A method for detection of Salmonella Typhimurium in meat samples that uses in-house monoclonal antibody (MAb) coated magnetic beads for immunomagnetic separation (IMS) associated with PCR amplification of the gene fimA was developed. An internal amplification control (IAC) of the PCR reaction was constructed. The fimA PCR has shown 100% sensitivity and specificity when tested with various bacteria. The detection limit of the IMS-PCR method, using a post-enrichment in BHI broth for 6 h between IMS and PCR, was 1-10 CFU/mL. The method proved to be rapid (27 hrs), highly sensitive (1-10 CFU/25 g), and specific for detection of S. Typhimurium from experimentally contaminated pork and chicken meat samples.

Fiddler crabs (Minuca burgersi) were kept under controlled conditions in an experimental laboratory to assess their ability to secrete metallic contaminants by ecdysis. They were fed different copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) concentrations, with subsequent measurement of heavy metals concentration in the released and renewed exoskeletons. Our results show that these crabs can purify both metals during ecdysis, demonstrating to be an efficient way to decontaminate these toxic components, besides accrediting this native species as a strong indicator of contamination in estuarine environments. Our results also reinforce the need for attention to the contamination characterization in crustaceans before and after ecdysis to avoid underestimation.

Introduction: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy is currently considered the choice treatment for relief of dysphagia in Esophageal Achalasia (EA), showing a low incidence of gastroesophageal reflux and evident improvement in Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL).Objective: Evaluate Health-Related quality of life and clinic evolution after laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication. Material and method:Prospective longitudinal descriptive observational study, through the application of the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index questionnaire (GIQLI) to patients underwent surgery for EA from January 2010 to December 2017 at the National Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery. The questionnaire was applied before surgery and one year later. Statistical analysis:Percentages for qualitative variables, mean ± standard deviation or median and range, as appropriate for quantitative variables, for the comparison of the questionnaire results, we used student's t-test, with statistical significance level α=0.05.Results: 101 patients were included in the study, three of them were excluded. Age ranged from 18 to 78 years with an average of 47 years. The mean time of evolution of the symptoms was 62 months, with an average of 3.3 on the dysphagia scale and a Resting Pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (mmHg) 38.7 ± 16.8, an initial GIQLI of 85 was obtained, 3 ± 20.4, which increased twelve months after surgery to 131.6 ± 10.5. Conclusions:Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication improve Health-Related quality of life in patients with esophageal achalasia with good outcomes in time.