Hygienic Quality Research Articles

Oral hygiene for severe care: a literature review

The efficacy and quality of oral hygiene are currently a major concern, especially in intensive care patients. This literature review assessed the available data on oral hygiene in intensive care patients using various antiseptics, as well as the methods of their use. The literature search was performed using databases Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, eLIBRARY.RU, and Google Scholar. Original peer-reviewed research on the clinical efficacy of oral care published between 2000 and 2023 were analyzed. The studies assessed the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide (n=2, 10%), chlorhexidine (n=10, 50%), Povidone-Iodine (n=2, 10%), and herbal formulations (n=4, 20%). According to the majority of studies, oral hygiene in intensive care patients reduces the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, but has no effect on the duration of artificial ventilation or the mortality rate. The study discovered the absence of a universal, effective protocol for oral hygiene in intensive care patients, as well as guidelines for the selection of antiseptics, their concentration, and application methods. This subject necessitates further research.

The Influence of Cultivation, Storage and Processing Technology on the Nitrate Content in Potato Tubers and Vegetable Crops as the Example of Ecologically and Hygienically Oriented Organic Agricultural Nature Management

The article presents the results of studies of the influence of organic and mineral fertilizers, as well as storage and processing technologies on the level of nitrates in potatoes, carrots and cabbage. The study demonstrated that in order to obtain the high yield of environmentally friendly vegetable crops, it is necessary to use biohumus at a norm of 8 t/ha or the combination of 6 t/ha biohumus and N35P35K40. This treatment can provide the potato yield of 420-440 c/ha, carrots 223-240 c/ha, cabbage 500-520 c/ha, while not exceeding the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) of nitrates. At a same time, studies have revealed that storage and processing of these vegetables under the required standard conditions can significantly reduce the amount of nitrates contained in the products. The work we have done shows an example of organic farming as the ecological and climatic project for carbon sequestration in soils, bioimprovement and bioprotection of soils, for increasing the yield and hygienic quality of the harvest. When processing the resulting vegetable products, toxic hazards to public health are eliminated and the ecological safety of the environment is ensured. Additional measures are needed to control the application of fertilizers to soils, the quality of agricultural products during collection, storage and processing.

Letter re: Glove Use/Hand Disinfection-Index (GUHDI): A new metric for hand hygiene quality.

Letter re: Glove Use/Hand Disinfection-Index (GUHDI): A new metric for hand hygiene quality.

CARCASS EVALUATION SYSTEMS IN THE EU

In order to obtain market transparency carcass classification in the EU has to be carried out according to regulations for different species. Besides the carcass weight objective measurements as a basis for the assessment of lean are available for pigs and partly for beef carcasses. Classification equipments for pigs are the same in various member states, but due to regional differences concerning breeds and consumer’s preferences different formulas are used to calculate lean content. Meat quality traits are not an integrated part of the payment system as yet. Subjective assessment by looking at conformation and fat coverage is applied for most of the beef and sheep carcasses in the member states. Poultry classification also considers hygienic quality of the carcass.

Histamine in Fishery: A Five-Year Survey in Northern Italy

Histamine is a biogenic amine and an indicator of fishery product freshness and hygienic quality. The European Regulation EC 2073/2005 sets the standards for fish sample collection and establishes quantitative levels of histamine in fishery products to ensure consumer health and safety. This retrospective study presents data on histamine monitoring in fish and fishery products collected in northern Italy between 2018 and 2022. A total of 138 samples were analysed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and then confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). Four samples found positive contained histamine levels above the legal limit. Monitoring via ELISA and HPLC-DAD can efficiently detect histamine in fish and fishery products and protect consumers’ health.

Chronotype, sleep hygiene, and sleep characteristics among athletes of different disciplines.

The objective of the study was to assess chronotype, sleep hygiene, and sleep characteristics of Italian athletes in order to identify differences among sport disciplines (team- vs individual-sports), level of competition (Elite vs Non-Elite) and sexes. Moreover, correlations between chronotype, sleep hygiene and sleep quality were evaluated. Two hundred eighty Italian athletes (Females:113; Males:167) participated in the study. They completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI) and the MorningnessEveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). Among the athletes, 66.4% were intermediate-type, 21.8% were morning-type and 11.8% were evening-type. 55.4% of the sample was classified as good sleeper (PSQI<5), while 16.1% had poor sleep hygiene (SHI≥35). Females had higher total sleep time (p=0.022) than males. Individual-sports showed more morning-oriented score (p=0.001) and lower PSQI (p=0.006) and SHI (p<0.001) scores, with earlier timing of sleep (bedtime:p<0.001; wake-up time:p<0.001) compared to teamsports. Elite athletes exhibited greater sleep efficiency (p=0.009), and lower sleep latency (p=0.018) and wake after sleep onset (p=0.043) than Non-Elite athletes. Additionally, significant correlations were found between PSQI and SHI (r=0.43, p<0.001), and between MEQ and SHI (r=-0.35, p<0.001). This study yields crucial insights into the sleep behaviors of Italian athletes, revealing that nearly half of the sample were bad sleepers.

Improvement of Hygienic and Phytochemical Qualities of Mangosteen (Garcinia Mangostana) Peel by Irradiation

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of gamma ray and x-ray irradiation at different dose levels 95, 10, 15 and 20 kGy) on in mangosteen peel. The antioxidant activities were assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), while total phenolic contents and antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli of 60 % ethanolic mangosteen powder extracts were analyzed. The results indicated that both types of ionizing radiations showed a non-significant decrease in measured parameters with increasing doses. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of irradiated mangosteen peel extracted against S. aureus and E. coli ranged from 0.125 to 2.0 mg/mL. The quantity of bioactive compound mangostin determined via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), did not show significant decrease with different irradiation sources and doses. In microbiological aspect, total yeast and mold from both irradiation sources were reduced by 1 log cycle after irradiation at 5 kGy. The irradiation induced color changes corresponding to Hunter color L a b value. X-ray irradiation caused slight color alteration compared to gamma rays. The advantage of x-ray irradiation was that it revealed non-significant changes in b values, whereas gamma irradiation showed the significant change in L, and b values with increasing dosage. The x-ray irradiation at the dose 5 kGy effectively decreased microbial contamination while causing minimal changes to phytochemical qualities and color. HIGHLIGHTS Irradiation at 5 kGy was sufficient to control microbial contamination There were no significant changes in antioxidant activities (DPPH, FRAP), a-mangostin contents, total phenolic contents (TPC) and antibacterial activities: after irradiation up to 20 kGy X-ray irradiation was an excellent alternative to gamma irradiation for decontamination with a non-significant alteration in b values. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

The Effect of Fatty Acids Profile in Potato and Corn Chips on Consumer Preferences.

The global market for potato and corn chips is rapidly expanding due to the modern fast-paced lifestyle. However, the high fat content, especially saturated fats in these deep-fried snacks, poses significant health risks such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, and diabetes. In this study, fatty acid profiles of commercially available corn and potato chips are analyzed and their impacts on consumer preferences in Turkey is examined. The findings reveal notable differences in the nutritional content between potato and corn chips, with potato chips generally having higher fat and protein content. The survey results indicate that consumer preferences are significantly influenced by age, education level, and occupation. The factor analysis identified three main components affecting purchasing decisions: nutritional value and additives, hygiene and brand quality, and price and affordability. Considering these insights, manufacturers should be encouraged to reformulate their products to meet the increasing demand for healthier options, emphasize food safety standards, and balance product quality with affordability to appeal to a broader range of consumers.

Influence of Ensiling Timing and Inoculation on Whole Plant Maize Silage Fermentation and Aerobic Stability (Preliminary Research)

Despite efforts to prevent atypical ensiling conditions, such as delayed ensiling or sealing, these issues frequently occur in practice. This study aimed to investigate the effects of delayed ensiling (forage held for 24 h) and sealing, along with inoculation using a blend of Lentilactobacillus buchneri and Lactococcus lactis, on the characteristics of the resulting silages. Whole-plant maize (Zea mays L.) was treated with or without a commercial inoculant and ensiled (36% dry matter) for 60 days in 3.0 L glass containers. The forage was either ensiled immediately or subjected to a 24 h delay before ensiling. During the delay, the forage was either covered or left uncovered. Each treatment was replicated five times. All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS statistical software (version 9.4; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Delaying the ensiling process by 24 h worsens fermentation parameters, significantly increases dry matter (DM) losses (p &lt; 0.01), and significantly reduces aerobic stability and the hygienic quality of the silage (p &lt; 0.01), as evidenced by higher concentrations of undesirable fermentation products and elevated yeast and mold counts. The inoculation has a significant impact on both forage before ensiling and the characteristics of the resulting silage. Maize forage treated with inoculant showed a lower temperature increase by 8.2–8.1 °C (p &lt; 0.01) when delayed for 24 h before ensiling. In silages, it also resulted in a reduced pH (p &lt; 0.01); increased concentrations of lactic acid; acetic acid; and 1,2-propanediol (p &lt; 0.01); and decreased levels of negative fermentation indicators such as ammonia-N, alcohols, and butyric acid (p &lt; 0.01) During both the fermentation and aerobic exposure periods, inoculated silages exhibited up to 36% and 2.6 times lower (p &lt; 0.01) dry matter loss, while suppressing the growth of yeasts and molds by up to 2.6 and 3.1 times (p &lt; 0.01), respectively, compared to non-inoculated silages. The results of this study support the recommendation to minimize the duration of aerobic exposure of fresh forage during silo filling and to use LAB-based inoculants.

The influence of storage conditions on hygiene condition and eicosapentaenoic acid oxidation in Nannochloropsis algae for sustainable food supply.

Nannochloropsis algae contain approximately 20% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and hold significant potential for high-quality eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) food industrialization. However, EPA in Nannochloropsis sp. is prone to oxidation, and microbial growth is a critical factor affecting the shelf life of fresh food. Storage composition and temperature are primary factors influencing microbial growth, yet these aspects are not fully understood. This study investigates the effects of temperature and encapsulation on EPA content in nano-products over time. Nano-powder and nanobeads derived from Nannochloropsis sp. served as raw materials. Additionally, changes in aerobic plate counts and coliform groups were monitored. The results indicated that nanobeads, due to their more complex processing and less mature packaging, were more susceptible to coliform contamination compared to nano-powder. In terms of EPA stability, nanobeads exhibited a longer storage life than nano-powder. The oxidation rate of both nano-powder and nanobeads was faster at 37 °C than at 25 °C. These findings can inform general shelf life estimation, rapid detection of total lipid content in nano-products and macro extraction of nano-oil. Moreover, they have significant implications for delaying EPA oxidation in nano-products and improving hygienic quality control for microbial detection. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of Temporomandibular Disorders on the Oral Hygiene Status and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of Young Adults

Objective: This study aimed to provide basic data to develop effective measures to improve the oral hygiene and oral health-related quality of life of individuals by preventing temporomandibular disorders. Methods: Data were collected from 148 young adults who visited the Department of Dental Hygiene of K University in Region D for practical training. The collected data were subjected to independent sample t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient and logistic regression analyses. Results: Incidence of temporomandibular disorders and oral hygiene status were significantly negatively correlated with oral health-related quality of life, whereas that of temporomandibular disorders was significantly positively correlated with the oral hygiene status. Additionally, incidence of temporomandibular disorders was 3.821 times higher in the poor oral hygiene group than in the good oral hygiene group and 0.845 times lower in the good oral health-related quality of life group than in the poor oral healthrelated quality of life group. The explanatory power of these factors was 53.9%. Conclusions: These results suggest the importance of the prevention, early detection, and treatment of temporomandibular disorders to ensure good oral hygiene status and oral health-related quality of life of young adults. Furthermore, there is need for effective oral health education measures, including oral health projects for young adults, to prevent and treat temporomandibular joint disorders.

Optical detection and enumeration of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica using a low-magnification light microscope

A rapid and cost-effective method for detecting bacterial cells from surfaces is critical to food safety, clinical hygiene, and pharmacy quality. Herein, we established an optical detection method based on a gold chip coating with 3-mercaptophenylboronic acid (3-MPBA) to capture bacterial cells, which allows for the detection and quantification of bacterial cells with a standard light microscope under low-magnification (10×) objective lens. Then, integrate the developed optical detection method with swab sampling to detect bacterial cells loading on stainless-steel surfaces. Using Salmonella enterica (SE1045) and Escherichia coli (E. coli OP50) as model bacterial cells, we achieved a capture efficiency of up to 76.0 ± 2.0 % for SE1045 cells and 81.1 ± 3.3 % for E. coli OP50 cells at 103 CFU/mL upon the optimized conditions, which slightly decreased with the increasing bacterial concentrations. Our assay showed good linear relationships between the concentrations of bacterial cells with the cell counting in images in the range of 103 -107 CFU/mL for SE1045, and 103 -108 CFU/mL for E. coli OP50 cells. The limit of detection (LOD) was 103 CFU/mL for both SE1045 and E. coli OP50 cells. A further increase in sensitivity in detecting E. coli OP50 cells was achieved through a heat treatment, enabling the LOD to be reduced as low as 102 CFU/mL. Furthermore, a preliminary application succeeded in assessing bacterial contamination on stainless-steel surfaces following integration with the approximately 40 % recovery rate, suggesting prospects for evaluating the bacteria from surfaces. The entire process was completed within around 2 h, costing merely a few dollars per sample. Considering the low cost of standard light microscopes, our method holds significant potential for practical industrial applications in bacterial contamination control on surfaces, especially in low-resource settings.

Occurrence of Uncultured Legionella spp. in Treated Wastewater Effluent and Its Impact on Human Health (SCA.Re.S Project).

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) provide optimal conditions for the environmental spread of Legionella. As part of the Evaluation of Sanitary Risk Related to the Discharge of Wastewater to the Ground (SCA.Re.S) project, this study was conducted to evaluate the presence of Legionella in WWTP effluent and in groundwater samples collected from two wells located downstream from the plant. The samples were analyzed to determine the concentrations of Legionella spp using the standard culture-based method and molecular techniques, followed by genomic sequencing analysis. Legionella was detected only with the molecular methods (except in one sample of effluent positive for L. pneumophila serogroup 6), which showed viable Legionella pneumophila and L. non-pneumophila through the use of free DNA removal solution in both the effluent and groundwater, with concentrations that progressively decreased downstream from the plant. Viable L. pneumophila appeared to be slightly more concentrated in warm months. However, no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) in concentrations between cold and warm months were observed. A genotypic analysis characterized the species present in the samples and found that uncultured Legionella spp, as yet undefined, constituted the prevalent species in all the samples (range 77.15-83.17%). WWTPs play an important role in the hygienic and sanitary quality of groundwater for different uses. The application of Legionella control systems during the purification of effluents is warranted to prevent possible outbreaks of legionellosis.

Impact of oral health conditions on the quality of life of children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia: A cross-sectional study.

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is the most common hemoglobinopathy in Brazil and worldwide and is part of a group of chronic genetic diseases resulting from abnormalities in the structure of hemoglobin. To evaluate the impact of oral health conditions on the quality of life (QoL) of children and adolescents with SCA. This is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 76 children and adolescents aged 8-14 years. For inclusion, they were required to have a diagnosis of HbSS SCA in their medical records, without a pain crisis or any dental emergency in the last three months. The children and adolescents with SCA were from Hematology and Hemotherapy Center of Maranhão. Demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, oral hygiene, caries, malocclusion, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) were assessed. OHRQoL was assessed using the Child Perceptions Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Student's t and Mann-Whitney tests were performed (α = 5%). Brown race was the most prevalent for both age groups (8-10 years-63.2% and 11-14 years-57.9%). Predominant monthly family income for both age groups was below $106. Visible plaque and gingival bleeding were higher in children aged 8-10 years. Dental caries significantly impacted the QoL of adolescents through the domain "oral symptom" (p = .031). Malocclusion significantly impacted the QoL of adolescents ("total score," p = .026; "social well-being", p = .045). Oral health impairment negatively affected the QoL of adolescents with SCA.

A Descriptive Study to Assess the Quality of Sleep and Sleep Hygiene among Patients Diagnosed with Neurotic Disorders attending OPD, LGBRIMH, Tezpur and to Develop a Sleep Hygiene Education Protocol

A Descriptive Study to Assess the Quality of Sleep and Sleep Hygiene among Patients Diagnosed with Neurotic Disorders attending OPD, LGBRIMH, Tezpur and to Develop a Sleep Hygiene Education Protocol

Evaluation of a Video-Based Concept for Hand Hygiene Education of Parents in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Current clinical guidelines support family-centered care in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). This implies parents should also be involved in the most critical patient safety measures. Hand hygiene is the single most important tool to prevent healthcare-associated infections and related long-term effects. Although often studied in healthcare workers, the hand hygiene compliance of parents is rarely assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational video, available in ten different languages, in teaching parents hand hygiene techniques in a NICU, lowering the burden on the staff. Parents in the intervention group were educated through a video; the control group received personal instruction from healthcare workers. The primary outcome parameter was the predicted probability of passing a subsequent hand scan. The quality of hand hygiene among parents educated through the video was at least as good as that of those who received instruction from a healthcare worker, demonstrated by a higher predicted probability of passing the hand scan (43.8% vs. 57.1% in male and 67.9% vs. 75.9% in female participants). The feedback from the intervention group was predominantly positive, with most parents (62%) expressing a preference for video-based education. Implementing a video-based approach seems to be effective for educating parents about hand hygiene in a NICU and was well accepted by the parents. This method offers a consistent standard of hand hygiene education, helps to overcome language barriers, and can also be used as regular reminder of the importance and proper technique of hand hygiene.

Legal Approaches To Addressing The Social Determinants Of Public Health: The Scenario In India

The enhanced scope, services, and rising investment by both public and private entities are driving the rapid and vigorous growth of the Indian healthcare system. Clinical trials, hospitals, medical equipment, telemedicine, health insurance, and medical appliances are all included in the scope of healthcare. Numerous factors, including our residence, heredity, environmental conditions, income, and education, all contribute to the health of individuals and communities and have significant effects on public health care.Environment and circumstances are major factors in determining an individual's state of health as well. For the health care system to be successfully implemented, it must be designed to adhere to specific human rights norms. A strong regulatory framework is essential to achieving favourable results for human health. By enforcing sanitary regulations on things like food safety, abattoir hygiene, and water quality monitoring, it reduces the likelihood of contracting diseases. The result is a shaky human health care system due to wide gaps in the enforcement, monitoring, and evaluation processes. This is also a result of inadequate funding for medical care for people, a lack of dedication and leadership on the part of health professionals, and a lack of community.

Application of PDCA in improving hand hygiene compliance and nosocomial infection quality in orthopedics†

Abstract Objective To explore the effect of the Plan-Do-Check-Action (PDCA) cycle on hand hygiene and nosocomial infection quality of orthopedic medical staff. Methods The whole year of 2021 was selected to monitor the quality of hand hygiene and hospitalization. Follow-up monitoring and real-time recording during the period of morning shift and medical operation concentration time, and compare the compliance of hand hygiene before and after implementation, and evaluate the quality of nosocomial infection. Results The hand hygiene compliance of doctors and nurses in stage P was 82%. The compliance of medical staff in stage D was 93%. The compliance of stage C was 94% and that of stage A was 95%. The quality score of hospital self-examination nosocomial infection was also significantly increased. Conclusions The PDCA management cycle can effectively improve the compliance of hand hygiene and the nosocomial infection quality, which is worthy of circulatory application in orthopedic nosocomial infection quality control, especially improving the quality of hand hygiene.

Fermentation Parameters, Amino Acids Profile, Biogenic Amines Formation, and Bacterial Community of Ensiled Stylo Treated with Formic Acid or Sugar.

Substantial proteolysis occurs and free amino acids can be degraded to biogenic amines by decarboxylation during stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis) ensiling. High biogenic amine concentrations in silage are harmful to the health of ruminant animals. The purposes of this work were to (1) analyze the biogenic amines and amino acids concentrations, bacterial composition, and fermentation profile of spontaneously fermented stylo silage, (2) explore the effect of formic acid or sugar additive on these silage parameters, and (3) further reveal the correlations between silage amines and fermentation parameters, amino acids, and bacteria. Freshly chopped stylo was treated with distilled water (control), formic acid (4 mL/kg), and sugar (20 g/kg) and fermented for 28 days. The results indicated that putrescine (321 mg/kg dry matter), cadaverine (384 mg/kg dry matter), and tyramine (127 mg/kg dry matter) rapidly increased in concentration and become predominant in the control silage after 28 days of fermentation. Applying formic acid and sugar at ensiling, especially the acidifier, significantly decreased putrescine, cadaverine, tyramine, and total biogenic amine concentrations compared with the control treatment (p < 0.0001). Clostridium pabulibutyricum, Weissella cibaria and W. paramesenteroides were the predominant bacteria in the control silage, and the application of both additives remarkably lowered their relative abundance in comparison with the control treatment (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed that putrescine, cadaverine, and tyramine were positively related to pH, butyric acid, non-protein nitrogen, and ammonia nitrogen (p < 0.01). These amines also had significant correlations with C. pabulibutyricum, W. cibaria and W. paramesenteroides (p < 0.001). Putrescine, cadaverine, and tyramine were the main biogenic amines and C. pabulibutyricum was the predominant undesirable bacterium in naturally fermented stylo silage. C. pabulibutyricum, W. cibaria and W. paramesenteroides were positively related to putrescine, cadaverine, and tyramine formation. The application of formic acid or sugar significantly reduced the undesirable bacterial population and improved the fermentation and hygienic quality of the stylo silage. These findings lay the foundation for further elucidating the microbial mechanism underlying the main biogenic amine formation during fermentation of stylo silage.

Cultivating Excellence: Formalizing Street Food Enterprises in Bangladesh through Quality Management and Customer Relationship Strategies

Purpose: Street foods are enjoyed by all walks of life throughout the world. It offers a variety of delicacies, easily accessible and affordable. The street food industry in Bangladesh is of no exception. However, street food vendors in Bangladesh typically come from low socioeconomic backgrounds and lack appropriate understanding of good production methods resulting in poor sanitary standards. The purpose of this study is to examine the prospects for sustainability and growth in Bangladesh's street food business since this sector has great economic potential for the country. Approach: Qualitative research approach was employed by interviewing ten street food vendors. The interviewees were asked on a wide range of questions including their history, understanding of quality management, understanding of customer relationship management, planning and delivery, and the regulatory frameworks under which business is conducted (18 questions in all). Findings: The findings reveal that street food vendors are not well-versed in waste reduction, hygiene, or food quality. They have very limited knowledge on how to manage their customer interactions or develop any skills in this area. Formalization of street food business is observed as a key driver towards sustainability and growth for this sector. Originality: This study brings to light the challenges of street food in Bangladesh arising from weakness in quality management and customer relationship management roadmap. Risk management, contingency planning, training, formal licensing, and audits are critical in order to improve industry sustainability.