Virulence-genes Rib and Bca in Serotypes of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Isolated from Symptomatic Pregnant Women in East Coast Malaysia

INTRODUCTION: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of maternally-acquired invasive infections in neonates. Nowadays maternal immunization is of utmost demand for prevention of these infections. We undertook capsular serotyping and virulence factor genes identification for local GBS isolates as a pilot study, to identify potential candidates to propagate vaccine development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a descriptive lab -based study to determine GBS serotypes and presence of genes coding virulence factors bca and rib in isolates obtained from symptomatic pregnant women in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Sixty-two GBS isolates from high vaginal swabs were collected. Latex agglutination test was performed to determine GBS serotypes. Real-time PCR was done to determine the presence of virulence genes. RESULTS: Of the 62 GBS isolates, 77.4% were serologically typeable, and 22.6% were non -typeable. Serotypes Ia and Ib (16.1% each) were the most common capsular types, followed by II, V, and VII (9.7% each), III (8.1%), VI (6.5%), and VIII (1.6 %). Furthermore, 67.7% of the isolates harboured the rib gene while 98.4% possessed the bca gene. CONCLUSION: The five known prevalent serotypes worldwide, do not match the CPS distribution in symptomatic pregnant women in Kuantan. However, the frequency of virulence genes rib and bca is high among our isolates, which if confirmed by further bigger and wider studies makes the proteinaceous vaccine, N-terminal domains of Rib and AlpC a suitable candidate for GBS prevention in this geographical area

Contribution of tocols to food Sensorial properties, stability, and overall quality

This paper reviews the contribution of tocopherols and tocotrienols (tocols) to food quality as well as their bioactivity and health-promoting properties, which have attracted researchers and food technologists. Tocols are lipophilic phenolic antioxidants encompassing tocopherols that are characterized by a saturated side chain and tocotrienols with an unsaturated isoprenoid side chain. Tocols are natural constituents of several foods like dairy, vegetable oils, nuts, and grains. Their presence in foods, namely, as food additives, helps prevent lipid oxidation, which negatively affects the sensorial quality of foods, and even the nutritional value and safety. Supplementation of animals’ diets with tocopherols has proven its effectiveness in preserving fresh color and flavor of the meat. Although alfa-tocopherol displays much higher vitamin E activity than other tocols, health outcomes have been reported for tocotrienols, thus calling for more studies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Composition and physicochemical properties of dried berry pomace

[EN] BACKGROUND Berry pomace is a valuable but little used by-product of juice manufacturing. When processed to a stable fruit powder, the composition differs from that of the whole fruit. To facilitate application in foods, a detailed knowledge of its composition and physicochemical properties is essential. RESULTS Blackcurrant, redcurrant, chokeberry, rowanberry and gooseberry were selected for analysis. All pomace powders had a high fibre content (> 550 g kg(-1)) and a fat content of up to 200 g kg(-1). Despite identical milling conditions, the particle sizes of the pomace powders varied. This can be traced back to seed content and brittleness, which also becomes apparent with respect to surface characteristics. Blackcurrant pomace powder differed from other varieties in terms of its low water-binding capacity (3.2 g g(-1)) and a moderate moisture uptake, whereas chokeberry pomace powder showed the highest polyphenol content and rowanberry pomace powder was rich in flavonols. CONCLUSION The results obtained in the present study provide a comprehensive overview of the properties of berry pomace powder and allow conclusions to be made regarding their applicability for use in complex food systems. (c) 2018 Society of Chemical IndustryThe research project was approved during the second SUSFOOD ERA-Net call (www.susfood-era.net).The funding of the project, assured through the national partner organizations, is gratefully acknowledged: Federal Ministry of Education and Research via PTJ in Germany (grant 031B0004), INIA in Spain and FORMAS in Sweden.Reibner, AM.; Al Hamimi, S.; Quiles Chuliá, MD.; Schmidt, C.; Struck, S.; Hernando Hernando, MI.; Turner, C.... (2018). Composition and physicochemical properties of dried berry pomace. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 99(3):1284-1293. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.930212841293993Elleuch, M., Bedigian, D., Roiseux, O., Besbes, S., Blecker, C., & Attia, H. (2011). 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The expression of virulence genes in Group B Streptococcus isolated from symptomatic pregnant women with term and preterm delivery.

During pregnancy, group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization is one of the risk factors for preterm delivery and neonatal infections. Previous studies have revealed the crucial roles of GBS virulence factors including hemolytic pigment (CylE), hyaluronidase (HylB), serine rich protein (Srr) and bacterial surface adhesion of GBS (BsaB) in mediating GBS colonization and intrauterine ascending infection, that triggers preterm delivery. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between mRNA expression of virulence genes in GBS isolates obtained from symptomatic pregnant women and preterm delivery. GBS isolates were obtained from high vaginal swabs of pregnant women (n=40) with gestational age less than 37 weeks and symptoms including preterm labour, preterm premature rupture of membrane (pPROM), vaginal discharge and vaginal bleeding. RNA was extracted from these GBS isolates and RT-qPCR was performed to determine the relative mRNA expression of GBS virulence genes including CylE, HylB, Srr and BsaB. Women with preterm labour and pPROM who delivered prematurely were demonstrated with higher expression of CylE gene and a trend towards an increased expression of HylB gene, in comparison to women with term delivery. The expression of Srr and BsaB genes were both similar between symptomatic pregnant women who delivered at term and prematurely. These results suggest that following vaginal colonization, both CylE and HylB genes possibly contribute to intrauterine ascending infection and inflammation, causing preterm delivery in humans. These virulence factors may be targeted for the pre-clinical stages of vaccine development or therapeutic intervention

Development of a Low Cost Eco-Friendly Minimum Quantity Lubrication System for Machining Processes

Recently all environmental worries are calling for reducing the usage of fluids in machining operations. One of the promising solutions that appeared lately is minimum quantity lubrication (MQL). This research aimed to develop an eco-friendly cooling system for a lathe machine and assess its performance. After considering the customer needs, the needs were translated into engineering specifications in the conceptual design phase, and then the quality function deployment was developed. Three concepts were generated and evaluated considering the selection criteria, and a final concept was selected using the decision matrix method. Following this, a detailed design and fabrication of the sub-systems such as the oil tank and a structure accommodate all the components. The developed system was tested on six different workpiece samples to compare the MQL system with the conventional one. In general, the MQL system resulted in lower surface roughness values as well as lower tool wear.</jats:p

Development of a Low Cost Eco-Friendly Minimum Quantity Lubrication System for Machining Processes

Recently all environmental worries are calling for reducing the usage of fluids in machining operations. One of the promising solutions that appeared lately is minimum quantity lubrication (MQL). This research aimed to develop an eco-friendly cooling system for a lathe machine and assess its performance. After considering the customer needs, the needs were translated into engineering specifications in the conceptual design phase, and then the quality function deployment was developed. Three concepts were generated and evaluated considering the selection criteria, and a final concept was selected using the decision matrix method. Following this, a detailed design and fabrication of the sub-systems such as the oil tank and a structure accommodate all the components. The developed system was tested on six different workpiece samples to compare the MQL system with the conventional one. In general, the MQL system resulted in lower surface roughness values as well as lower tool wear

Eating Behaviors during Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Eating disorders are complex illnesses with serious long-term consequences. They are linked to negative outcomes such as miscarriage, low birth weight, and other obstetric and postpartum difficulties. Our study in Muscat, Oman, examines the eating habits of pregnant women who consult primary care physicians. In this study, our aim is to identify key sociodemographic factors linked with eating disorders in Oman. Method: We used the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire to assess the potential for the presence of eating disorders. Chi-Square and Fisher&rsquo;s Exact tests were used to analyze relationships between improper eating behavior and independent variables. Results: The study showed that 1.6% of participants had a potential diagnosis of an eating disorder, with the most common inappropriate behavior being binge eating at a prevalence of 18.8%. A pre-gestational low Body Mass Index (BMI) was associated with a higher prevalence of binge eating during pregnancy. Additionally, we found that pregnant women who were working were more prone to self-induced vomiting. High BMI before pregnancy was significantly associated with various inappropriate eating behaviors, such as restraint behavior (p = 0.000), shape concern (p = 0.000), weight concern (p = 0.040), eating (p = 0.045), laxative use (p = 0.020), and excessive exercise (p = 0.043). Conclusion: The study reveals a high prevalence of eating disorders in pregnancy. Less educated women exhibit higher laxative use, while working women show more instances of binge eating and self-induced vomiting. These findings emphasize the critical need to prioritize targeted interventions and support for vulnerable pregnant women

Functional outcome and recurrence rate of arthroscopic bankart repair in Omani patients

Background: Traumatic anterior glenohumeral dislocation is one of the most common traumatic joint disorders in young and active individuals. Aim: To study the functional outcome and post-operative recurrence rate of recurrent shoulder instability operated by arthroscopic anterior stabilization in Omani patients. Study design: retrospective case series study. Methods: From 2015 to 2018, 69 patients underwent arthroscopic bankart repair at Khoula hospital, with a median follow-up of 20.49 months. Of these, 41 visited the clinic for scoring, while 29 were surveyed over the phone for recurrence using three scores: Oxford shoulder score, constant score, and Carter Rowe score. Results: Among the 70 patients 6 (8,5%) patients had recurrence of dislocation. With oxford shoulder score, 78% (32 patients) had satisfactory results and 17,1% (7patients) had mild to moderate and 7% (2 patients) had moderate to severe. At constant score, 36,6% (15 patients) of the patients had excellent results, 29,3% (12 patients) had good results 12,2% (5) patients had fair results and 22% (9 patients) had poor results. Patients not receiving post-operative physiotherapy had worse Rowe scores and Oxford functional outcomes. Military patients had worse results than labor workers, and labor workers performed worse than office workers. Conclusion: Anterior shoulder instability is challenging for young patients with high demands. External rotation deficit affects functional outcome and patient satisfaction. Results are comparable to published literature but recommend larger studies