Risk-based control of food-borne pathogens Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica in the Italian fermented sausages Cacciatore and Felino.

Fermentation is the most important killing step during production of fermented meats to eliminate food-borne pathogens. The objective was to evaluate whether the food-borne pathogens Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica may survive during the production of two Italian fermented sausages. Sausage batter was inoculated with five strains of L. monocytogenes or S. enterica (ca. 10(5)-10(6) cfu/g) and their kinetic behavior was monitored during production. Both pathogens survived relatively well (in Cacciatore L. monocytogenes and S. enterica inactivation was ca. 0.38±0.23 and 1.10±0.24 log cfu/g, respectively; in Felino was ca. 0.39±0.25 and 1.62±0.38 log cfu/g, respectively) due to the conditions prevailing during production (slow dehydration rate, small reduction of water activity and fermentation temperature mainly below 20 °C during the first 48 h of fermentation). Quantitative analysis of data originating from challenge tests provide critical information on which combinations of the process parameters would potentially lead to better control of the pathogens.

Differential gene expression profiling of Listeria monocytogenes in Cacciatore and Felino salami to reveal potential stress resistance biomarkers.

The current study reports a) the in situ transcriptional profiles of Listeria monocytogenes in response to fermented sausage stress and b) an approach in which in situ RT-qPCR data have been combined with advanced statistical techniques to discover potential stress resistance or cell viability biomarkers. Gene expression profiling of the pathogen has been investigated using RT-qPCR to understand how L. monocytogenes responds to the conditions encountered during the fermentation and ripening of sausages. A cocktail of five L. monocytogenes strains was inoculated into the batter of Cacciatore and Felino sausages. The RT-qPCR data showed that the acidic and osmotic stress-related genes were up-regulated. The transcripts of the lmo0669 gene increased during the fermentation and ripening of Cacciatore, whereas gbuA and lmo1421 were up-regulated during the ripening of Felino and Cacciatore, respectively. sigB expression was induced in both sausages throughout the whole process. Finally, the virulence-related gene prfA was down-regulated during the fermentation of Cacciatore. The multivariate gene expression profiling analysis suggested that sigB and lmo1421 or sigB and gbuA could be used as different types of stress resistance biomarkers to track, for example, stress resistance or cell viability in fermented sausages with short (Cacciatore) or long (Felino) maturation times, respectively.

[Emotional aspects and quality of life of patients after acoustic neuroma surgery]. / Aspetti emotivi e qualità della vita in pazienti operati di neurinoma del nervo acustico.

UNLABELLED: Acoustic neuromas are rare lesions arising in the internal auditory canal (IAC) and extending in the posterior cranial fossa. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice; peri and postoperative complications are directly related to the size of the tumour. Some Authors think the surgical treatment and related temporary or permanent neurological deficits could change the QoL and the psychological status. PURPOSE: The aim of this analysis is to ascertain if the surgical procedure could significantly worsen the QoL of this population 12 months after the discharge from surgical department. METHODS: By using a questionnaires of Quality of Life aims to evaluate the impact that the disease and the surgical procedure have on this population. SUBJECTS: We have evaluated a sample of 150 subjects one year after the surgical removal of a acoustic neuroma. Data have been collected through questionnaires the Whoqol-Brief, the BDI, the STAI Y1 and Y2 and specific item to assess effects of postoperative dysfunctions. RESULTS: Data reveal a negative effect on QoL, 94% of the subjects show lower score at Whoquol-Brief and in anxiety with scores higher than normative score sample (state-anxiety (t = 5.602 p = .000; trait-anxiety: t = 4.354 p = .000). Higher incidence of depressive disorders have not been found. CONCLUSION: Psychological support to subjects after discharge from acoustic neuroma surgical removal should be tailored to improve quality of life and for a better management of anxiety.

Serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism genotype is associated with temperament, personality traits and illegal drugs use among adolescents.

Serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) genotype was previously found associated with substance use disorders, particularly in the subjects with comorbid antisocial behavior, and with temperament and personality traits at risk for substance abuse. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible association between 5-HTTLPR genotype and the availability to experiment illegal drugs among adolescents, in relationship with psychological characteristics. 216 caucasian high school students (aged 14-19 ys), 125 abstinent subjects, who have never experimented psychotropic drugs, and 91 experimenters of illegal drugs have been genotyped. Aggressiveness levels and temperamental traits were measured in both abstinent subjects and experimenters utilizing respectively Buss-Durkee-Hostility-Inventory (BDHI) and Cloninger Three-dimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). Data about school performance have been also collected. The short-short (SS) genotype frequency was significantly higher among experimenters compared with abstinent subjects (p = 0.001). The odds ratio for the SS genotype vs the long-long (LL) genotype frequency was 4.67, 95% Cl (1.97-11.04), when experimenters were compared with abstinent students. The SS genotype frequency was significantly higher among aggressive/novelty seeker (NS) experimenters with poor school achievements, compared with drugs experimenters without aggressiveness and school failure (p = 0.02). When evaluated on the entire sample, BDHI mean total scores, NS scores at TPQ and school failure frequency were significantly higher in SS individuals, in comparison with LL subjects. Our data suggest that a decreased expression of the gene encoding the 5-HTT transporter, due to "S" promoter polymorphism, may be associated with an increased availability to experiment illegal drugs among adolescents, particularly in the subjects with more consistent aggressiveness, NS temperament and learning disabilities.

Treatment of excessive urinary frequency and urgency by desensitization and progressive retention training.

A 20-yr-old male presenting a 2-yr history of excessive urinary urgency and frequency was treated with a three-phase behavioral intervention. Progressive urinary retention training was first suggested to decrease urinary frequency and increase functional bladder capacity (phase one). The patient was not able to comply with the instructions, showing a phobic fear of accidents and an over-valued consideration of the social consequences of incontinence. Systematic desensitization, in vivo desensitization and cognitive restructuring were implemented in phase two. The patient was then able to comply with the progressive urinary retention training (phase three) and completely overcame his problem. Gains were maintained at 6 and 12-month follow-ups. The results suggest that progressive urinary retention training alone is effective both at the behavioral and physiological levels, but its application is facilitated by a consideration and modification of the patient's subjective attitude towards excessive micturition frequency and its feared consequences.

In vivo desensitization of a severe driving phobia through radio contact with telemonitoring of neurophysiological reactions.

A 34 year-old man with a severe driving phobia was treated by in vivo desensitization. A radio transceiver was used to provide the anxiety inhibiting effects of voice contact during exposure to phobic driving experiences. Transceivers were linked to a Telemonitor apparatus programmed to broadcast heartbeat and GSR readings automatically every 15 minutes or on demand, each of 10 seconds duration. The therapist was therefore in touch with the subjective and physiological arousal of the patient from distances up to 7 miles. This allowed him to conduct more efficiently a program of in vivo graduated exposure. Treatment effects were maintained at a 9-month follow-up.