphological characters are diagnostic and easy to use when identifying both species of shrews. For this purpose, a blind specific assignment has been made using seven previously described characters and another three added in the present study. The results show that the observer’s experience did not improve the correct identification rate and that only three of the evaluated characters have a high discriminant capacity. Finally, it was found that the combined use of the maximum number of characters and the identification by two independent observers reduces the probability of making a mistake in the determination to minimum values.

Local habitat specialization as an evolutionary response to interspecific competition between two sympatric shrews

Interspecific competition affects population dynamics, distributional ranges, and evolution of competing species. The competitive exclusion principle states that ecologically similar species cannot coexist unless they exhibit niche segregation. Herein, we assess whether niche segregation allows the coexistence of Crocidura russula and C. suaveolens in southwestern Iberia and whether segregation is the result of current (ecological effect) or past (evolutionary effect) competition. We performed an annual live-trapping cycle in the two main habitats of the Odiel Marshes Natural Reserve (OMNR), the tidal marsh and the Mediterranean forest, both in syntopic (i.e., where both species co-occur) and allotopic (where only one of the two species occurs) sites within this Reserve. We modeled the presence–absence of each species in both habitats and sites by generalized linear mixed models. The coexistence of both species was favored by spatial and temporal niche segregation. Crocidura suaveolens was restricted to tidal marsh and did not occupy Mediterranean forest, even when C. russula was absent. We interpret this to be the result of competition in the past triggering an evolutionary response in C. suaveolens towards its specialization in tidal marsh. Moreover, the specialist C. suaveolens currently is outcompeting C. russula in tidal marshes, reversing the dominance pattern observed elsewhere. The degree of co-occurrence between both species in syntopic sites was low, as they showed inverse dynamics of seasonal abundances. Interspecific competition leading to habitat specialization favors the coexistence of these ecologically similar species.

Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy

Benzoic acid is an aromatic carboxylic acid naturally present in plant and animal tissues, which can also be produced by microorganisms. Benzoic acid and a wide range of derivatives and related benzenic compounds, such as salts, alkyl esters, parabens, benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, and benzoyl peroxide, are commonly used as antibacterial and antifungal preservatives and as flavoring agents in food, cosmetic, hygiene, and pharmaceutical products. As a result of their widespread occurrence, production, and uses, these compounds are largely distributed in the environment and found in water, soil, and air. Consequently, human exposure to them can be high, common, and lengthy. This review is mainly focused on the presence and use of benzoic acid in foods but it also covers the occurrence, uses, human exposure, metabolism, toxicology, analytical methods for detection, and legal limits for benzoic acid and its derivatives. Their controversial effects and potential public health concerns are discussed.

Lactation and suckling behavior in the Iberian lynx

Understanding the behavior of endangered species is crucial to improve the management tools to breed animals in captivity and, thus, to increase the success of ex situ conservation programs. In this study, we monitored suckling behavior of 26 cubs born between 2008 and 2012 at "El Acebuche" Iberian Lynx Breeding Centre. The cubs devoted 251 ± 19.7 min (mean ± SE) to lactation on the day of birth, while mothers spent 426 ± 27 min (mean ± SE) nursing their offspring. The time cubs spent suckling decreased exponentially as they grown, until they were fully weaned at 65 ± 2.6 days. The onset of weaning (first intake of solid food) occurred at 54 ± 1.35 days (mean ± SE). Thus, the strict lactation period occupied most of the overall lactation period. Both suckling and maternal behavior were affected by litter size. In twins and triplets, the competition between siblings caused a decrease in the time spent suckling, in spite of the mothers spending more time nursing their young. Finally, no significant differences were found in time spent suckling between littermates or depending on the sex of the cub. Lactation appeared to play a key role in the nutrition of the Iberian lynx and should therefore be conveniently managed in captive breeding programs of this threatened species. Zoo Biol. 35:216-221, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Domestic dog health worsens with socio-economic deprivation of their home communities

Dogs play an important role in infectious disease transmission as reservoir hosts of many zoonotic and wildlife pathogens. Nevertheless, unlike wildlife species involved in the life cycle of pathogens, whose health status might be a direct reflection of their fitness and competitive abilities, dog health condition could be sensitive to socio-economic factors impacting the well-being of their owners. Here, we compare several dog health indicators in three rural communities of Panama with different degrees of socio-economic deprivation. From a total of 78 individuals, we collected blood and fecal samples, and assessed their body condition. With the blood samples, we performed routine hematologic evaluation (complete blood counts) and measured cytokine levels (Interferon-γ and Interleukin-10) through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. With the fecal samples we diagnosed helminthiases. Dogs were also serologically tested for exposure to Trypanosoma cruzi and canine distemper virus, and molecular tests were done to assess T. cruzi infection status. We found significant differences between dog health measurements, pathogen prevalence, parasite richness, and economic status of the human communities where the dogs lived. We found dogs that were less healthy, more likely to be infected with zoonotic pathogens, and more likely to be seropositive to canine distemper virus in the communities with lower economic status. This study concludes that isolated communities of lower economic status in Panama may have less healthy dogs that could become major reservoirs in the transmission of diseases to humans and sympatric wildlife.

Revisiting food-based models of territoriality in solitary predators

Food availability is considered a major factor determining spacing behaviour in territorial species, especially for females. Theoretically, spatial overlap (considered the opposite of territoriality) and food availability are related in a nonlinear manner (hypothesized inverted-U function), with high overlap levels at the extremes of a food availability gradient and low overlap at intermediate levels of this gradient. Similar patterns are expected for encounter frequencies owing to its expected correlation with spatial overlap. However, these predictions have rarely been tested in highly structured social systems on a broad gradient of food availability, which implicitly requires experimental manipulation. We test these predictions in a solitary, territorial and trophic specialist, the Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus, taking advantage of a three-decade data set of spatial behaviour in different scenarios of food availability (i.e. rabbit density). In contrast with expectations, home range overlap among resident females was low (median overlap index = 0.08, range 0-0.57) and core area overlap was nearly nil (median overlap index = 0, range 0-0.22) throughout the entire gradient of prey availability. Furthermore, spatial associations between pairs of females were negligible regardless marked variation in prey availability. Therefore, we did not find support for a model of flexible lynx territoriality driven by food availability. Our results suggest that the exclusive use of space in the Iberian lynx was not related to food. Lack of influence of prey availability on lynx territoriality may be adaptive to cope with the consequences of frequent drought-induced periods of prey scarcity or other disturbance typically affecting wild rabbit populations in Mediterranean environments. Thus, lynx would adopt an obstinate strategy of territoriality that consists in defending exclusive areas across a broad range of resource availability ensuring an exclusive access to the minimum amount of prey necessary for survival and eventually reproduction even during periods of prey scarcity. However, we found signs that territoriality was influenced by lynx density in a nonlinear fashion. Our results suggest the occurrence of population regulation through territoriality in this species.

Lipolysis, lipid peroxidation, and color characteristics of Serrano Hams from Duroc and large white pigs during dry-curing

Lipolysis, lipid peroxidation, and colorimetric characteristics of Serrano hams from Duroc and Large White pigs along a 15-mo curing period were investigated. Physicochemical parameters of both types of hams evolved similarly during curing. Twelve of 13 free fatty acids (FFAs) increased during curing, eicosatrienoic acid being the only exception. Linoleic, stearic, and arachidonic acids and the minor heptadecanoic acid reached lower concentrations, and the rest of minor FFAs higher concentrations, in Duroc hams than in Large White hams. The index measuring the early stage of lipid peroxidation declined from month 5 onwards, indicating that the phenomenon had been completed by month 5, while the index of the secondary stage of lipid peroxidation increased with curing time. Higher values were found for the 1st index in Duroc hams. Curing affected color parameters. Lightness decreased and redness increased in both types of hams, while yellowness decreased only in Duroc hams. Lower redness values were found for Duroc hams. Major differences in color parameters were found between muscles. Principal components analysis of FFAs yielded 2 main principal components. The 1st factor, correlated with all FFAs excepting eicosatrienoic acid, allowed discrimination between curing times. The 2nd factor, correlated with eicosatrienoic acid, permitted discrimination between breeds.

Reducing biogenic-amine-producing bacteria, decarboxylase activity, and biogenic amines in raw milk cheese by high-pressure treatments

Biogenic amines may reach concentrations of public health concern in some cheeses. To minimize biogenic amine buildup in raw milk cheese, high-pressure treatments of 400 or 600 MPa for 5 min were applied on days 21 and 35 of ripening. On day 60, counts of lactic acid bacteria, enterococci, and lactobacilli were 1 to 2 log units lower in cheeses treated at 400 MPa and 4 to 6 log units lower in cheeses treated at 600 MPa than in control cheese. At that time, aminopeptidase activity was 16 to 75% lower in cheeses treated at 400 MPa and 56 to 81% lower in cheeses treated at 600 MPa than in control cheese, while the total free amino acid concentration was 35 to 53% higher in cheeses treated at 400 MPa and 3 to 15% higher in cheeses treated at 600 MPa, and decarboxylase activity was 86 to 96% lower in cheeses treated at 400 MPa and 93 to 100% lower in cheeses treated at 600 MPa. Tyramine, putrescine, and cadaverine were the most abundant amines in control cheese. The total biogenic amine concentration on day 60, which reached a maximum of 1.089 mg/g dry matter in control cheese, was 27 to 33% lower in cheeses treated at 400 MPa and 40 to 65% lower in cheeses treated at 600 MPa. On day 240, total biogenic amines attained a concentration of 3.690 mg/g dry matter in control cheese and contents 11 to 45% lower in cheeses treated at 400 MPa and 73 to 76% lower in cheeses treated at 600 MPa. Over 80% of the histidine and 95% of the tyrosine had been converted into histamine and tyramine in control cheese by day 60. Substrate depletion played an important role in the rate of biogenic amine buildup, becoming a limiting factor in the case of some amino acids.

Un modelo y un método para la transformación de la biblioteca escolar en centro de recursos de enseñanza y aprendizaje

El propósito de este trabajo es presentar un modelo y un método para la transformación de la biblioteca escolar en Centro de Recursos para la Enseñanza y el Aprendizaje que permita avanzar en la cultura bibliotecaria y la integración curricular de la alfabetización informacional en los centros públicos de enseñanza secundaria de la Comunidad de Madrid. Dichos modelo y método se proponen a partir de un estudio de la realidad y expectativas de la comunidad educativa madrileña, para el cual se realizaron encuestas a directores, profesores, responsables de bibliotecas y alumnos de 10 Institutos de Educación Secundaria. Los resultados del estudio sugieren la necesidad de un modelo de Centro de Recursos para la Enseñanza y el Aprendizaje integrado en la actividad escolar a cargo de un bibliotecario escolar cualificado y a tiempo completo, capaz de colaborar con los docentes en el desarrollo del currículo así como con otras bibliotecas. Para su implementación se propone un método de evaluación basado en indicadores relativos a aspectos clave de su actuación, así como una serie de aplicaciones prácticas del Centro de Recursos para la Enseñanza y el Aprendizaje en el ámbito escolar. Se concluye, finalmente, que el Centro de Recursos para la Enseñanza y el Aprendizaje así definido puede contribuir a potenciar la inclusión digital de los escolares.

Effect of lactoferrin and its derivatives against gram-positive bacteria in vitro and, combined with high pressure, in chicken breast fillets

The bactericidal activity of lactoferrin (LF), amidated lactoferrin (AMILF), pepsin digested lactoferrin (PDLF), and its activated (ALF) commercial form, against six strains of three gram-positive bacterial species was investigated. Listeria monocytogenes was most sensitive in vitro, Staphylococcus aureus showed a moderate resistance, and Enterococus faecalis was highly resistant to antimicrobials. When chicken breast fillets were inoculated with L. monocytogenes CECT5725 and treated with antimicrobials, reductions were below 0.5 logCFU/ml in all cases. In combination with high pressure (HHP) treatment at 400 MPa for 10 min, antimicrobials showed a slight additional bactericidal effect, always below 1 logCFU/g. Incorporation of antimicrobials 18 h before or 1 h after HHP treatment generally yielded better results than incorporation 1 h before HHP treatment, although reductions remained below 1.5 logCFU/g in all cases. LF and its derivatives showed a limited potential for pathogen control in meat.

Assessment of the conservation efforts to prevent extinction of the Iberian lynx

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) may be the first charismatic felid to become extinct in a high-income country, despite decades of study and much data that show extinction is highly probable. The International Union for Conservation of Nature categorizes it as critically endangered; about 200 free-ranging individuals remain in two populations in southern Spain. Conservation measures aimed at averting extirpation have been extensively undertaken with 4 of the former 10 Iberian lynx populations recorded 25 years ago. Two of the four populations have been extirpated. The number of individuals in the third population have declined by 83%, and in the fourth the probability of extirpation has increased from 34% to 95%. Major drivers of the pending extinction are the small areas to which conservation measures have been applied; lack of incorporation of evidence-based conservation, scientific monitoring, and adaptive management into conservation efforts; a lack of continuity in recovery efforts, and distrust by conservation agencies of scientific information. In contrast to situations in which conservation and economic objectives conflict, in the case of the Iberian lynx all stakeholders desire the species to be conserved.

Short communication: Antimicrobial effect of lactoferrin and its amidated and pepsin-digested derivatives against Salmonella Enteritidis and Pseudomonas fluorescens

The antimicrobial effect of bovine lactoferrin (LF) and its amidated and pepsin-digested derivatives, at concentrations varying from 0.25 to 20 mg/mL, against 3 Salmonella Enteritidis strains and 3 Pseudomonas fluorescens strains was investigated. Lactoferrin showed its maximum antimicrobial effect at 10 mg/mL against the 3 Salmonella strains, with reductions ranging from 1.3 to 2.0 log units, and the 3 Pseudomonas strains, with reductions ranging from 1.8 to 5.4 log units. In the case of amidated LF, the maximum effect on the 3 Salmonella strains was recorded at 0.25 mg/mL, with reductions in the range of 0.8 to 1.2 log units, whereas it was recorded at 1 mg/mL for the 3 Pseudomonas strains, with reductions in the range of 4.4 to 6.0 log units. Pepsin-digested LF showed its maximum antimicrobial effect at 1 mg/mL against the 3 Salmonella strains, with reductions ranging from 2.6 to 3.4 log units, and at 20 mg/mL against the 3 Pseudomonas strains, with reductions ranging from 4.5 to 5.4 log units. It is worth noting the pronounced effect (reductions exceeding 2.5 log units) of a low (1 mg/mL) concentration of pepsin-digested LF, which is naturally formed in the gastrointestinal tract, on Salmonella and Pseudomonas strains. A highly significant inverse correlation was found between capsule polysaccharide levels of bacterial strains and their lethality in the presence of different concentrations of amidated lactoferrin.

Development of a geographical distribution model of Rhodnius pallescens Barber, 1932 using environmental data recorded by remote sensing

Rhodnius pallescens, main vector of Trypanosoma cruzi in Panama and secondary vector in Colombia, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, represents an important epidemiological risk in those countries. It occupies sylvatic ecotopes, and because of this its distribution and abundance could be conditioned by environmental factors. In this work, we integrated environmental variables recorded by remote sensing and data of R. pallescens presence in the countries mentioned above in order to know the environmental variables with better capacity to describe the insects' distribution, which will help to entomological surveillance and control. Standard discriminant analysis (DA) was used to determine if there is a significant difference in the environmental variation between the presence and the absence sites of R. pallescens. Forward stepwise discriminant analysis (fDA) was used to determine the environmental variables which better discriminated between presence and absence sites, and to construct a predictive map of geographical distribution. Univariate analyses were used to determine the discriminatory power of individual variables. The model derived from DA showed 89% of sensitivity and 92.8% of specificity. Multivariate and univariate analyses showed the vapor pressure deficit minimum as the principal variable among the nine most important to describe the distribution of the species, which is in agreement with the R. pallescens stenohydric status. Map shows insects' distribution predicted by environmental variables, and moreover includes the distribution of most species belonging to Rhodnius genus, except R. domesticus, R. nasutus and R. neglectus. We interpreted these results as a reflection of the common evolution of the most Rhodnius species, except for the last ones that probably evolved isolated due to particular environmental conditions. In conclusion, this study showed that a reduced number of environmental variables can predict the distribution of R. pallescens and related species. This methodology can be very useful to make critical decisions for vectorial surveillance and control of Chagas disease vectors.