Microbiological Characteristics Research Articles

Natural pre-treatment in raisins production: Effects on quality during storage

BRS Vitoria raisins were produced with a pre-treatment using a natural surfactant, i.e., extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), to (i) better elucidate its action on the grape surface using scanning electron microscopy; (ii) evaluate its influence on the oleanolic and ursolic acid content of raisins through HPLC-DAD; (iii) assess raisins characteristics during 180-day storage at different temperatures by using physicochemical and microbiological analyses with multivariate-based chemometric methods (MASLT). Grapes which presented adequate physicochemical characteristics and high concentration of anthocyanins originated raisins similar to those reported in the literature. The pre-treatment accelerated the dehydration process (about 26%) mainly because of the non-uniform redistribution of the surface waxy components accompanied by the formation of microholes and cracks. The small amount of EVOO used did not affect the oleanolic acid content in raisins, yet this compound proved to resist drying, which means that there is no loss of wax during the pre-treatment. For both untreated (RW) and pre-treated raisins (RP), the main changes triggered over time were not related to microbiological characteristics. Most of the changes appeared to occur right during drying and not during storage for RW, whereas for RP the physicochemical characteristics that mostly correlated with the storage changes were total monomeric anthocyanins, total acidity, and total sugars; also, they tended to reach an equilibrium and equaled RW at the end of 180 days, especially at 35 °C. These parameters proved to be the main characteristics related to the changes triggered in raisins. For both raisins, sugar crystals were formed in the flesh, but they were not visible to the naked eye or perceived by consumers. The results show that it is highly desirable to have a high-quality product at the beginning of storage, which was possible thanks to the EVOO pre-treatment used.

Comparing the microbiological characteristics of early vs late enteral feeding tube exit site infection

Comparing the microbiological characteristics of early vs late enteral feeding tube exit site infection

Early Intervention in Septic Arthritis of the Hand, Optimizing Patient Outcomes in Hand Infections—A Five-Year Retrospective Study

Background and Objectives: Hand septic arthritis is a potentially debilitating condition that can significantly affect patient functionality and quality of life. Understanding the demographic, clinical, and microbiological characteristics of this condition is crucial for its effective treatment and management. : This study aimed to analyze the demographic and clinical profiles of patients with hand septic arthritis, to identify common microbial pathogens, and to evaluate the impact of various factors on clinical course and treatment outcomes. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study examined patients diagnosed with septic arthritis of the hand, focusing on their demographic data, clinical presentation, causative organisms, treatment methods, and outcomes. Data on age, sex, cause of infection, affected sites, surgical interventions, microbiological findings, and patient outcomes were also collected. Results: This study found a higher prevalence of septic arthritis in males and identified bite as the predominant cause. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen. A large number of patients did not exhibit bacterial growth, and bacterial resistance did not significantly affect the outcome. Outcomes were statistically influenced by the timing of medical presentation and the presence of comorbidities. Conclusions: Early diagnosis and intervention are critical for effective management of hand septic arthritis. This study underscores the need for a comprehensive approach that considers patient demographic and clinical characteristics to optimize treatment outcomes. Awareness and preventive measures are essential to reduce the incidence and severity of this condition.

Microbial assessment of commercial pet foods marketed in the United Arab Emirates

Examining the microbiological characteristics of pet food is imperative to safeguard the health and well-being of companion animals, pet owners, and the surrounding environment. Domestic animals, known for carrying harmful microorganisms, pose a significant health risk, especially in close proximity to people and children. Notably, no studies have previously investigated pet food quality in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, in particular, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study examined the microbiological quality of all stock keeping units (SKUs) of pet foods marketed in UAE (n = 118). Parameters assessed include Total Aerobic Microbial Count (TAMC), Enterobacteriaceae, Total Yeast and Mold Count (TYMC), Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Clostridium species. Among the 118 samples, 33 (28%) exceeded the acceptable TAMC limit of 106 CFU/g, highlighting significant variations based on manufacturers and ingredients. Eight samples (7%) surpassed the maximum Enterobacteriaceae limit of 3 × 102 CFU/g. TYMC levels exhibited variation, with 33 (28%) exceeding the limit of 104 CFU/g. L. monocytogenes was identified in 44 (37%) of the samples, while Salmonella was not detected. Clostridium contamination was observed in 28 (24%) of the samples. Statistical analyses revealed associations between pet food characteristics and microbial quality, underscoring the imperative for international standards to ensure the safety of pet food. These findings carry significant implications for pet owners, regulatory bodies, and the pet food industry, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts to enhance the overall quality and safety of pet food products.

#2355 Eradication of Staphylococcus aureus carriage in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis

Abstract Background and Aims Peritonitis is a common and serious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). A single episode of severe peritonitis or multiple peritonitis episodes frequently leads to diminished peritoneal ultrafiltration capacity, hospitalization, and a switch to hemodialysis. Prevention of infection is the mainstay for the reduction of peritonitis rate. According to the current guidelines, we use nasal antibiotic prophylaxis if patients are identified as nasal Staphylococcus aureus carriers on screening prior to PD beginning. Eradication of S. aureus Regular with nasal mupirocin reduces the rate of exit-site infections but has uncertain effects on the risk of peritonitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of S. aureus peritonitis in our cohort of patients receiving PD. Method A retrospective single-center study was conducted in a large Italian PD center. We reviewed all cases of bacterial peritonitis from 1999 to 2023. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients and microbiological features of the bacteria identified in cultures were extracted from electronic health record. From 2011, all patients were screened before surgery for Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) with nares swabs. All patients with positive nasal colonization for MSSA and MRSA were treated with nasal mupirocin (nasal ointment twice daily for 5 consecutive days every 4 weeks) until eradication was confirmed by a nasal swab. According to our protocol, from 2011, screening for S. aureus carriage along peritoneal fluid culture was performed in all patients on PD with an episode of peritonitis to verify nasal colonization with S. aureus. The study was approved by the regional ethical committee of Emilia Romagna (507/2021/OSS/AOUMO SIRER ID 2845). Results Overall, 345 cases of peritonitis were reviewed in 214 patients who received peritoneal dialysis. In our center, the rate of peritonitis was 0.23 episodes/patient-year. After the introduction of nasal screening for S. aureus carriage, the episodes of S. aureus peritonitis decreased in frequency (0.0093 episodes/patient-year vs. 0.034 episodes/patient-year) and as absolute number (17.8% vs 3.6%; p = 0.001). No differences were observed in the rate of catheter removal in the two populations (p = 0.99). The age of 109 patients screened for S. aureus carriage was 64.1 ± 17 years. Males accounted for 58.9% and automated PD (APD) was chosen by 66% of the subjects. After an average period of 1.6 years from the start of PD, 7 patients experienced S. aureus peritonitis in the absence of exit-site or tunnel catheter infection. Nasal screening at the time of peritonitis showed that half of them were carriers of S. aureus and half were negative (one patient was not screened). Colonization from S. aureus was found in another 9 patients whose peritonitis was caused by a different type of bacteria (44% S. epidermidis, 33.3% Enterobacteriaceae, 11.1% Acinetobacter, and 11.1% culture-negative peritonitis). Conclusion Our data document that screening for S. aureus, along with other preventive measures, contributes to significantly reducing the rate of S. aureus peritonitis in patients screened and treated for S. aureus carriage at the time of PD start. Routine screening and the use of a mask during connection are required because recolonization occurs frequently in this population.

The effect of skim milk powder on physical, chemical, and microbiology characteristics of goat milk kefir powder

This research was to determine the effect of skim milk powder fillers on the physical, chemical, and microbiology of goat's milk kefir powder. The benefit obtained from this research is that it can increase the diversification of fermented milk products that have a long shelf life. This research used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 5 treatments and 4 replications. The treatments were P1: Addition of 0% (w/v) powder skim milk filler, P2: Addition of 2.5% (w/v) powder skim milk filler, P3: Addition of 5% (w/v) powder skim milk filler, P4: Addition of 7.5% (w/v) powder skim milk filler and P5: Addition of 10% (w/v) powder skim milk filler. The results showed that the addition of skim milk fillers has a significant effect (P<0.05) on yield, solubility, total dissolved solids, total acid, pH value, water content, fat carbohydrate content, and microbiological quality which has no significant effect (P>0.05) on viscosity, protein content and ash content. The conclusion that can be obtained is the addition of 2.5% skim milk filler is the best treatment.

Distinct clinical endpoints of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia complicate assessment of outcome.

We aimed to test the hypothesis that development of metastatic infection represents a distinct clinical endpoint from death due to SAB. We conducted a retrospective observational study of adults with SAB between 20/12/2019 and 23/08/2022 (n=464). Simple logistic regression, odds ratios, and z-scores were used to compare host, clinical and microbiologic features. Co-occurrence of attributable mortality and metastatic infection was infrequent. Charlson Comorbidity Index and age were strongly associated with attributable mortality, but not metastatic infection. We compared patients with fatal SAB (without clinically-apparent metastatic complications, 14·4% of cohort), metastatic SAB (without attributable mortality, 22·2%), neither complication (56·7%), and overlapping fatal/metastatic SAB (6·7%). Compared to SAB without complications, fatal SAB was specifically associated with older age and multi-morbidity. Metastatic SAB was specifically associated with community acquisition, persistent fever, persistent bacteraemia, and recurrence. Endocarditis was over-represented in the fatal/metastatic SAB overlap group, which shared patient characteristics with fatal SAB. In contrast to other (predominantly musculoskeletal) metastatic complications, endocarditis was associated with increased mortality, with death occurring in older multi-morbid patients later after SAB onset. Patients with SAB experience distinct clinical endpoints: (i) early death, associated with multi-morbidity and age; (ii) metastatic (predominantly musculoskeletal) SAB; (iii) endocarditis, associated with late death occurring in older people with multi-morbidity, and (iv) bacteraemia without complications. These distinctions could be important for selecting appropriate outcomes in clinical trials: different interventions might be required to reduce mortality vs. improve clinical response in patients with metastatic SAB.

Clinical phenotype of anaerobic bacteremia unaccompanied by detectable abscess lesion: a 10-year retrospective, multicenter, observational-cohort study.

Despite the importance of abscess lesions in clinical decisions regarding anaerobic bacteremia (AB), their impact on clinical characteristics remains unclear. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the clinical factors associated with AB that were unaccompanied by detectable abscess lesions during the initial phase of infection. This was a multicenter retrospective observational study involving patients with culture-proven AB at six tertiary hospitals in Japan between January 2012 and March 2022. Data on clinical characteristics, laboratory and radiological findings were collected, and their associations with the absence of detectable abscess lesions were analyzed. In total, 393 participants were included. Abscess lesions were absent in 42.7% of the entire cohort and detectable in the remaining patients. No differences were identified in the malignancy, severity, or 30-day mortality between patients with and without detectable abscess lesions. Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and the modified Charlson comorbidity score revealed that the immunosuppressive status (febrile neutropenia or corticosteroid use), C-reactive protein (CRP) level ≤9.8mg/dL at onset, and the presence of gram-positive anaerobic rods (GPARs) were independently associated with AB unaccompanied by detectable abscess lesions [odds ratios (ORs) 3.24, 3.00, and 2.81, respectively; p<0.05]. This study elucidated distinctive clinical and microbiological characteristics of AB unaccompanied by detectable abscess lesions, with relatively lower CRP elevation, immunosuppressive status, and GPARs as the causative anaerobes.

Breakthrough Invasive Fungal Infections in Patients With High-Risk Hematological Disorders Receiving Voriconazole and Posaconazole Prophylaxis: A Systematic Review.

Primary antifungal prophylaxis with mold-active azoles is used to prevent invasive fungal infections in patients with high-risk hematological disorders; however, breakthrough infections occur, and the reasons for treatment failure are still not fully understood. To help inform clinical decisions, we sought to define microbiological, clinical, and pharmacological characteristics of proven and probable breakthrough invasive fungal infections (bIFIs) in patients with high-risk hematological disorders receiving voriconazole or posaconazole prophylaxis. We performed a systematic review of the literature following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search strategy was last conducted on 19 April 2023. We assessed 5293 studies for eligibility, and 300 were selected for data extraction. These studies described 1076 cases of bIFIs occurring under voriconazole (42.5%) or posaconazole (57.5%). The most commonly found pathogens were Aspergillus (40%), Mucorales (20%), Candida (18%), and Fusarium (9%) species. Mucorales were more frequent among voriconazole-emerging cases, whereas Aspergillus and Fusarium were more prevalent among posaconazole-emerging cases. Definitive, putative, or probable antifungal resistance was found in 31% of cases. Therapeutic drug monitoring showed subtherapeutic azole concentration in 32 of 90 (36%) cases. Infection-related mortality was reported in 117 cases and reached 35%. In our systemic review, the most common bIFIs were aspergillosis, mucormycosis, candidiasis, and fusariosis. Antifungal resistance explains only a minority of cases. Subtherapeutic prophylaxis was frequent but rarely reported. Prospective studies are needed to better understand these infections and to establish optimal management.

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus invasive infections: a case series from Central-South Chile

The emergence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections at the end of the 20th century represents a significant shift in the epidemiology of staphylococcal infections and, consequently, their clinical management. There are diverse CA-MRSA clones that are widely spread worldwide, showing differences in their regional dissemination, which has been dynamically changing over time. Although the first CA-MRSA description occurred about 30 years ago, its epidemiology in certain regions, such as South America, has been poorly explored, resulting in a gap in the understanding of the epidemiology of CA-MRSA in under-represented countries/regions. This report describes the first four clinical cases of invasive infections caused by CA-MRSA in a tertiary hospital in the central-southern region of Chile. It also associates the clinical characteristics of the infections with the microbiological and molecular features of the isolates. The four S. aureus isolates belong to sequence type 8, which has been widely described as a cause of community-acquired infections. All of them presented a wide resistome and virulome. Additionally, in two of them, it was possible to reconstruct the COMER genetic element, present in the USA300-Latin American variant clone. Considering these findings, it is crucial to prepare for a potential increase in invasive CA-MRSA infections in Chile. This would involve enhancing current surveillance systems and maintaining a low threshold of suspicion for these infections among clinicians.

Characteristics and Outcome of Vascular Graft Infections - A Risk Factor and Survival Analysis

Abstract Background Vascular graft infection (VGI) is a serious complication after implantation of arterial vascular grafts. Optimal surgical and pathogen-specific antimicrobial treatment regimens for VGI are largely unknown. We evaluated patients with arterial VGI according to onset, location, microbiological and imaging characteristics, surgical and antimicrobial treatment and performed an outcome evaluation. Methods Consecutive patients with VGI treated in two hospitals from 2010 through 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Uniform definition criteria and standardized outcome evaluation were applied. Logistic regression was used for multiple analysis, survival analysis was performed with Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. Results Seventy-eight patients with VGI were included, consisting of 30 early-onset (&amp;lt;8 weeks after graft implantation) and 48 late-onset cases, involving 49 aortic and 29 peripheral grafts. The median time from initial implantation to diagnosis of VGI was significantly longer in aortic than peripheral VGIs (363 days vs. 56 days, p = 0.018). Late-onset VGI (OR 7.3, p = 0.005) and the presence of surgical site infection/complication (OR 8.21, p = 0.006) were independent risk factors for treatment failure. Surgical site infection/complication was associated with higher risk for early-onset VGI (OR 3.13, p = 0.040). Longer infection-free survival was observed in cases where the infected graft was surgically removed (p = 0.037). Conclusion This study underlines the importance of timely diagnosis of VGI and preventing surgical site infections/complications at graft implantation. It highlights the complexity of infection eradication, especially of late-onset infections, and the importance of adequate antimicrobial and surgical treatment.

Assessment of the technological, physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of the fermented dough used to produce &lt;i&gt;O’moabu&lt;/i&gt; in the Eastern region of Burkina Faso

O'moabu is a traditional dough made from fermented cereal dough by the Gourmachema tribe in the East Region of Burkina Faso. The technological, physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of this food, have been poorly documented. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of the fermented dough used in the production of O'moabu. Data on production technology were collected through a survey. Physicochemical, microbiological and biochemical analyses were conducted using standard methods. The assessment enabled the generation of a typical production diagram for O'moabu. Concerning physicochemical characteristics, pH ranged from 5.57 ± 0.02 to 6.08 ± 0.02, while titratable acidity varied between 0.41 ± 0.01 and 1.04 ± 0.01 g lactic acid/100 g. Regarding microbiological characteristics, total aerobic mesophilic flora ranged from 1.1x105 ± 27 to 4.6x107 ± 10 CFU/g, yeasts from 5x102 ± 37 to 9.5x104 ± 33 CFU/ g and lactic acid bacteria from 1x104 ± 25 to 6.7x105 ± 27 CFU/g. Morphological and biochemical tests showed that the yeast isolates belonged to the genera Saccharomyces sp. (50%), Candida sp. (18.75%), Torulaspora sp. (25%) and Kluyeverommyces sp. (6.25%). The lactic acid bacteria belonged to the genera Lactobacillus sp. (37.5%), Streptococcus sp. (12.5%), Leuconostoc sp. (25%) and others genera (25%). These yeasts and lactic acid bacteria work in symbiosis to ferment O'moabu dough.

Mosquitoes harvested from rice fields as alternative protein ingredient in broiler feed: insights from the first pilot study.

Global population continuous growth and increasing consumers' demands for protein-rich diets have posed sustainability challenges for traditional livestock feed sources. Consequently, exploring alternative and sustainable protein sources has become imperative to address the environmental burden and resource limitations associated with conventional ingredients. With respect to food security assurance, insects have emerged as a promising solution due to their exceptional nutritional profile, rapid reproduction rates, and low environmental impact. In the present pilot study, 10% of a soybean meal-based diet was replaced by adult mosquitoes harvested from rice fields. The objective was to assess the effect of this partial substitution on meat quality aspects and consumer acceptance. A total of 40 Cobb hybrid broiler chickens were randomly placed in a control and a mosquito-fed group. The study was conducted for 42 days and carcass physicochemical, nutritional, and microbiological characteristics, as well as sensory attributes were evaluated. Overall, results regarding quality attributes were comparable between the control and the treatment group. The organoleptic evaluation showed that the thighs from the mosquito-fed group had the highest overall consumer acceptance. These outcomes indicate that mosquitoes could be successfully used as a protein source for broiler feed without compromising the quality and acceptability of the meat.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for right-sided infective endocarditis in Korea: a 12-year retrospective cohort study

Right-sided infective endocarditis (RSIE) is less common than left-sided infective endocarditis (LSIE) and exhibits distinct epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological characteristics. Previous studies have focused primarily on RSIE in patients with intravenous drug use. We investigated the characteristics and risk factors for RSIE in an area where intravenous drug use is uncommon. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in South Korea. Patients diagnosed with infective endocarditis between November 2005 and August 2017 were categorized into LSIE and RSIE groups. Of the 406 patients, 365 (89.9%) had LSIE and 41 (10.1%) had RSIE. The mortality rates were 31.7% in the RSIE group and 31.5% in the LSIE group (P = 0.860). Patients with RSIE had a higher prevalence of infection with Staphylococcus aureus (29.3% vs. 13.7%, P = 0.016), coagulase-negative staphylococci (17.1% vs. 6.0%, P = 0.022), and gram-negative bacilli other than HACEK (12.2% vs. 2.2%, P = 0.003). Younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95–0.99, P = 0.006), implanted cardiac devices (aOR 37.75, 95% CI 11.63–141.64, P ≤ 0.001), and central venous catheterization (aOR 4.25, 95% CI 1.14–15.55, P = 0.029) were independent risk factors for RSIE. Treatment strategies that consider the epidemiologic and microbiologic characteristics of RSIE are warranted.

Physicochemical, rheological, sensory, and proximal properties of yogurt flavored with&amp;nbsp;Aloe vera gel

Aloe vera leaves have a transparent mucilaginous, showing an important polysaccharides content and potential bioactive phytochemicals. This study evaluated the physicochemical, rheological, sensorial, and proximal properties of yogurt elaborated using Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus and flavored with Aloe vera gel. Previous studies have shown that the variation of some ingredients, such as the percentage of fat or inoculum, can modify the sensory and rheological characteristics of fermented dairy beverages. Different treatments were prepared using a 2n factorial design varying the percentage of fat (2 and 3%), inoculum (2 and 3%), and Aloe vera gel (5 and 10%).All the samples presented pseudoplastic behavior, and the power law equation showed a better fit in all the samples. The higher percentage of inoculum decreased the fermentation time and increased the apparent viscosity. An increase in fat concentration amplified yogurt&amp;rsquo;s pH, &amp;deg;Brix, and pseudoplastic behavior. Meanwhile, the gel increased the percentage of syneresis and decreased the apparent viscosity.The formulation with 3% fat, 3% inoculum, and 5% Aloe vera gel obtained higher values in these sensory parameters of smell, flavor, appearance, and acceptability. The production of supplemented probiotic yogurt- up to 5% Aloe vera gel is feasible from an industrial and consumer point of view since it shows acceptable sensory, nutritional, and microbiological characteristics.

LEMON LEAF ESSENTIAL OIL AS NATURAL FOOD PRESERVATIVE IN FRESH CHEESE

In recent years, there has been a noticeable surge in exploring alternative methods for the conservation of dairy products, favoring the use of essential oils over synthetic preservatives. The trend toward natural solutions reflects a broader demand for healthier and more sustainable food preservation choices. The aim of this study is to monitor changes in the physico-chemical, sensory, and microbiological characteristics of a milk-derived product eventually induced by the incorporation of lemon essential oil (LEO) of leaf at different concentrations (0.125%, 0.5%, and 1.25%). LEO incorporation showed an effect (P&lt;0.05) on pH, dry matter, titratable acidity, ash, aerobic mesophilic flora, and lactic acid bacteria of the control and aromatized cheeses. In addition, no pathogenic flora growth was observed in aromatized cheese. Thus, LEO is a promoting agent in the preservation and aromatization of fresh cheese and can be applied at 0.5%.

Physical-chemical and microbiological characterization of water destined to hemodialysis

This research evaluated the physical-chemical and microbiological parameters of water and dialysate in four distinct hemodialysis units located in the southeast region of Brazil. The physical-chemical parameters evaluated were pH, electric conductivity, turbidity, alkalinity, free chlorine, nitrate, fluoride, chloride, sulfate, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium ion concentrations. Microcystin was also quantified. The microbiological parameters evaluated were the detection of total coliform, total heterotrophic bacteria count (THB), and the isolation and identification of microorganisms in pre-reverse osmosis treatment and post-reverse osmosis treatment water samples and dialysate. The nitrate, fluoride and THB levels found in the water samples may present risk to the patient under hemodialysis treatment. Microcystin was detected in one of the potable water samples. Microorganisms were identified throughout the hemodialysis of the entire water treatment system, with Ralstonia sp. being the most frequent. The presence of emergent pathogenic bacteria highlighted in this study highlights the necessity of microbiological monitoring of water destined for hemodialysis. Keywords: dialysate, hemodialysis, water treatment.

Effect of combining ultrasound and UVC treatments for processing orange juice and mango nectar on their microbiological, physicochemical, and sensory characteristics

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of ultrasound (US), UVC radiation, and combined US+UVC treatments on the inactivation of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria (TAMB) and mold and yeast in orange juice and mango nectar. The microbial inactivation after each treatment, physicochemical and sensory properties of treated products, and the microbial response during their storage at 4 °C for 12 days were assessed. Fresh squeezed orange juice and mango nectar were treated by US, UVC, or US+UVC treatments for 20 min at 15 °C; the initial TAMB and mold and yeast counts were determined. The combined treatment US+UVC showed a better inactivation level in TAMB, molds, and yeasts in orange juice and mango nectar, resulting in lower microbial counts at the storage end. Titrable acidity, °Brix, and pH remained unchanged, while ascorbic acid losses and color changes were observed. Additionally, the sedimentation index (SI) was analyzed during the storage of orange juice, observing that US+UVC reduced the SI and stabilized the orange juice for 12 days. For all tested conditions, mango nectar preserved its sensory properties. Industrial relevanceCombining food processing technologies such as ultrasound (US) and UVC radiation can improve the process's effectiveness. The US+UVC treatment enhanced the microbial inactivation (total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and mold and yeast) of orange juice and mango nectar, reduced the orange juice's sedimentation index during storage, and did not modify the sensory properties of mango nectar. Thus, the combined US+UVC treatment is an alternative to sustainably preserving and stabilizing orange juice and mango nectar.

Nocardia infection in patients with anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies: a prospective multicenter French study

Abstract Background Nocardiosis, a bacterial opportunistic infection caused by Nocardia spp., has recently been reported in patients with anti-Granulocyte Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) autoantibodies but insufficient data are available about disease presentation, outcomes, and occurrence of autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) in this population. Methods We performed a prospective, multicenter, nationwide study in France and included patients with a Nocardia infection who had anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies. We describe their clinical, microbiological, and radiological characteristics, and their outcome at 1 year of follow-up. Results Twenty patients were included, 18 (90%) men, median age 69 [44-75] years. The organs most frequently involved were the brain (14/20; 70%) and the lung (12/20; 60%). Half of the infections were disseminated (10/20; 50%). Nocardia identification was predominantly made in abscess fluid (17/20; 85%) among which 10 (59%) were brain abscesses. The one-year all-cause mortality was 5% (1/20) and only one case of aPAP (1/20; 5%) occurred during the follow-up period. Conclusions Nocardiosis with anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies is associated with a low mortality rate despite a high incidence of brain involvement. Although the occurrence of aPAP was infrequent during the one-year follow-up period, long-term clinical data are needed to fully understand the potential relationship between nocardiosis, anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies, and aPAP.

Significance of chemical reaction and viscous dissipation on magnetized-Marangoni convective flow of dusty Casson hybrid (AA7072+AA7075/sodium alginate) nanofluid with Soret and Dufour effects

ABSTRACT In the current study, mass and heat transfer flow of radiated Casson hybrid nanofluid with nanoparticles and dust deferment over sheet are explored. The Soret and Dufour effects, activation energy and microorganisms in the hybrid nanofluid model are described. Marangoni convection, a prominent occurrence in microgravity caused by surface tension gradients. It can be used for many different things, such as the creation of molten crystals, thin-film diffusion, the generation of vapour bubbles during nucleation, and semiconductor manufacturing. In sodium alginate, we wondered about the aluminium alloys AA7072 and AA7075. The aluminium alloys included in this study are specially made materials with improved heat transmission characteristics. aluminium and zinc are combined in AA7072 alloy in the ratios of 98 & 1, respectively, with the addition of silicon, ferrous metals, and copper. Similarly, AA7075 is a blend of aluminium, magnesium, zinc, and copper in the proportions of ~ 90, ~3, ~6, and ~ 1, respectively, with silicon ferrous and magnesium as additional metals. The controlling PDEs are transformed into nonlinear ODEs with the aid of a new set of similarity variables. These ODEs are then numerically solved using the RKF-45th method. The findings show that when the Marangoni convection parameter increases, the concentration, temperature, and microbiological characteristics drop while the velocity profile increases for both the dust and fluid phases.