SARS-CoV-2 identified by transmission electron microscopy in lymphoproliferative and ischaemic intestinal lesions of COVID-19 patients with acute abdominal pain: two case reports.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 may produce intestinal symptoms that are generally mild, with a small percentage of patients developing more severe symptoms. The involvement of SARS-CoV-2 in the physiopathology of bowel damage is poorly known. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a useful tool that provides an understanding of SARS-CoV-2 invasiveness, replication and dissemination in body cells but information outside the respiratory tract is very limited. We report two cases of severe intestinal complications (intestinal lymphoma and ischaemic colitis) in which the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in intestinal tissue was confirmed by TEM. These are the first two cases reported in the literature of persistence of SARS-CoV-2 demonstrated by TEM in intestinal tissue after COVID 19 recovery and SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal clearance. CASE PRESENTATION: During the first pandemic peak (1st March-30th April 2020) 932 patients were admitted in Hospital Universitari Mútua Terrassa due to COVID-19, 41 (4.4%) required cross-sectional imaging techniques to assess severe abdominal pain and six of them (0.64%) required surgical resection. SARS-CoV-2 in bowel tissue was demonstrated by TEM in two of these patients. The first case presented as an ileocaecal inflammatory mass which turned to be a B-cell lymphoma. Viral particles were found in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells of damaged mucosa. In situ hybridization was negative in tumour cells, thus ruling out an oncogenic role for the virus. SARS-CoV-2 remained in intestinal tissue 6 months after nasopharyngeal clearance, suggesting latent infection. The second patient had a severe ischaemic colitis with perforation and SARS-CoV-2 was also identified in endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Severe intestinal complications associated with COVID-19 are uncommon. SARS-CoV-2 was identified by TEM in two cases, suggesting a causal role in bowel damage.

Lincp21-RNA as Predictive Response Marker for Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy in Rectal Cancer.

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is a standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (RC) patients, but its use in non-responders can be associated with increased toxicities and resection delay. LincRNA-p21 is a long non-coding RNA involved in the p53 pathway and angiogenesis regulation. We aimed to study whether lincRNA-p21 expression levels can act as a predictive biomarker for neoadjuvant CRT response. We analyzed RNAs from pretreatment biopsies from 70 RC patients treated with preoperative CRT. Pathological response was classified according to the tumor regression grade (TRG) Dworak classification. LincRNA-p21 expression was determined by RTqPCR. The results showed that lincRNA-p21 was upregulated in stage III tumors (p = 0.007) and in tumors with the worst response regarding TRG (p = 0.027) and downstaging (p = 0.016). ROC curve analysis showed that lincRNA-p21 expression had the capacity to distinguish a complete response from others (AUC:0.696; p = 0.014). LincRNA-p21 was shown as an independent marker of preoperative CRT response (p = 0.047) and for time to relapse (TTR) (p = 0.048). In conclusion, lincRNA-p21 is a marker of advanced disease, worse response to neoadjuvant CRT, and shorter TTR in locally advanced RC patients. The study of lincRNA-p21 may be of value in the individualization of pre-operative CRT in RC.

Intraepithelial Lymphocyte Cytometric Pattern Is a Useful Diagnostic Tool for Coeliac Disease Diagnosis Irrespective of Degree of Mucosal Damage and Age-A Validation Cohort.

INTRODUCTION: The study of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) by flow cytometry is a useful tool in the diagnosis of coeliac disease (CD). Previous data showed that an increase in %TCRγδ+ and decrease of %CD3- IEL constitute a typical CD cytometric pattern with a specificity of 100%. However, there are no data regarding whether there are differences in the %TCRγδ+ related to sex, age, titers of serology, and degree of histological lesion. STUDY AIMS: To confirm the high diagnostic accuracy of the coeliac cytometric patterns. To determine if there are differences between sex, age, serology titers, and histological lesion grade. RESULTS: We selected all patients who fulfilled "4 of 5" rule for CD diagnosis (n = 169). There were no differences in %TCRγδ+ between sexes (p = 0.909), age groups (p = 0.986), serology titers (p = 0.53) and histological lesion grades (p = 0.41). The diagnostic accuracy of complete CD cytometric pattern was: specificity 100%, sensitivity 82%, PPV 100%, NPV 47%. CONCLUSION: We confirmed, in a validation cohort, the high diagnostic accuracy of complete CD pattern irrespective of sex, age, serology titers, and grade of mucosal lesion.

Potential of Probiotic Frozen Blackcurrant Products: Consumer Preference, Physicochemical Characterization, and Cell Viability.

Blackcurrant is a healthy, affordable, and traditionally gardened berry that, thus far, has been underused in food applications. From the consumers' point of view, the acidic taste of blackcurrants is a challenge; therefore, these berries have mainly been utilized for sugary juice production. This research study aimed to develop a frozen vegan blackcurrant product with pleasant sensory properties and potential probiotic function. A candidate probiotic, Lactoplantibacillus plantarum Q823, was used in the manufacturing process. The physicochemical properties, nutritional composition, and consumer preference for the developed product were assessed, as was the viability of L. plantarum Q823 during storage time and in an in vitro gastrointestinal model. Consumers (n = 71) perceived the developed product to be pleasant. L. plantarum Q823 had high viability counts (log colony forming units (cfu) g-1 7.0 ± 0.38) in the final product, although the viability of L. plantarum Q823 during storage time needs to be enhanced to obtain a probiotic product. Thus, within an optimized formulation, blackcurrant berries represent a potential raw material for functional frozen food products.

Persistent Villous Atrophy in De Novo Adult Patients With Celiac Disease and Strict Control of Gluten-Free Diet Adherence: A Multicenter Prospective Study (CADER Study).

INTRODUCTION: A substantial proportion of adult patients with celiac disease on a gluten-free diet exhibit persistent villous atrophy, and inadvertent gluten exposure may be one of the causes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate villous atrophy persistence after 2 years on a gluten-free diet in de novo adult patients with celiac disease with strict control of gluten exposure. METHODS: Symptomatic de novo adult patients with celiac disease were prospectively included. Clinical visits and dietary surveillance were scheduled every 6 months during a 2-year follow-up period. At each visit, fecal samples were collected and stored at -20 °C until analysis for gluten immunogenic peptides (f-GIPs). A follow-up duodenal biopsy was performed at 2 years. We evaluated the variables associated with persistent villous atrophy. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients completed the study (36.5 ± 1.6 years, 73% women); persistent villous atrophy was observed in 40 (53%), whereas 72.5% were asymptomatic and 75% had negative serology. Detectable f-GIP >0.08 µg/g in at least 1 fecal sample was seen in 69% of patients. There were no significant differences in the median f-GIP at each visit and median area under the curve over the serial measurements between patients with persistent villous atrophy and those who recovered. On multivariate analysis, only older age was associated with persistent villous atrophy (32% for 16-30 years; 67% for >30 years; P = 0.016). DISCUSSION: The rate of persistent villous atrophy after 2 years was high in adult patients with celiac disease on an intentionally strict gluten-free diet. Low-level ongoing inadvertent gluten exposure could be a contributing factor to persistent villous atrophy.

Concordance Between Rapid On-Site Evaluation and Final Cytologic Diagnosis in Patients Undergoing Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Staging.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with lung cancer undergoing mediastinal staging through endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), decisions are based on rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) findings. We aimed to analyze the concordance rate between ROSE diagnosis and final diagnosis. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out in patients undergoing EBUS-TBNA for lung cancer staging. Diagnosis concordance was defined as cases where lymph nodes (LNs) presented the same diagnosis in ROSE and final diagnosis. Determinants of concordance were analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were included and 637 LNs sampled. ROSE diagnosis was concordant with final diagnosis in 612 (96.1%) LNs and nonconcordant in 25 (3.9%). Differences in the concordance rate were found between pathologists, ROSE diagnoses, presence of cell block, number of passes, and number of slides. The staging status was changed between ROSE and the final diagnosis in three (4.6%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: ROSE diagnosis has a high concordance with the final diagnosis.

Usefulness of fecal calprotectin as a biomarker of microscopic colitis in a cohort of patients with chronic watery diarrhoea of functional characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Information on the use of fecal markers in microscopic colitis screening is limited. AIM: To evaluate the risk variables associated with a diagnosis of microscopic colitis including fecal calprotectin. METHODS: Patients submitted for a colonoscopy due to chronic watery diarrhea fulfilling criteria of functional disease were evaluated. Colonic mucosa was normal but mild erythema and edema was allowed. Fecal calprotectin was analyzed. A logistic regression was used to evaluate variables associated with both raised fecal calprotectin and a diagnosis of microscopic colitis. RESULTS: 94 patients were included, 30 were diagnosed with microscopic colitis and 64 made up the control group. Median calprotectin levels were 175 (IQR, 59-325) for the microscopic colitis and 28 (IQR, 16-111) for the control group (p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off for fecal calprotectin was >100 µg/g (AUC, 0.73), with 67% sensitivity and 75% specificity. The number of drugs used ≥3 (OR, 3.9; CI, 1.4-10.4) and microscopic colitis diagnosis (OR, 6; CI, 2.2-16.3) were associated with raised calprotectin levels. Age >60 years (OR, 3.8; CI, 1.4-10.1) and calprotectin levels (OR, 5.3; CI, 2-14.1) were associated with a risk of microscopic colitis. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated fecal calprotectin concentrations are often seen in microscopic colitis, and may be helpful in the diagnosis of women over 60 with chronic watery diarrhea.

Sand bedding as a reservoir for Lactococcus garvieae dissemination in dairy farms.

Lactococcus garvieae is now recognized as a species with clinical significance for human and veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of this pathogen in sand bedding and milk samples. Two farms in Minnesota with problems of clinical and subclinical mastitis due to streptococci-like organisms were selected. Twenty-four Lactococcus garvieae isolates from sand bedding and 18 isolates from quarter milk were comparatively studied using a genotypic approach. RAPD (random amplification of polymorphic DNA) PCR and REP (repetitive element palindromic) PCR experiments highlighted a similar electrophoretic profile. When genes belonging to the core genome of L. garvieae were tested through a MLRT (multilocus restriction typing), we again observed that all L. garvieae isolates coming from sand bedding and milk shared a common profile, distinguishable from previously studied representative L. garvieae strains. These data indicate that the L. garvieae isolated from sand bedding and milk originated from a few strains adapted to persist in the same habitat. This supports the hypothesis that sand bedding can represent a reservoir of L. garvieae strains and be a potential vehicle for their dissemination in dairy farms.

miR-21, miR-99b and miR-375 combination as predictive response signature for preoperative chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is a standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer patients. Despite the benefits of CRT, its use in non-responder patients can be associated with increased toxicities and surgical resection delay. The identification of CRT response biomarkers, such as microRNAs, could improve the management of these patients. We have studied the microRNA expression in pretreatment endoscopy biopsies from rectal cancer patients treated with CRT to identify potential microRNAs able to predict CRT response and clinical outcome of these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: RNA from pretreatment endoscopy biopsies from 96 rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative CRT were studied. Pathological response was graded according to the tumor regression grade (TRG) Dworak classification. In the screening phase, 377 miRNAs were studied in 12 patients with extreme responses (TRG0-1 vs TRG4). The potential role as predictive biomarkers for CRT response, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of the miRNAs identified in the screening phase were validated in the whole cohort. RESULTS: In the screening phase, an 8-miRNAs CRT-response signature was identified: let-7b, let-7e, miR-21, miR-99b, miR-183, miR-328, miR-375 and miR-483-5p. In the validation phase, miR-21, miR-99b and miR-375 emerged as CRT response-related miRNAs while miR-328 and let-7e emerged as prognostic markers for DFS and OS. Interestingly, ROC curve analysis showed that the combination of miR-21, miR-99b and miR-375 had the best capacity to distinguish patients with maximum response (TRG4) from others. CONCLUSIONS: miR-21, miR-99b and miR-375 could add valuable information for individualizing treatment in locally advanced rectal cancer patients.

Case-finding in primary care for coeliac disease: Accuracy and cost-effectiveness of a rapid point-of-care test.

BACKGROUND: An on-site, rapid, fingertip, whole-blood point-of-care test (POCT) is attractive for active case-finding of coeliac disease (CD) in primary care because of its simplicity. AIM: The aim of this article is to assess the usefulness and cost-effectiveness of adult case-finding using a POCT based on deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies (IgA/IgG-DGP) in primary care for CD diagnosis. METHODS: A case-finding study for CD was conducted by using an easy-to-use, on-site, whole-blood for IgA/IgG-DGP-based fingertip POCT compared with tTG2 in 350 individuals. Sample size was calculated based on 0.28% prevalence in the reference population. Duodenal biopsies for histology, intraepithelial lymphocytes and in situ deposition of tTG2 were obtained if tTG2 and/or POCT were positive. Accuracy and cost-effectiveness of strategies using serology or POCT were calculated. RESULTS: Prevalence of CD was 1.14% (95% CI, 0.3-3.4), almost double what was previously observed. Four patients were diagnosed with CD. tTG2 was positive in three (0.85%) and POCT in 29 (8.2%). Sensitivity of POCT for CD was 100%, specificity 93%, PPV 14%, and NPV 100%. POCT followed by duodenal biopsy was the most cost-effective approach in our setting (standard diagnosis: €13,033/case; POCT + duodenal biopsy: €7360/case). CONCLUSIONS: A negative POCT allows ruling out CD in primary care, making it suitable for case-finding. POCT strategy was the most cost effective.

Development of a fermented quinoa-based beverage.

Quinoa is a crop that originated from the Andes. It has high nutritional value, outstanding agro-ecological adaptability, and low water requirements. Quinoa is an excellent crop alternative to help overcome food shortages, and it can also have a role in the prevention of developed world lifestyle diseases, such as type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, etc. In order to expand the traditional uses of quinoa and to provide new, healthier and more nutritious food products, a fermented quinoa-based beverage was developed. Two quinoa varieties (Rosada de Huancayo and Pasankalla) were studied. The fermentation process, viscosity, acidity, and metabolic activity during the preparation and storage of the drink were monitored, as well as the preliminary organoleptic acceptability of the product. The drink had viable and stable microbiota during the storage time and the fermentation proved to be mostly homolactic. Both quinoa varieties were suitable as base for fermented products; Pasankalla, however, has the advantage due to higher protein content, lower saponin concentration, and lower loss of viscosity during the fermentation process. These results suggest that the differences between quinoa varieties may have substantial effects on food processes and on the properties of final products. This is a factor that should be taken into account when planning novel products based on this grain.

Colitis microscópica: avances para una mejor identificación en los pacientes con diarrea crónica / Advances for improved diagnosis of microscopic colitis in patients with chronic diarrhoea

Colitis microscópica es un término genérico que incluye 2 formas principales, colitis colágena y colitis linfocítica, que describe una forma de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal con curso crónico y recidivante. La incidencia de colitis microscópica es entre 2 y 8 veces más alta en mujeres que en hombres; sin embargo, la edad contribuye más que el sexo en el riesgo de colitis colágena (OR 8,3 para edad ≥65 vs. <65años y OR 2,8 para sexo femenino). El síntoma principal es la diarrea crónica acuosa, no sanguinolenta. Otros síntomas frecuentes incluyen el dolor abdominal (50-70%), lo que hace que muchos pacientes con colitis microscópica cumplan criterios de síndrome de intestino irritable. Hoy en día se recomienda la realización de una colonoscopia, con toma de biopsias escalonadas en todos estos pacientes, ya que el diagnóstico es principalmente histológico. La mucosa colónica suele ser macroscópicamente normal, aunque se han descrito alteraciones endoscópicas mínimas

Microscopic colitis is a generic term that includes 2 main forms, collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis, and describes a form of inflammatory bowel disease with a chronic and relapsing course. The incidence of microscopic colitis is between 2 and 8 times higher in women than in men, although age, more than sex, increases the risk of collagenous colitis (odds ratio [OR] 8.3 for age ≥65 vs. <65 and OR 2.8 for women). The main symptom is chronic non-bloody watery diarrhoea. Other common symptoms include abdominal pain (50%-70%), with the result that many patients with microscopic colitis meet criteria for irritable bowel syndrome. Colonoscopy with multiple colonic biopsies is currently recommended, as histological changes are the main characteristic feature. The colonic mucosa is macroscopically normal, although certain minimal endoscopic abnormalities have been described

Advances for improved diagnosis of microscopic colitis in patients with chronic diarrhoea. / Colitis microscópica: avances para una mejor identificación en los pacientes con diarrea crónica.

Microscopic colitis is a generic term that includes 2 main forms, collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis, and describes a form of inflammatory bowel disease with a chronic and relapsing course. The incidence of microscopic colitis is between 2 and 8 times higher in women than in men, although age, more than sex, increases the risk of collagenous colitis (odds ratio [OR] 8.3 for age ≥65 vs. <65 and OR 2.8 for women). The main symptom is chronic non-bloody watery diarrhoea. Other common symptoms include abdominal pain (50%-70%), with the result that many patients with microscopic colitis meet criteria for irritable bowel syndrome. Colonoscopy with multiple colonic biopsies is currently recommended, as histological changes are the main characteristic feature. The colonic mucosa is macroscopically normal, although certain minimal endoscopic abnormalities have been described.

Genome Sequence of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris Mast36, a Strain Isolated from Bovine Mastitis.

The genome sequence of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris Mast36, isolated from bovine mastitis, is reported here. This strain was shown to be able to grow in milk and still possess genes of vegetable origin. The genome also contains a cluster of genes associated with pathogenicity.

Biocomposites of nanofibrillated cellulose, polypyrrole, and silver nanoparticles with electroconductive and antimicrobial properties.

In this work, flexible and free-standing composite films of nanofibrillated cellulose/polypyrrole (NFC/PPy) and NFC/PPy-silver nanoparticles (NFC/PPy-Ag) have been synthesized for the first time via in situ one-step chemical polymerization and applied in potential biomedical applications. Incorporation of NFC into PPy significantly improved its film formation ability resulting in composite materials with good mechanical and electrical properties. It is shown that the NFC/PPy-Ag composite films have strong inhibition effect against the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, e.g., Staphylococcus aureus. The electrical conductivity and strong antimicrobial activity makes it possible to use the silver composites in various applications aimed at biomedical treatments and diagnostics. Additionally, we report here the structural and morphological characterization of the composite materials with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques.

Characterization of Lactococcus lactis isolates from bovine mastitis.

Lactococcus lactis is a widely used mesophilic dairy starter and has been included in the Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) list of the European Food Safety Authority. However, it is increasingly found as the cause of human or animal infections, such as bovine mastitis, probably due to the improvement of the identification of the infective microorganisms. Since there are some grounds to suspect that at least certain variants of L. lactis may cause animal or human diseases, it is important to properly identify the differences between the strains associated with infections and the safe starter strains. Bovine mastitis isolates and dairy starter strains were genotypically characterized and clustered by the 16S rRNA gene sequence and RAPD-PCR fingerprint patterns, and phenotypically characterized by their tolerance to different stress conditions typically found in the intestinal tract of mammals, the carbohydrate- and antibiotic resistance profile, as well as the in vitro adhesion capacity to udder epithelial cells. Genotypically, there were no differences between the mastitis isolates and the dairy starter strains. However, there were clear phenotypic distinctions between mastitis isolates and typical starter strains, the former showing an increased tolerance to temperature, lysozyme, bile salts, pH and antibiotics, as well as improved carbohydrate fermentation capacity, and in vitro adhesion to udder epithelial cells. Although these differences might not be considered as actual virulence factors, they improve the ability of the strain to survive in the body of homeothermic animals and, interestingly, are also typical properties associated with potential probiotic strains.

The antimicrobial effects of wood-associated polyphenols on food pathogens and spoilage organisms.

The antimicrobial effects of the wood-associated polyphenolic compounds pinosylvin, pinosylvin monomethyl ether, astringin, piceatannol, isorhapontin, isorhapontigenin, cycloXMe, dHIMP, ArX, and ArXOH were assessed against both Gram-negative (Salmonella) and Gram-positive bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus) and yeasts (Candida tropicalis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Particularly the stilbenes pinosylvin, its monomethyl ether and piceatannol demonstrated a clear antimicrobial activity, which in the case of pinosylvin was present also in food matrices like sauerkraut, gravlax and berry jam, but not in milk. The destabilization of the outer membrane of Gram-negative microorganisms, as well as interactions with the cell membrane, as indicated by the NPN uptake and LIVE/DEAD viability staining experiments, can be one of the specific mechanisms behind the antibacterial action. L. monocytogenes was particularly sensitive to pinosylvin, and this effect was also seen in L. monocytogenes internalized in intestinal Caco2 cells at non-cytotoxic pinosylvin concentrations. In general, the antimicrobial effects of pinosylvin were even more prominent than those of a related stilbene, resveratrol, well known for its various bioactivities. According to our results, pinosylvin could have potential as a natural disinfectant or biocide in some targeted applications.

Antimicrobial activity of weak acids in liquid feed fermentations, and its effects on yeasts and lactic acid bacteria.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of weak organic acids in the control of yeasts in pig liquid feed was studied taking into account the effects on lactic acid bacteria (LAB) responsible for beneficial fermentation. RESULTS: The yeast population in pig liquid feed was taxonomically identified. Kazachstania exigua, Debaryomyces hansenii and Pichia deserticola dominated the fermentation in liquid feed and whey. Pichia deserticola was found in whey and foaming liquid feed and dominated the fermentation after incubation. The sensitivity of the isolates against weak acids was measured in culture medium as well as in fermented and non-fermented liquid feed. Formic acid and potassium sorbate successfully reduced the growth of yeasts in all media without interfering with LAB development. Both of these organic acids showed an increased antifungal effect when used in liquid feed fermented by a Lactobacillus plantarum strain. CONCLUSION: The loss of energy, reduced palatability and other practical problems due to the high growth of yeasts in fermented liquid diets can be reduced by organic acids without affecting lactic acid fermentation.

Infant de 17 mesos amb plaques eritematodescamatives generalitzades i onicodistròfia / No disponible

No disponible

Comparative study of sugar fermentation and protein expression patterns of two Lactobacillus plantarum strains grown in three different media.

A comparative study of two strains of Lactobacillus plantarum (REB1 and MLBPL1) grown in commercial medium (MRS broth), cucumber juice, and liquid pig feed was performed to explore changes to the metabolic pathways of these bacteria, using a proteomics approach (two-dimensional electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) combined with analyses of fermentable sugars and fermentation end products. The protein expression showed that even with an excess of glucose in all media, both strains could metabolize different carbohydrates simultaneously and that hexoses could also be used via a phosphoketolase pathway with preferential expression in liquid feed. Sugar analyses showed that the fermentation of sugars was homolactic for all media, with some heterolactic activity in liquid feed, as shown by the production of acetate. Cucumber juice (the medium with the highest glucose content) showed the lowest hexose consumption (10%), followed by liquid feed (33%) and MRS broth (50%). However, bacterial growth was significantly higher in cucumber juice and liquid feed than in MRS broth. This discrepancy was due to the growth benefit obtained from the utilization of the malate present in cucumber juice and liquid feed. Despite different growth conditions, the synthesis of essential cellular components and the stress response of the bacteria were unaffected. This study has improved our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the growth performance of an appropriate lactic acid bacterium strain to be used for food and feed fermentation, information that is of crucial importance to obtain a high-quality fermented product.