Pathogenic potential of the surviving Salmonella Enteritidis on strawberries after disinfection treatments based on ultraviolet-C light and peracetic acid.

Fresh fruits, especially strawberries, are usually consumed raw without any step to ensure their food safety. Salmonella enterica is one of the most important etiologic agents for foodborne diseases throughout the world and its ability to respond to some stress responses makes it even more dangerous. In the present investigation, we study the survival of S. Enteritidis (CECT-4300) on strawberries after 2-min of various disinfection steps (NaClO (200 ppm), peracetic acid (PAA; 40 ppm), water-assisted UV-C (WUV-C), and the combination WUV-C and 40 ppm of PAA (WUV-C + PAA)) and after 5 days of cold storage (4 °C). Moreover, the pathogenic potential of the surviving bacteria, such as the ability to survive throughout the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and subsequently the capability to adhere to and invade Caco-2 cells, was tested at each sampling point. After 2-min of washing procedures, reductions of S. Enteritidis on strawberries were ≥1.2 log, with no significant differences among treatments. However, the use of WUV-C + PAA treatment achieved the highest reductions in washing water, in which S. Enteritidis was not detected (

Effects of packaging type and storage temperature on the growth of foodborne pathogens on shredded 'Romaine' lettuce.

Fresh produce can be a vehicle for the transmission of pathogens capable of causing human illnesses and some of them can grow on fresh-cut vegetables. The survival and growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes inoculated onto shredded lettuce was determined under modified atmosphere packaging conditions, at various storage temperatures. We also monitored changes in pH and gas atmospheres within the packages and the growth of psychrotrophic and mesophilic microorganisms. After pathogen inoculation, shredded lettuce was packaged in films of different permeability and stored at 5 and 25 degrees C. After 10 days at 5 degrees C populations of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella decreased approximately 1.00 log unit while L. monocytogenes increased about 1.00 log unit, in all package films. Moreover, the pathogens level increased between 2.44 and 4.19 log units after 3 days at 25 degrees C. Psychrotrophic and mesophilic bacteria had similar growth at both temperatures with higher populations in air than in the other atmospheres. The composition of the storage atmosphere within the packaging of lettuce had no significant effect on the survival and growth of the pathogens used in this study at refrigeration temperatures. The results obtained can be considered as a warning indicator, which reinforces the necessity for corrective measures to avoid contamination of vegetables.

[Estimate of osteoporosis fracture risk with ultrasound bone assessment]. / Estimación del riesgo de fracturas osteoporóticas mediante medición ultrasónica del hueso.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies suggest that ultrasound measurement of the bone can be a rapid, cheap, and radiation-free alternative to determine the fracture risk. In this paper the ultrasound measurement of the bone was performed among 288 postmenopausal women, and the influence of gynecologic history and factors related to lifestyle on the obtained values was examined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred nineteen healthy postmenopausal women and 169 women with previous osteoporotic fractures were included in the study. Both weight and height were determined and a clinical questionnaire was administered to assess factors related to bone mineral density. The values of broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) were obtained with a contact ultrasound analyzer. RESULTS: Among women without fractures the mean BUA and SOS values (64.1 [14.9] and 1,601.1 [34.5], respectively) were significantly higher than mean BUA (48.8 [17.3]) and SOS (1,573 [57.8]) values among women with fractures (p < 0.001). Using the logistic regression analysis for predicting fracture risk, the model that suited best was that including BUA (OR = 0.668 [0.544-0.818]), age (OR = 1.102 [1.055-1.151]), age at postmenopause (OR = 0.794 [0.731-0.862]) and height (OR = 0.932 [0.883-0.983]). The area under the curve for this model was 0.871. CONCLUSIONS: BUA and SOS values are lower among women with osteoporotic fractures. The fracture risk can be predicted by means of a model including the variables BUA, age, postmenopausal age, and height.

Estimación del riesgo de fracturas osteoporóticas mediante medición ultrasónica del hueso / Assessment of osteoporotic fracture risk by ultrasound measurement of the bone

Fundamento. Múltiples estudios sugieren que la medición ultrasónica del hueso puede ser una alternativa rápida, barata y sin radiación para determinar el riesgo de fracturas. En este trabajo hemos realizado medición ultrasónica del hueso en 288 mujeres posmenopáusicas, analizando la influencia de la historia ginecológica y de factores relacionados con el estilo de vida en los valores obtenidos. Pacientes y métodos. Se incluyeron 119 mujeres postmenopáusicas sanas y 169 con fracturas osteoporóticas previas. Se midió peso y talla y se realizó un cuestionario clínico para valoración de los factores relacionados con la densidad mineral ósea. Se obtuvieron las medidas de atenuación ultrasónica de banda ancha (BUA) y velocidad del sonido (VS) con un analizador ultrasónico de contacto. Resultados. En las mujeres sin fracturas los valores medios de BUA y VS (64,1 [14,9] y 1.601,1 [34,5], respectivamente) fueron significativamente superiores a los de BUA (48,8 [17,3]) y VS (1.573,6 [57,8]) en las mujeres con fracturas (p < 0,001). En el análisis de regresión logística para predicción del riesgo de fracturas el modelo que mejor se ajustaba era el que incluía BUA (OR = 0,668 [0,544-0,818]), edad (OR = 1,102 [1,055-1,151]), edad de la menopausia (OR = 0,794 [0,731-0,862]) y talla (OR = 0,932 [0,883-0,983]).El área bajo la curva receiver operating characteristic (ROC) de este modelo fue 0,871. Conclusiones. Los valores de BUA y VS son inferiores en las mujeres con fracturas osteoporóticas. El riesgo de fractura se puede predecir a través de un modelo que incluya las variables BUA, edad, edad de la menopausia y talla (AU)

[Mortality in Catalonia: description and comparison by age and sex]. / La mortalitat a Catalunya: descripció i comparació per edat i sexe.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the fit of the parametric mortality laws proposed by Heligman and Pollard to the mortality experience of Catalonia (Spain) with the goal of describing and comparing mortality by age and gender, in the time periods 1985-86 and 1990-91. DATA AND METHODS: The data were obtained from the official mortality Registry and population Census for the respective years. Observed conditional probabilities of dying by age and gender were adjusted using the parametric mortality laws formulated by Heligman and Pollard. These laws provide information about mortality characteristics in childhood, in youth and in adults. Goodness of fit of the models was assessed using chi-square, sign, and Steven's tests. Significant outliners were also determined and considered in the analysis. RESULTS: In Catalonia from 1985-86 to 1990-91 the probability of dying increased among people aged 16 to 40 years, this being higher in males as compared to females. For people older than 40 years of age the probability of dying in males did not change, but decreased for females. In this time period, the probability of dying slightly decreased during childhood. The life expectancy at birth for males decreased from 74.12 years in 1985-86 to 73.85 years in 1990-91. In contrast, the life expectancy at birth for females increased from 80.08 years in 1985-86 to 80.88 in 1990-91, thus widening mortality differences by gender. CONCLUSIONS: Heligman and Pollard laws of mortality are useful in describing mortality by age and gender, as well as in analyzing the evolution of mortality over time. The unfavorable evolution of mortality among young men living in Catalonia has contributed to reversing the trend of life expectancy at birth in the twentieth century.