Potential Public Health Issue Research Articles

Use of Essential oils as potential antimicrobial agents in meat preservation

The Producers and the manufacturers have been challenged by the increasing demand for the safe and high-quality meat and meat products over the past few decades. Particularly, the recent demand for minimally the processed, the easily prepared, and the ready-to-eat meat products combined with the novel concepts of all-natural and clean-label has rapidly increased. These products may contain natural or organic ingredients without artificial preservatives that do not trigger the common food allergies or the sensitivities. The meat and the meat products are highly prone to microbial contamination since they are rich in essential nutrients and perishable. This is further accelerated by some intrinsic factors including pH and water activity of the fresh meat. In general, the freshest meat has a water activity value higher than 0.85, and its pH value falls within the favorable pH range for spoilage bacteria of the meat. Hence, deterioration in quality and potential public health issues is common if these products are not properly handled and preserved. The significant spoilage of the meat and the meat products occurs every year at different levels of the production chain including the preparation, the storage, and the distribution. Besides the lipid oxidation and the autolytic enzymatic spoilage, the microbial spoilage plays a significant role in this deterioration process leading to a substantial economic and environmental impact.

Management of Allergic Rhinitis in the United Arab Emirates: Expert Consensus Recommendations on Allergen Immunotherapy.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the upper airways caused by a type I hypersensitivity reaction triggered by environmental allergens. AR is associated with significant morbidity and affects patients' quality of life, emotional well-being, productivity, and cognitive functioning. As AR prevalence and morbidity have increased significantly worldwide, similar observations have been noted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with AR becoming a potential public health issue. Management of AR in the UAE is mainly provided by non-allergy specialists relying on first-line treatments such as intranasal steroids and antihistamines, with often suboptimal and short-term efficacy. Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT) is the only currently available disease-modifying treatment option in the form of either subcutaneous or sublingual allergen immunotherapy that has been proven to have long-term benefits. This article aims to provide recommendations regarding the use of AIT for managing AR in the UAE, considering both the current landscape in the Emirati healthcare system and local experience.

Chemodynamic Therapy of Glioblastoma Multiforme and Perspectives.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a potential public health issue, is a huge challenge for the advanced scientific realm to solve. Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) based on the Fenton reaction emerged as a state-of-the-art therapeutic modality to treat GBM. However, crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to reach the GBM is another endless marathon. In this review, the physiology of the BBB has been elaborated to understand the mechanism of crossing these potential barriers to treat GBM. Moreover, the designing of Fenton-based nanomaterials has been discussed for the production of reactive oxygen species in the tumor area to eradicate the cancer cells. For effective tumor targeting, biological nanomaterials that can cross the BBB via neurovascular transport channels have also been explored. To overcome the neurotoxicity caused by inorganic nanomaterials, the use of smart nanoagents having both enhanced biocompatibility and effective tumor targeting ability to enhance the efficiency of CDT are systematically summarized. Finally, the advancements in intelligent Fenton-based nanosystems for a multimodal therapeutic approach in addition to CDT are demonstrated. Hopefully, this systematic review will provide a better understanding of Fenton-based CDT and insight into GBM treatment.

The effects of methylparaben exposure on biofilm tolerance to chlorine disinfection

Parabens are emerging contaminants that have been detected in drinking water. Their presence in DW distribution systems (DWDS) can alter bacterial behaviour, characteristics, and structure, which may compromise DW disinfection. This work provides insights into the impact of methylparaben (MP) on the tolerance to chlorine disinfection and antibiotics from dual-species biofilms formed by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolated from DW and grown on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PPL). Results showed that dual-species biofilms grown on PPL were more tolerant to chlorine disinfection, expressing a decrease of over 50 % in logarithmic reduction values of culturable cells in relation to non-exposed biofilms. However, bacterial tolerance to antibiotics was not affected by MP presence. Although MP-exposed dual-species biofilms grown on HDPE and PPL were metabolically more active than non-exposed counterparts, HDPE seems to be the material with lower impact on DW risk management and disinfection, if MP is present. Overall, results suggest that MP presence in DW may compromise chlorine disinfection, and consequently affect DW quality and stability, raising potential public health issues.

Food Additives and Food Acceptability

The Producers and the manufacturers have been challenged by the increasing demand for the safe and high-quality meat and meat products over the past few decades. Particularly, the recent demand for minimally the processed, the easily prepared, and the ready-to-eat meat products combined with the novel concepts of all-natural and clean-label has rapidly increased. These products may contain natural or organic ingredients without artificial preservatives that do not trigger the common food allergies or the sensitivities. The meat and the meat products are highly prone to microbial contamination since they are rich in essential nutrients and perishable. This is further accelerated by some intrinsic factors including pH and water activity of the fresh meat. In general, the freshest meat has a water activity value higher than 0.85, and its pH value falls within the favorable pH range for spoilage bacteria of the meat. Hence, deterioration in quality and potential public health issues is common if these products are not properly handled and preserved. The significant spoilage of the meat and the meat products occurs every year at different levels of the production chain including the preparation, the storage, and the distribution. Besides the lipid oxidation and the autolytic enzymatic spoilage, the microbial spoilage plays a significant role in this deterioration process leading to a substantial economic and environmental impact.

Protective effects of benfotiamine on cyfluthrin-induced testicular damage and sperm characteristics during the prepubertal period.

Cyfluthrin, a widely used synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, poses potential risks to both human health and the environment due to its extensive application in residential, agricultural, and outdoor settings. Conversely, benfotiamine, a fat-soluble derivative of vitamin B1, offers versatile therapeutic potential. This experimental study aimed to investigate the impact of cyfluthrin exposure during the prepubertal period on sperm characteristics and testicular tissue integrity in male rats, as well as to assess the protective effects of benfotiamine. A total of 32 4-week-old Wistar albino male rats were divided into four groups. Group I received daily oral gavage of 1 ml/kg/day of olive oil (control). Group II was administered cyfluthrin (54 mg/kg/day) dissolved in 1 ml of olive oil. Group III received both cyfluthrin (54 mg/kg/day) and benfotiamine (100 mg/kg/day) in olive oil. Group IV was given benfotiamine (100 mg/kg/day) in olive oil. After 5 weeks of treatment, the rats underwent evaluations for sperm motility, epididymal sperm density, and abnormal sperm rates. Additionally, their testicular tissues were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. This study underscores the potential hazards of cyfluthrin exposure on male reproductive health and highlights the protective role of benfotiamine in mitigating these effects. It emphasizes the importance of careful pesticide usage and dosage considerations to prevent potential public health issues, including infertility, associated with long-term exposure to pesticides like cyfluthrin.

Design and Optimisation of Sustainable Sample Treatments Based on Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction and Strong Cation-Exchange Purification with Functionalised SBA-15 for Opium Alkaloids in Ground Poppy Seeds.

An analysis methodology was optimised and validated for the quantification of opium alkaloids (OAs) in ground poppy seeds. This involved ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) purification before analysis using a high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry detector (HPLC-MS/MS). UAE was optimised through the design of experiments with three factors and a three-level full factorial design. For SPE optimisation, a commercial material was compared with a previously synthesised material of SBA-15 silica functionalised with sulfonic groups (SBA-15-SO3-). The synthesised material demonstrated superior efficiency with only 25 mg and proved to be reusable for up to four cycles. The methodology was properly validated in terms of linearity, limits of detection and quantification, and selectivity. Matrix effects were negligible; adequate recovery values (85-100%) and inter-day and intra-day precision (≤15%) were obtained. The greenness of the method was evaluated with the AGREEprep metric scale, being more environmentally friendly compared to OA analysis methods. Finally, the method was applied to different samples of ground poppy seeds and revealed a concentration of 140 mg/kg of morphine equivalents in one of the samples, surpassing the legislatively established limits by sevenfold. This highlights the need to analyse these types of samples to mitigate potential public health issues.

Racism as a Public Health Issue for Nurses of Color in Clinical and Academic Settings: Ten Nurses Tell Their Stories.

The aim of this study was to bring awareness to how racism and discrimination, accompanied by bullying and incivility, negatively impact the health of nurses of color. Racism and discrimination encountered in the daily lives of nurses of color present risk for psychological and physiological damage to their health. Repeated exposure to racism and discrimination leads to cumulative stress that may pose a negative impact on the health status of affected nurses. Phenomenology served as the methodology for this research study. The principal investigator transcribed and coded data from 10 nurse participants. Data illustrate a pattern of nurses of color experiencing discrimination and racism, with racism being a potential public health issue. Their stories may empower others to make positive, productive decisions and persevere. Long-term exposure to racism and its related potential effects on nurses' health presents a grave concern for nurses of color.

A Novel Pathogen of an Emerging Infectious Disease (Large Kidney Disease) in Farmed Blue Foxes

An emerging infectious disease (EID) in foxes called “large kidney disease”, characterized by enlarged kidneys, has been breaking out in fox farms in China, although its pathogenesis has not yet been elucidated. Here, we performed viral metagenomics sequencing on diseased fox tissue samples that identified a virus with 82.6% homology to the xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) PreXMRV-1 provirus strain (GenBank accession number NC_007815.2) in sick fox tissue. It was named PreXMRV-20, and its genome was verified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR product sequencing. Nonenveloped and polygonal virus-like particles consistent with the shape and size of XMRV were observed by negative staining electron microscopy. Administered subcutaneously, PreXMRV-20 infected weaned foxes, leading to growth retardation. The discovery of the PreXMRV-20 strain (the first isolation of an XMRV homolog in blue foxes) identifies a potential public health issue in blue fox breeding since XMRV has been confirmed to be a zoonotic virus.

Molecular epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in cattle in Korea.

Toxoplasmosis is a major public health concern, with raw or undercooked meat being the primary source of human infection. Knowledge regarding the molecular epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in cattle destined for human consumption in Korea is lacking. The present study aimed to genetically characterize the infectious strains of T. gondii. Overall, 455 cattle blood samples from 84 farms in the Gyeongnam-do (Province) were randomly collected in 2017. Nested PCR analysis revealed that only 3 (0.7%) samples were infected with T. gondii. The B1 gene sequence of T. gondii was observed to be similar (97.3-99.6%) to that of other T. gondii isolates. This is the first study to perform the molecular detection of T. gondii in cattle in Korea. Although the prevalence of infection was low, our findings suggest that cattle present a potential public health issue. It may be crucial to recognize the importance of T. gondii infection in cattle meat.

Socio-Demographic and Clinical Profile of Patients with Osteoporosis

Background: Osteoporosis is a disease which is characterized by low bone mass and susceptibility to fracture. Now a day, osteoporosis is considered as a potential public health issue. Year after year, thousands of people attending several hospital and clinics for taking treatment of osteoporosis in Bangladesh. But we have very limited research-based information regarding the socio-demographic and clinical profile of patients with osteoporosis. Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to prepare a socio-demographic and clinical profile of patients with osteoporosis. Methods: This prospective observational study and was conducted in the Diabetic Association Medical College and Hospital, Faridpur, Bangladesh during the period from January 2020 to December 2021. In total 103 confirmed patients with osteoporosis were included as the study subjects for this study. Proper written consents were taken from all the participants before data collection. A predesigned questioner was used in data collection. All data were collected, processed and analyzed by using MS Office and SPSS version 23 programs as per need. Results: In this study, female participants were dominating in number and the male-female ratio was 1:2. The highest number of the participants was found from 41-60 years’ age group which was 43%. Among all the participants only 13% was illiterate and 27% were housewife; which was the highest number as a single occupation. Majority of the participants of our study were from lower class families as per the socio-economic condition. About half (46%) of our study people were with normal body-weight (BMI: 18.0-24.9). History of any bone fracture was found in 18% patients only. Among 33%, 42% and 25% participants the vitamin D level was found as< 20, 20 – 30 and > 30 ng/ml respectively. Conclusion: Osteoporosis is one of the severe health problems in the elderly population. The frequencies of this disease are alarming. With the improvement of socio- economic status, ....

Escherichia coli O157:H7 senses microbiota-produced riboflavin to increase its virulence in the gut

Riboflavin is produced by most commensal bacteria in the human colon, where enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) colonizes and causes diseases. Sensing environmental signals to site-specifically express the type-III secretion system (T3SS), which injects effectors into host cells leading to intestinal colonization and disease, is key to the pathogenesis of EHEC. Here, we reveal that EHEC O157:H7, a dominant EHEC serotype frequently associated with severe diseases, acquired a previously uncharacterized two-component regulatory system rbfSR, which senses microbiota-produced riboflavin to directly activate the expression of LEE genes encoding the T3SS in the colon. rbfSR is present in O157:H7 and O145:H28 but absent from other EHEC serotypes. The binding site of RbfR through which it regulates LEE gene expression was identified and is conserved in all EHEC serotypes and Citrobacter rodentium, a surrogate for EHEC in mice. Introducing rbfSR into C. rodentium enabled bacteria to sense microbiota-produced riboflavin in the mouse colon to increase the expression of LEE genes, causing increased disease severity in mice. Phylogenic analysis showed that the O55:H7 ancestor of O157:H7 obtained rbfSR which has been kept in O157:H7 since then. Thus, acquiring rbfSR represents an essential step in the evolution of the highly pathogenic O157:H7. The expression of LEE genes and cell attachment ability of other EHEC serotypes in the presence of riboflavin significantly increased when rbfSR was introduced into them, indicating that those serotypes are ready to use RbfSR to increase their pathogenicity. This may present a potential public health issue as horizontal gene transfer is frequent in enteric bacteria.

When Chemicals Go to the Dark Side

When Chemicals Go to the Dark Side

The rhizosphere microbiome improves the adaptive capabilities of plants under high soil cadmium conditions.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination of agricultural soils poses a potential public health issue for humans. Phytoremediation-based accumulating plants are an effective and sustainable technology for Cadmium remediation of contaminated agricultural soil. The rhizosphere microbiome can promote the growth and Cadmium accumulation in hyperaccumulators, but its taxonomic and functional traits remain elusive. The present study used two ecotypes of Sedum alfredii, an accumulating ecotype (AE) and a non-accumulating ecotype (NAE), as model plants to investigate the rhizosphere microbiome assemblages and influence on plant growth under high cadmium conditions. Our results showed that distinct root microbiomes assembled in association with both ecotypes of S. alfredii and that the assemblages were based largely on the lifestyles of the two ecotypes. In addition, we demonstrated that the functions of the microbes inhabiting the rhizosphere soils were closely associated with root-microbe interactions in both ecotypes of S. alfredii. Importantly, our results also demonstrated that the rhizosphere microbiome assembled in the AE rhizosphere soils contributed to plant growth and cadmium uptake under high cadmium conditions through functions such as nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, indole acetic acid (IAA) synthesis, and siderophore metabolism. However, this phenomenon was not clearly observed in the NAE. Our results suggest that the rhizosphere microbiome plays important roles in biogeochemical nutrient and metal cycling that can contribute to host plant fitness.

Kandovan the next ‘Capadoccia’? – A potential public health issue for erionite related mesothelioma risk

Background:The Kandovan region in Iran is physically and geologically similar to the Cappadocian region in Turkey where fibrous zeolites, including erionite, have been found in volcanic tuffs. In some Cappodocian villages there is strong evidence that erionite, and possibly related minerals, are responsible for the high level of mesothelioma found there. So, although mesothelioma clusters have not been reported in Kandovan, it is a plausible hypothesis that many cases of mesothelioma in Iran may be due to naturally occurring fibrous zeolites.Methods: A detailed study of Iranian geology was made to determine similarities between the Kandovan region and Cappadocia, ‘inter-mountain zones’ in the Western US and Mexico. Areas where mesothelioma cases probably attributable to erionite exposure have been found. Results:Although there is a long history of asbestos use in Iran many cases of mesothelioma do not present with positive asbestos exposure histories. Since fibrous zeolites are so widespread, why have not more mesotheliomas attributable to them been found throughout Iran? Various possible reasons were explored including misdiagnosis, poor surveillance, a general lack of awareness that this tumor may be linked to mineral fibre exposure. There is also the analytical problem of identifying fibrous erionite in lung tissue.Conclusions:There is every reason to believe mesotheliomas due to fibrous zeolite including erionite will be found in Iran. The most likely places to find them are the villages that look very similar to those found in Cappadocia since these are based upon similar geological formations.

UK dogs eating raw meat diets have higher risk of Salmonella and antimicrobial‐resistant Escherichia coli faecal carriage

ObjectivesTo compare detection of Salmonella species and antimicrobial‐resistant Escherichia coli in the faeces of dogs eating raw meat or non‐raw diets and examine risk factors for their carriage.Materials and MethodsCanine faecal samples (raw fed n=114; non‐raw fed n=76) were collected from May to July 2015 from across the UK. Enrichment and selective culture and biochemical and PCR assays were used to identify isolates. Escherichia coli underwent susceptibility testing to a range of antimicrobials, including third‐generation cephalosporins; PCR assays were used to detect antimicrobial‐resistant genes. Questionnaires were used to collect data on independent variables as risks for antimicrobial‐resistant (resistant to ≥1 tested antimicrobial), multi‐drug‐resistant (resistant to ≥3 antimicrobial classes) and third‐generation cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli.ResultsAntimicrobial‐resistant, multi‐drug‐resistant and third‐generation cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli were significantly more likely to be detected in raw fed (54, 25 and 31%, respectively) compared to non‐raw fed (17, 4 and 4%, respectively) dogs; Salmonella species were detected in eight (4%) raw fed dogs only.Clinical SignificanceRaw fed dogs may be a source of Salmonella species and Escherichia coli, resistant to highest priority critically important antimicrobials, representing a potential animal welfare and public health issue. Owners should be aware of the risks, especially households with members, both human and canine, who are very young, elderly or immunocompromised.

Prevalence of Escherichia coli and Antibiotic Resistance in Clinical and Food Samples

Escherichia coli is a crucial indicator of hygiene for animal derived foods and clinical samples. Since E. coli is a zoonotic disease, its contamination poses a severe risk to public health due to the consumption of foods that have been treated with antibiotics and the overuse of antibiotics to treat a variety of bacterial infections in humans. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to ascertain the emergence of MDR E. coli strains in specific foods and clinical samples from Egypt. Fifteen clinical samples of urine, stool, and pus, and 15 dietary samples containing vegetables, meat, milk, cheese, and chicken were randomly obtained from various locations in Egypt for this study. The thirty E. coli-positive samples that were isolated from the two sources were tested for antibiotic susceptibility to eleven different antibiotics and biochemical identification. According to the study, all clinical isolates were completely resistant to both ampicillin/sulbactam and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Cefoxitin and cephalexin resistance were present in 93.3 and 86.6 percent of the isolates, respectively. On the other hand, all clinical isolates were sensitive to Imipenem. However, all the food isolates were sensitive to Levofloxacin, Aztreonam, and Imipenem, whereas 100% of the isolates were resistant to Ampicillin/Sulbactam and 93.3 percent of the isolates were resistant to Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid. We discovered that both individual and MDR-resistant E. coli were widespread in clinical and feed samples. This may suggest that these foods produced by animals and plants have the potential to contaminate other foods and other peoples with antibiotic-resistant E. coli, raising a potential public health issue. This study highlights the importance of promoting sanitation and minimizing the use of antibiotics. It is crucial to perform a multicenter study to assess the spread and evolution of MDR E. coli in hospital studies, as well as in foods originating from both plants and animals.

Entomological Surveillance in Former Malaria-endemic Areas of Southern Italy.

Malaria still represents a potential public health issue in Italy, and the presence of former Anopheles vectors and cases imported annually merit continuous surveillance. In areas no longer endemic, the concurrent presence of gametocyte carriers and competent vectors makes re-emergence of local transmission possible, as recently reported in Greece. In October 2017, due to the occurrence of four suspected introduced malaria cases in the province of Taranto (Apulia region), entomological investigations were performed to verify the involvement of local anopheline species. In 2019–2020 entomological surveys were extended to other areas historically prone to malaria between the provinces of Taranto and Matera and the province of Foggia (Gargano Promontory). Resting mosquitoes were collected in animal shelters and human dwellings, larvae were sampled in natural and artificial breeding sites, and specimens were both morphologically and molecularly identified. A total of 2228 mosquitoes were collected, 54.3% of which were anophelines. In all the investigated areas, Anopheles labranchiae was the most widespread species, while Anopheles algeriensis was predominant at the Gargano sites, and Anopheles superpictus and Anopheles plumbeus were recorded in the province of Matera. Our findings showed a potentially high receptivity in the surveyed areas, where the abundance of the two former malaria vectors, An. labranchiae and An. superpictus, is related to environmental and climatic parameters and to anthropic activities.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of foodborne pathogens in value‐added commodities procured from farmers' markets in Central Virginia

AbstractFood safety concerns associated with products purchased at farmers' markets have arisen, highlighting the growing need for farmers' market consumer and producer awareness of potential public health issues. The focus of this quantitative research study was to assess the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of foodborne pathogens in select value‐added commodities (i.e., animal treats, soil amendments, herbs, honey, dressings, exotic foods, etc.) randomly procured from farmers' markets in Central Virginia. Between March and November 2017, collection of 194 samples originating from 40 individual farmers' market vendors selling at 11 different farmers' markets transpired. Detection of potentially harmful bacterial species within collected samples was as follows: 0.5% Campylobacter, 24.5% Escherichia coli, 16.7% Listeria, and 1.0% Salmonella. Bacterial isolates (n = 155) of Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella were tested for their susceptibility to 12 antimicrobials. Tetracycline and ampicillin resistance showed the highest frequency among E. coli (approximately 30%) isolates. Nalidixic acid resistance was the highest in Listeria isolates (79.4%). Approximately 17% of E. coli isolates and more than 50% of each Campylobacter, Listeria, and Salmonella isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR). No E. coli isolates had matching pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis profiles demonstrating that the isolates had a high degree of genomic diversity and farm specificity. This study demonstrated an emerging public health threat of the presence of MDR arising from farmers' market‐acquired value‐added commodities. The importance of this research study highlights the value of implementing good agricultural and handling practices from farm (producer vendors) to table (consumers) to avert potential foodborne illness occurrence. Future research to determine potential reasons and supply chain interventions for the observed prevalence of MDR bacterial isolates from farmers' market value‐added products is paramount.

Management and cleanup of legacy radium-contaminated sites in the United States

The hazards associated with radium-containing materials were largely unknown when they were first introduced into household and other products over a century ago. Radium was also originally thought to have beneficial health properties, leading to confusion amongst the public about the safety of radium in household products and food items. When the adverse health effects associated with radium were discovered and became well known, radium products became unpopular and were prohibited in some countries. In the United States, after the hazards associated with radium became known, radium was first regulated by individual states in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Later, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was given a role in the regulation of discrete sources of radium with the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. After passage of the Act, the NRC began to systematically identify sites around the country where radium was used and reached out to site owners to determine whether existing radium contamination could pose a risk to public health and safety and the environment. The NRC devised a graded approach in response to its new regulatory responsibilities to address potential public health and safety issues at legacy radium sites. By September 2019, the NRC had dispositioned all the sites that were identified as having potential contamination from historical radium within its regulatory purview in non-Agreement States. The staff worked with site owners and federal, state and local officials, as needed, to properly disposition the sites to ensure that each site either meets the applicable criteria for unrestricted use or has controls in place to limit access during remediation so that no site poses an unacceptable risk to public health and safety and the environment.