Levels of acetic and lactic acid in RTE meat and poultry products and their association with occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes at retail

The purposes of this study were (1) to quantify the levels of acetic, and lactic acid occurring in approximately 1800 retail ready-to-eat (RTE) processed deli meat and poultry products to determine the impact of current antimicrobial lethality treatments on occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) at retail, (2) to determine if the intrinsic levels of lactic acid (LA) produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of the processed RTE meat or poultry affect the extrinsic levels of lactic acid added in RTE meat and poultry products, and (3) to evaluate 2%LA for its effect as a post-lethality treatment on the survival of LM on RTE meat and poultry products. Samples were randomly selected and acetic and lactic acids were extracted and analyzed by ion exclusion HPLC. Amount of LA extracted from the samples did not change with increased LAB counts (P\u3e 0.05) and with storage time of six weeks (P\u3e0.05).Thus, the age of the processed RTE meat or poultry did not affect the levels of lactic acid present in RTE meat and poultry products in six weeks at 4 C. The effect of 2%LA as a post lethality treatment on LM count differed according to meat type and time of storage. However, greater than a 1 log CFU/g reduction was achieved with frankfurters, bologna, and ham after application of 2%LA . Mean concentrations of acetic acid and lactic acid in samples varied by product type and by different manufacturers and ranged from 0.51 to 5.7 m/g (0.051 - 0.57%), and 12.88 to 23.03 m/g (1.28% -2.3%). Concentrations of acetic and lactic acids varied among manufacturers (p\u3c0.0001) and within products produced by the same manufacturer. Higher levels of AA and LA in RTE meat and poultry products were associated (p\u3c0.01) with lower occurrence of LM.Thus, addition of acetates and lactates as antimicrobials is helpful in formulations as a part of an overall listeria control program for processed meat and poultry products; however, even high levels of LA and AA may not prevent contamination of RTE meat and poultry with LM, particularly with post-process contamination

Prevalence of Potential Zoonotic Enteric Bacterial Pathogens in Dogs and Cats and Factors Associated with Potential Transmission Between Animals and Humans

With the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), concerns about dangers of pet ownership have increased. Zoonotic organisms associated with cats and dogs, may cause life-threatening infections in immuosuppressed human beings. The objectives of this project were to determine the prevalence of potential zoonotic enteric pathogens (Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter) in feces of dogs and cats (diarrheic, healthy, and hospitalized), to evaluate the association of diarrhea in dogs and cats with diarrhea in human beings sharing the same household, and to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella, Listeria, and E.coli to 18 antimicrobials of human and veterinary importance. Methods of bacterial isolation and identification followed conventional FDA BAM protocols (Bacteriological Analytical Manual). Bacterial isolates were tested for their susceptibility using the disk diffusion assay in accordance with NCCLS guidelines. Owners of pets with diarrhea participating in the study were interviewed using a phone questionnaire that focused on identifying association of diarrhea in human beings living in the same household with affected pets. Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 1 each of 95 dogs having acute or chronic diarrhea (1.1%). Listeria species was isolated from 12 of 353 (3.4%) total dogs and cats. Generic E.coli was isolated from feces in 70.8% of all dogs and cats sampled (250 of 353). E.coli isolated from healthy dogs and cats showed the highest resistance rate to the antibiotics followed by diarrheic dogs and cats. Most E.coli isolates (79.7%) were multidrug resistant (MDR). Imipenem was the only antibiotic which none of the E.coli isolates were resistant to. Listeria spp. isolated from dogs were most resistant to nalidixic acid (88.9%) followed by cefoxitin (77.8%). The low incidence of enteric pathogens in dogs and cats having acute or chronic diarrhea shows that the risk is low for transmission to human beings. However, individuals who are immunocompromised should have animals with acute or chronic diarrhea checked by a veterinarian. High prevalence of MDR bacteria is a serious problem and the search for alternative therapeutic compounds is needed especially for the immunocompromised, infants and elderly people

Incorporating iPad technology: Creating more effective language classrooms

© 2015 TESOL International Association. Technology today plays a significant role in the lives of many students who are part of a technology-driven culture that they have grown up with. It would seem unimaginable for young adults today to communicate or exchange ideas without using technology. The plethora of devices competing with the computer, from smartphones to tablets, just to name a few, have provided students with the ability to communicate and get information with unprecedented accessibility and speed. Because visual culture, youth culture, and digital media go hand in hand today, it is only logical that classrooms move beyond the traditional methods of teaching, which no longer seem compatible with student expectations or the needs of today’s workforce, and utilize this passion for technology. Fully incorporating technology in the classroom is inevitable, and utilizing students’ passion for technology can act as a catalyst for motivating them to work. This article presents the benefits of utilizing the iPad in the ESL classroom, showing how lessons can become more effective, paving the way for more motivating and engaging English language learning. It also provides information which guides ESL teachers in choosing appropriate apps for transformative lessons and information on apps that have been used in ESL classrooms

The role of leadership centers in supporting creativity, innovation, and scientific research development in university libraries

This study seeks to highlight the state of innovation, entrepreneurship, and ways to activate the innovation system, information institutions at the University of Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal through the general analysis of the services provided by the Agency for University Innovation and Entrepreneurshi

Impact of the e-prescribing system on the incidence and nature of drug-related problems in children in a Saudi hospital

Objectives: To determine the impact of a computerised physician order entry (CPOE) system on the drug-related problems’ (DRPs) incidence and characteristics in hospitalised children in a Saudi hospital, and to compare DRPs incidence pre-/post-CPOE implementation. Methods: An observational study. DRPs were identified by pharmacists, reviewing children's (0-14 years) medical records on CPOE system, in paediatric wards and/or attending emergency department. DRPs preventability and severity were assessed. Results: A total of 657 paediatric patients were included, with 235 (35.8%) experienced 328 DRPs, majority were preventable (99.7%, 327). Difference in DRP incidence pre- and post-CPOE implementation (44.8% versus 35.8%, P &lt; 0.01) was significant. Conclusion: The CPOE system has significantly reduced DRPs incidence in children in the study hospital.</p

Myasthenia Gravis Exacerbation Following COVID-19 Vaccine: A Case Report

Background: As of December 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to about 5,403,662 deaths. While COVID-19 has resulted in millions of deaths worldwide to date, vaccination remains the mainstay of infection control. AZD1222 (AstraZeneca vaccine) was distributed in Sudan by the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access facility in March 2021. It was added to the emergency use list by WHO in the middle of February 2021. However, vaccine safety among patients with autoimmune diseases, such as myasthenia gravis (MG), is yet to be established. MG is a relatively rare illness that could result in life-threatening complications. Myasthenic crisis is considered the most serious complication of MG that can lead to death due to aspiration and respiratory failure. Plasma exchange (PLEX), Immunoadsorption (IA), and intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) are the first-line treatment for myasthenic crisis. It is proven that cortisone has a positive effect when used as add-on therapy with PLEX/IA and IVIG. &nbsp; The case: We report the case of a 37-year-old Sudanese female who presented to the emergency room with an exacerbation of her previously well-controlled MG following her second dose of AZD1222 vaccination. The exacerbation symptoms at time of presentation were severe generalized body weakness that increasing overtime and shortness of breath. Computerized tomography of the chest was performed, and it revealed no evidence of COVID-19. Management at the ER started with rehydration and IV methylprednisolone 1g, followed by IV hydrocortisone 200mg. She continued to deteriorate and was admitted to the intensive care unit where she was intubated and placed on a mechanical ventilator. IVIG was requested but couldn't be obtained due to the low-income setting, and fourteen days after admission patient died due to circulatory collapse. Our study aims to present an MG case with features of MG exacerbation following the administration of the second dose of AZD1222. &nbsp; Conclusion: Little is known about the effect of different COVID-19 vaccines on subgroups of patients with autoimmune diseases like MG. Although the safety profile of AZD1222 is generally reassuring, people with severe underlying diseases were excluded from trials. Therefore, more efforts and experimental studies may be needed, with closer vigilance in MG patients.&nbsp;It has not been elucidated how the COVID-19 vaccine might provoke autoimmunity, but several theories have been proposed. Molecular mimicry theory can explain how the genetic material of a virus could provoke autoimmunity, it describes the cross-reactivity of antibodies produced against proteins that are encoded by viral genetic material with the proteins located at the post-synaptic membrane. There is a debate about whether vaccine benefit outweighs the risk in MG patients or not. However, we believed that MG patients should be informed about the benefit and risks of COVID-19 vaccination. &nbsp

Bond Strength of Artificially Aged Fiber Reinforced Composite Material. (An in-vitro study)

Aim: was to investigate the effect of time and surface treatments on shear bond strength of repaired fiber reinforced composite to nano-hybrid composite material. Materials and methods: Eighty specimens were prepared of ever-X Posterior (GC Europe). They were equally divided into two groups according to time of repair (after 24 hours and one month). Then, each group subdivided to five subgroups according to surface treatment (1- No surface treatment, 2- Diamond coated bur, two step self-etch adhesive, 3- Diamond coated bur, two step self-etch adhesive, silane, 4- Air abrasion, two step self-etch adhesive, 5- Air abrasion, two step self-etch adhesive, silane). A nano-hybrid composite was added as a material of repair in 2 mm thickness. All groups were thermocycled for 5000 cycles. The two-way ANOVA test was employed for statistical analysis of the data. Results: both the surface treatments and the time of repair had significant effect on SBS of repaired composite. The highest results were achieved in subgroup (Air abrasion and bonding agent) when repaired after one month. Conclusion: One month time relapse has no drastic effect on repair strength of FRC material. Air abrasion is considered a powerful mechanical surface treatment for achieving a highly significant repair strength of FRC materia

Myasthenia Gravis Exacerbation Following COVID-19 Vaccine: A Case Report

Background: Vaccination remains the mainstay of strategy for prevention of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). AZD1222 (AstraZeneca vaccine) was distributed in Sudan by the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access facility in March 2021. It was added to the emergency use list by the WHO in mid-February 2021. However, vaccine safety among patients with autoimmune diseases, such as myasthenia gravis (MG), is yet to be established. MG is a relatively rare illness that could result in life-threatening complications. Myasthenic crisis is considered the most serious complication of MG that can lead to death due to aspiration and respiratory failure. The case: We report the case of a 37-year-old Sudanese female who presented to the emergency room with an exacerbation of her normally well-controlled MG following her second dose of AZD1222 vaccination. She continued to deteriorate and was admitted to the intensive care unit, where she was intubated and placed on a mechanical ventilator. The low-income setting was a major barrier in obtaining intravenous immunoglobulin until the patient died. Our study aims to present an MG case with features of MG exacerbation following administration of a second dose of AZD1222. Conclusion: Little is known about the effect of different COVID-19 vaccines on subgroups of patients with autoimmune diseases like MG. In our case, an exacerbation of MG may have been precipitated by the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine. Therefore, more efforts and experimental studies may be needed, with closer vigilance in MG patient

Autosomal recessive IL12RB1 mutation: A case report of a Sudanese child and his father

IntroductionMendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD) is a rare inherited condition characterized by selective susceptibility to weakly virulent mycobacteria, such as substrains of the bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine and different environmental mycobacteria.Case presentationA 7-year-old Sudanese boy was referred to the immunology clinic with a suspected diagnosis of MSMD. This followed multiple presentations with disseminated tuberculosis and typhoid fever. Genetic testing surprisingly revealed pathogenic homozygous variants in IL12RB1 Exon 9, c.913A&gt;T (p. Lys305*) in both the patient and his father, with a completely healthy asymptomatic carrier mother who is not blood related to the patient’s father.ConclusionIt is challenging to diagnose MSMD, especially in developing countries where health systems are poor and have limited resources. Family history and genetic tests may help in early MSMD treatment and avoiding disease complications