Listeria monocytogenes in Milk Products

peer-reviewedMilk and milk products are frequently identified as vectors for transmission of Listeria monocytogenes. Milk can be contaminated at farm level either by indirect external contamination from the farm environment or less frequently by direct contamination of the milk from infection in the animal. Pasteurisation of milk will kill L. monocytogenes, but post-pasteurisation contamination, consumption of unpasteurised milk and manufacture of unpasteurised milk products can lead to milk being the cause of outbreaks of listeriosis. Therefore, there is a concern that L. monocytogenes in milk could lead to a public health risk. To protect against this risk, there is a need for awareness surrounding the issues, hygienic practices to reduce the risk and adequate sampling and analysis to verify that the risk is controlled. This review will highlight the issues surrounding L. monocytogenes in milk and milk products, including possible control measures. It will therefore create awareness about L. monocytogenes, contributing to protection of public health

B-31 The Experience of Shame in Individuals with Epilepsy

Abstract Objective This study explored the impact of shame on individuals with epilepsy and its relationship with seizure characteristics, other self-conscious emotions, quality of life, and multiple psychosocial factors. Method Fourteen participants diagnosed with epilepsy (57% female, mean age 42, mean epilepsy duration 16 years) were recruited from a private neurology practice and local epilepsy support groups. All were interviewed about their history of epilepsy. Measures included the Compass of Shame Scale, State Shame and Guilt Scale, and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy–10. Results of Pearson and Spearman’s rho correlations as well as mean comparison analyses are reported (p &lt; .05). Results Participants generally scored higher on measures of shame than standardization samples. Quality of life related negatively to overall seizures (r = -.71) and positively to pride (r = .56). Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were positively related to state-shame (r = .61) and negatively related to pride (r = -.77). State-shame related positively to guilt (r = .57) and negatively to pride (r = -.76). Overall trait-shame related to personal traits of withdrawal (r = .64), attacking self (r = .78), and attacking others (r = .66). Participants with previous neurosurgical treatment for epilepsy endorsed fewer shame withdrawal traits (t[12] = -3.19) than nonsurgical patients. Participants currently working endorsed lower levels of state-shame (t[12] = -2.36) and higher quality of life (t[12] = 3.58) than unemployed participants. Conclusions Shame presented as a strong factor in individuals with epilepsy as it related to seizure type and frequency, history of neurosurgical intervention, and employment status. Findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive treatment of patients with epilepsy, including consideration of potential shame feelings, in order to achieve optimal overall quality of life. </jats:sec

Neuropsychological Characteristics of College Males Who Show Attention Dysfunction

400 male college students were screened on a measure of vigilance, the Continuous Performance Test. A Good Attention Group (upper 5% of the CPT score distribution) and a Poor Attention Group (lower 5%) were selected and compared on a series of perceptual and motor tests. The Good Attention Group was superior to the Poor Attention Group on most of the measures. The largest differences were found on tests assessing perceptual-motor organization. Attention dysfunction in this non-patient sample seems to be associated with performance deficits. Over-all, the pattern of neuropsychological results seen in the Poor Attention Group is not similar to the pattern seen in patients with lateralized brain damage but appears more similar to that seen in those with bilateral and diffuse cortical damage. </jats:p

Mechanism and Localization of Speech in the Parietotemporal Cortex

Abstract Cortical stimulation of the supramarginal and angular gyri elicited dysphasia. Delays in verbal response, misnaming, and difficulties in speech production were also elicited from this region. In two patients speech arrest occurred when stimulation was extended into the occipital cortex and the cortex medial to the supramarginal gyrus, respectively. In a left-handed patient, with speech representation presumed to be in the right hemisphere, neither stimulation nor ablation of the angular gyrus resulted in dysphasia. After anterior temporal resections two patients exhibited dysphasia in association with cortical edema. In one of these an additional resection in the inferior temporo-occipital region produced a marked but transient dyslexia. Observations of the disintegration of speech function during stimulation suggest that such stimulation interferes with a search mechanism by which the nonverbal concept of a visual stimulus is linked to a specific word in memory that is then withdrawn for use. A review of autopsy specimens demonstrates how close the cortex bearing indispensable speech representation lies to the occipital pole and the parietal midline. Because the gyral pattern is obscured by the meninges and is subject to anomalies, elective resection in these areas should be preceded by cortical stimulation and functional mapping.</jats:p

B-49 Family Expectations regarding Functional Disability following Moderate/Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Objective The present study explored self-concept and treatment motivation in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) based on what their family members recalled having been told by health care professionals to expect about functional changes following brain injury. Method Adult family members (76% female) of nineteen individuals with moderate/severe TBI (mean age 38; 4 yrs post) were asked about expected functional changes. Patients completed the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS:2) and Motivation for Rehabilitation Treatment Questionnaire. Patients and families completed the Neurobehavioral Functioning Inventory (NFI). Results of point biserial correlational analyses (p &lt; .05) are reported. Results NFI and TSCS:2 results placed within the average range. Patients expressed stronger interest in rehabilitation when their families had been told that they might not have survived or that they would not recover to their premorbid levels (r = .43-.47). When families had not been told to expect changes, patients were more self-critical and evidenced lower personal self-concept if not warned specifically about cognitive problems (r =.44 ). When families were told not to expect recovery, patients acknowledged lower family and personal self-concept (r = .53-.64) and poorer self-satisfaction (r = .66). Conclusions Key findings underscore detrimental impact on TBI patients when their families did not expect functional changes during recovery. Patients expressed greater interest in rehabilitation when their families had been told they would not recover to their premorbid baseline. Results suggest that health professionals should inform families about potential physical, cognitive, and emotional changes following moderate/severe TBI; negative residua of not doing so may persist in patients for years into recovery. </jats:sec