Potential Sources Of Contamination Research Articles

591. Positivity of Blood Culture on Automated Incubation System After 72 Hours and Clinical Significance from the Large United States Tertiary Care Center

Abstract Background Hospitals commonly use automated blood culture incubation systems that provide continuous monitoring for routine blood cultures. Detecting microorganisms early on can help optimize the utilization of antibiotics (ABx) and enable clinicians to de-escalate or discontinue ABx as necessary, making it an important aspect of antimicrobial stewardship. The BD BACTEC Fx, an automated system for blood culture incubation, holds blood culture bottles until growth is demonstrated or for five days unless an extended incubation period is requested by the infectious disease physician. We conducted a clinical evaluation of the significance of positive blood cultures after 72 hours of incubation time. Methods After receiving approval from the institutional review board (IRB), we obtained positive blood cultures from July 2017 to June 2020, which we then stratified based on positivity from day one to day five. To evaluate clinical significance, we retrospectively reviewed charts for positive blood culture results on day four and day five. An Infectious Diseases subspecialty team determined the clinical significance of each case. Results During the time frame of July 2017 to June 2020, there were 120,320 blood cultures taken. Out of these, 7,558 were determined to be positive, with 76 being positive on day 4 and 22 being positive on day 5. Upon further inspection of patients with positive blood cultures, it was discovered that repeat blood cultures continued to be positive due to either untreated sources or a high burden of bacteremia. It was also found that bottles containing fungus, particularly candida glabrata and candida albicans, tested positive on day 4 requiring treatment. Table 1 and Table 2 contain more detailed results. Blood cultures positive on day 4 Blood cultures positive on day 4 and clinical significance Blood cultures positive on day 5 Blood cultures positive on day 5 and clinical significance Conclusion In our study we have found that not all positive blood cultures at 72 hours translate into clinical scenarios requiring antibiotic therapy. In fact, prolonged antimicrobial treatment in such cases may lead to unnecessary exposure to antibiotics and increased risk of antibiotic resistance. It is important to consider the full context of clinical and laboratory findings when interpreting blood culture results, as well as any potential sources of contamination. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Investigating the quality of groundwater in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Lagos State

ABSTRACT This study assessed the groundwater quality in the rapidly urbanizing peri-urban region of the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area in Lagos State, Nigeria, during the rainy season. This study employed a two-stage sampling technique to select representative sampling locations, including boreholes and hand-dug wells. Seven towns in Ibeju-Lekki were sampled for this study. A total of 14 sampling points were chosen for the analysis of 15 water parameters, which included five physical parameters (NTU, TCU, E.C. TDS and TSS), eight (8) chemical parameters (pH, T.H. Ca, Mg, Cl-, NO3-, SO42- and Fe), and two (2) microbial parameters (E.Coli count and BOD) after standard procedures. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using Python to assess correlations between the physicochemical parameters. The results were compared with water quality standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ). In addition, a water quality index (WQI) was calculated to provide a single numerical expression of the overall water quality. The findings revealed variations in the quality of borehole and well water, with some parameters exceeding the recommended standards, such as magnesium and iron concentrations. The presence of elevated turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and electrical conductivity (E.C.) in well water indicated potential contamination sources. The study also demonstrated the significance of understanding physicochemical parameter correlations in groundwater quality assessment. The WQI results emphasized that groundwater is suitable for various purposes, including animals and other domestic and agricultural purposes. However, the paper recommended routine monitoring and thorough treatment to address the high magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe) levels in both borehole and well water sources.

Exploring microbial diversity during the artisanal Salchichón production: Food safety in the consumer spotlight

A study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological quality, safety, and variability along the production chain of two artisanal salchichón factories in Andalusia. Aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMB), total coliforms, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus spp. (CPS), lactic-acid bacteria, moulds and yeasts and the presence of bacterial pathogens were investigated in 3 batches of raw materials, finished products, food-contact surfaces (FCS) and indoor ambient air by using classical microbiological and PCR/PFGE techniques. Of the 171 samples analysed, high inter-batch variability in microbial loads was observed. The prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus in samples was 7.01% and 4.67%, respectively. Raw meat and FCS were identified as the potential sources of contamination of the finished products, with 16.67% testing positive for L. monocytogenes and 10% for S. aureus. Diverse sources of L. monocytogenes and a wide range of high pulsotypes were identified in the smaller producer. Although the largest producer showed better hygiene control, L. monocytogenes was detected in salchichón samples with growth-supporting physicochemical values. Therefore, the implementation of food safety management systems, hygiene measures for raw materials and monitoring of hazards are encouraged. Finally, the findings of this study offer valuable and current empirical data that can be used in risk assessments.

Agricultural abandoned lands as emission sources of dust containing metals and pesticides in the Sonora-Arizona Desert.

This investigation examines the transport of metal- and pesticide-polluted dust emitted by one of the most relevant agricultural areas of Northwestern Mexico. In the contaminated area, an excessive water extraction of the aquifer and seawater intrusion caused the abandonment of fields, which are pollutant-loaded dust emitters. We used air mass forward trajectories (HYSPLIT) model to obtain particle trajectories in the wind and the use of banned pesticides as geochemical tracers for dust transported by wind. Fifty dust samples from 10 agriculture fields and 26 roof dust of a city close to the agricultural area were analyzed for their contents of zirconium, lead, arsenic, zinc, copper, iron, manganese, vanadium, and titanium, by portable X-ray fluorescence. Nine pesticides were analyzed in the roof dust and agricultural soil samples by gas chromatography. Results show that the distribution of metals was significantly different between active and abandoned fields. Arsenic-lead-copper was mainly concentrated in abandoned fields, while zinc-iron-manganese-titanium was dominant in active fields. Two potential sources of metal contamination were found by principal component analysis (PCA): (I) a mixture of traffic and agricultural sources and (II) a group related to agricultural activities. The occurrence of banned pesticides in dust deposited on roofs collected at nearby cities confirms the atmospheric transport from the agricultural area. The HYSPLIT results indicated that the dust emitted from agricultural fields can reach up to the neighboring states of Sonora, Mexico, and the USA. The impacts that these emissions can have on human health should be studied in future research.

Serotype Distribution, Antimicrobial Resistance, Virulence Genes, and Genetic Diversity of Salmonella spp. Isolated from small-scale Leafy Green Vegetable Supply Chains in South Africa

Salmonella have been implicated in foodborne disease outbreaks globally and is a pressing concern in the South African small-scale sector due to inadequate hygiene standards and limited regulatory oversight, leading to a higher risk of foodborne diseases. By investigating irrigation water and leafy green vegetables produced by small-scale growers and sold through unregulated supply chains, this study was able to determine the presence, serotype distribution, virulence gene profiles, antibiotic resistance, and genetic diversity of Salmonella isolated from these sources. From 426 samples, 21 Salmonella-positive samples were identified, providing 53 Salmonella isolates. Of these, six different Salmonella serotypes and sequence types (STs) were identified, including Salmonella II 42:r: ST1208 (33.96%; n = 18), Salmonella Enteritidis: ST11 (22.64%; n = 12), Salmonella II 42:z29: ST4395 (16.98%; n = 9), Salmonella Havana: ST1524 (15.09%; n = 8), Salmonella Typhimurium: ST19 (9.43%; n = 5), and Salmonella IIIb 47:i:z: ST7890 (1.89%; n = 1). A total of 92.45% of the isolates were found to be multidrug-resistant, showing high rates of resistance to aztreonam (88.68%; n = 47), ceftazidime (86.79%; n = 46), nalidixic acid (77.36%; n = 41), cefotaxime (75.47%; n = 40), cefepime (71.70%; n = 38), and streptomycin (69.81%; n = 37). All isolates possessed the aac(6')-Iaa antimicrobial resistance gene, with a range of between 9 and 256 virulence genes. Eleven cluster patterns were observed from Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus sequence analyses, demonstrating high diversity among the Salmonella spp., with water and fresh produce isolates clustering, suggesting water as a potential contamination source. Plasmid replicon types were identified in 41.51% (n = 22) of the isolates, including Col(pHAD28) in Salmonella Havana (5.66%; n = 3), Col156 in Salmonella II 42:z29:- (1.89%; n = 1) and both IncFIB(S) and IncFII(S) in Salmonella Enteritidis (22.64; n = 12), Salmonella Typhimurium (9.43%; n = 5), and Salmonella Havana (1.89%; n = 1). This study highlights the presence of multidrug-resistant and multivirulent Salmonella spp. in the small-scale leafy green vegetable supply chains, underscoring the need for the development of a “fit-for-purpose” food safety management system within this system.

Separation of fission products from high-level waste salt systems by partial crystallization: CsCl-NaCl-LiCl-KCl study

Pyroprocessing refers to a series of high-temperature molten-salt processes used to manage and recycle nuclear materials to reduce the waste volume and hazardous environmental impact of the final waste products. Fission products with high halide affinity, including cesium (Cs-137) with a half-life of 30 years, are dissolved into a molten-salt bath. The separation and recovery of cesium can benefit waste-stream minimization because Cs-137—a strong gamma-ray emitter—is a potential source of environmental contamination. This work proposes the recovery of Cs+ from a chloride-salt matrix using a thermally controlled solid-liquid separation. Thermodynamic calculations for the CsCl-NaCl-LiCl-KCl system were performed to predict the partitioning of Cs+ into liquid and solid phases as functions of salt composition and temperature. The selected composition simulated the formulation of high-level salt waste from used fuel treatment. These calculations showed that once the solidus temperature was reached, Cs+ partitions to the liquid phase. According to the thermodynamic calculations, a thermally controlled liquid-solid separation holds the potential to recover up to 92.8 % of the initial cesium chloride. The phase transition temperatures of the sample, including the solidus and liquidus temperatures, were determined using differential scanning calorimetry. The phase composition of the system was studied at various temperatures using high-temperature X-ray diffraction. A laboratory-scale crystallization apparatus was used to melt the sample partially, allowing the collection of the liquid fraction for elemental analysis. All results demonstrated that Cs+ in this system concentrates in the liquid phase and confirmed the viability of recovering CsCl through thermally controlled solid-liquid separation.

The Plastic Within: Microplastics Invading Human Organs and Bodily Fluids Systems

Microplastics (MPs), small plastic particles resulting from the degradation of larger plastic items and from primary sources such as textiles, engineered plastic pellets, etc., have become a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. As their prevalence in the natural environment grows, concerns about their potential impacts on human health have escalated. This review discusses current research findings on the presence of MPs in organs such as the liver, blood, heart, placenta, breast milk, sputum, semen, testis, and urine, while also exploring plausible mechanisms of translocation. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the importance of understanding the potential toxicological effects of MPs on various physiological processes within these organs and their broader implications for human health. This review also examines the pathways through which MPs can enter and accumulate in human organs and bodily fluids, shedding light on the intricate routes of exposure and potential health implications. It is worth noting that the invasive medical procedures may permit direct access of MPs to the bloodstream and tissues, serving as a potential contamination source. However, it is evident that a comprehensive understanding of MPs’ invasion into human organs is vital for effective mitigation strategies and the preservation of both human health and the environment.

Analysis of the environmental integrity of water springs in rural areas

The Brazilian legislation recognizes water springs and their surroundings as permanent preservation areas. In rural areas, many property owners do not follow the legislation, compromising their integrity and ecosystem functions. The objective of the study was to evaluate the environmental integrity of water springs in rural areas using the Environmental Impact Index of Springs and new indicators for planning, recovery, and preservation actions. The study was carried out in the northwest of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, analyzing water springs with different use and conservation conditions. The Environmental Impact Index of Springs was evaluated and a detailed description of risks of pollution was carried out, called Characterization of the Surroundings of the Water Spring. The Environmental Impact Index of Springs shows that the preservation of springs in rural areas is compromised, mainly due to absence of vegetation, use by humans and animals, and easy accessibility. The Characterization of the Surroundings of the Water Spring pointed out that, even in the presence of vegetation, potential sources of contamination are found, showing the need for action plans to mitigate these effects. The joint use of these methodologies provides multidisciplinary and comprehensive subsidies to assess the integrity of these threatened ecosystems.

Molecular Detection and Distribution of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. Infections in Wild and Domestic Animals in Portugal

Enteric protozoan parasites Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., and, to a lesser extent, the ciliate Balantioides coli are responsible for severe human and animal intestinal disorders globally. However, limited information is available on the occurrence and epidemiology of these parasites in domestic, but especially wild species in Portugal. To fill this gap of knowledge, we have investigated G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., and B. coli occurrence, distribution, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential by analyzing 756 fecal samples from several wild carnivores (n = 288), wild ungulates (n = 242), and domestic species (n = 226) collected across different areas of mainland Portugal. Overall, infection rates were 16.1% (122/756; 95% CI: 13.59–18.96) for G. duodenalis and 2.7% (20/756; CI: 1.62–4.06) for Cryptosporidium spp., while no ungulate sample analyzed yielded positive results for B. coli. Giardia duodenalis was found across a wide range of hosts and sampling areas, being most prevalent in the Iberian lynx (26.7%), the Iberian wolf (24.0%), and the domestic dog (23.9%). Cryptosporidium spp. was only identified in wild boar (8.4%), red fox (3.4%), Iberian lynx (3.3%), red deer (3.1%), and Iberian wolf (2.5%). Sequence analysis of G. duodenalis determined zoonotic assemblage A (subassemblage AI) in one roe deer sample, canine-specific assemblages C and D in Iberian wolf, red fox, and domestic dog, and ungulate-specific assemblage E in wild boar, sheep, cattle, and horse. Six Cryptosporidium species were identified: C. scrofarum in wild boar, C. canis in the Iberian wolf and red fox, C. ubiquitum in red deer and wild boar, C. felis in the Iberian lynx, and both C. ryanae and C. occultus in red deer. Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. coinfections were observed in 0.7% (5/756) of the samples. This is the first, most comprehensive, and largest molecular-based epidemiology study of its kind carried out in Portugal, covering a wide range of wild and domestic hosts and sampling areas. The detection of zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis subassemblage AI demonstrates the role of wild and domestic host species in the transmission of these agents while representing a potential source of environmental contamination for other animals and humans.

Drinking Water Resources Suitability Assessment Based on Pollution Index of Groundwater Using Improved Explainable Artificial Intelligence

The global significance of fluoride and nitrate contamination in coastal areas cannot be overstated, as these contaminants pose critical environmental and public health challenges across the world. Water quality is an essential component in sustaining environmental health. This integrated study aimed to assess indexical and spatial water quality, potential contamination sources, and health risks associated with groundwater resources in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia. Groundwater samples were tested using standard methods. The physiochemical results indicated overall groundwater pollution. This study addresses the critical issue of drinking water resource suitability assessment by introducing an innovative approach based on the pollution index of groundwater (PIG). Focusing on the eastern region of Saudi Arabia, where water resource management is of paramount importance, we employed advanced machine learning (ML) models to forecast groundwater suitability using several combinations (C1 = EC + Na + Mg + Cl, C2 = TDS + TA + HCO3 + K + Ca, and C3 = SO4 + pH + NO3 + F + Turb). Six ML models, including random forest (RF), decision trees (DT), XgBoost, CatBoost, linear regression, and support vector machines (SVM), were utilized to predict groundwater quality. These models, based on several performance criteria (MAPE, MAE, MSE, and DC), offer valuable insights into the complex relationships governing groundwater pollution with an accuracy of more than 90%. To enhance the transparency and interpretability of the ML models, we incorporated the local interpretable model-agnostic explanation method, SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). SHAP allows us to interpret the prediction-making process of otherwise opaque black-box models. We believe that the integration of ML models and SHAP-based explainability offers a promising avenue for sustainable water resource management in Saudi Arabia and can serve as a model for addressing similar challenges worldwide. By bridging the gap between complex data-driven predictions and actionable insights, this study contributes to the advancement of environmental stewardship and water security in the region.

Health risk analysis of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) in groundwater in Yogyakarta City, Indonesia

Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene (BTEX) are persistent and bio-accumulative compounds that occur in petroleum-based products. Benzene is categorized as a carcinogenic substance while ethylbenzene is potentially carcinogenic. One of the sources of BTEX contamination in the environment is gas stations. The leakage of underground storage tanks (UST) of gas stations is a potential source of groundwater contamination, while in many areas, it is the main source of daily water consumption. The long-term consumption of this BTEX-contaminated groundwater may generate health risks. This paper will present the health risk analysis of the consumption of BTEX-contaminated groundwater taken from dug wells near a gas station in Yogyakarta City which has a history of major leakage. Analysis of BTEX in groundwater samples has been already presented in the previous study. Data for intake calculation was acquired through questionnaires and interviews on water consumption patterns. Risk analysis was conducted for both the carcinogenic effect of benzene and the non-carcinogenic effect for all BTEX compounds. Health risk analysis on BTEX exposure in groundwater resulted in the Hazard Quotient (HQ) value for all compounds which were still less than one, meanwhile, the Excess Cancer Risk (ECR) for benzene was less than 10-4. The result indicates the low health risk associated with the consumption of BTEX-contaminated groundwater in the study area.

Assessment of spatio-temporal variation in microbial quality of groundwater for irrigation and drinking water: A case study in Santa Lucia canton, Ecuador

The community of Paipayales is placed in the Santa Lucía Canton of Guayas Province, Ecuador. The residents rely mainly on well water for irrigation of their agricultural products, as well as for consumption. This study aimed to evaluate the temporal and spatial variation in microbial quality among different wells in Paipayales. Additionally, the research aimed to identify potential sources of contamination by assessing the association between groundwater microbial sources and land use patterns. The microbiological and physicochemical quality of 26 water wells were studied across 16 months. Samples were taken at the end of dry season in November 2018 (ED), beginning of dry season June 2019 (BD), and rainy season February 2020 (RS). Overall, the mean values of all studied microorganisms were found to be lowest in ED, followed by BD and RS. Fecal indicators microorganisms displayed less variability compared to heterotrophic aerobic bacteria, and Pseudomonas, all of which showed significant differences between years (p < 0.01). No significant difference was found between microorganisms and well characteristics. Out of the analyzed E. coli strains, seven (16.66%) exhibited resistance to at least one antibiotic, and two strains were found to be multiresistant. These findings indicate the influence of activities such as rice cultivation and animal husbandry near the wells, as well as the absence of proper sanitation facilities in their vicinity. Turbidity increased from 2018 to 2020, while pH, temperature, and salinity showed minimal variation across all years, with only a few samples displaying correlation. Most wells met the Ecuadorian guidelines for drinking water after disinfection, with only one sample failing to meet the irrigation standards. The results suggest that microbial communities in groundwater aquifers are primarily influenced by external factors, notably anthropogenic activities related to agriculture and urbanization in the area.

Assessment and Mapping of Water Quality in Urban Communities: Insights for Sustainable Development

Water quality is crucial for public health, ecosystem well-being, and sustainable development. However, ensuring access to safe and reliable water sources in urban communities takes time and effort. Assessing and mapping water quality in these communities is vital to understanding the current state of water resources, identifying potential contamination sources, and addressing health impacts. This descriptive study aims to assess and map water quality using clarity, color, odor, taste, safety, stability, and convenience parameters. Data were collected from eight sub-districts in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, and a questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews or electronic distribution. The study included 200 households selected through purposive sampling. The assessment revealed varying water quality among households, with the distribution as follows: good (46.0%), enough (29.0%), bad (19.0%), and poor (1.5%). Spatial mapping results indicated poor water quality in the Lakkang and Rappokalling sub-districts and inadequate water quality in the Lembo, Tallo, and Buloa sub-districts. Conversely, Wala-walaya and Bunga Eja Beru sub-districts exhibited good and sufficient water quality. The research underscores the importance of prioritizing water resource management and implementing measures for sustainable development goals. By doing so, we can enhance public health and preserve valuable ecosystems.

50 Individual Precision Feeding can Greatly Reduce Global Warming, Eutrophication, and Acidification Environmental Impacts

Abstract Nitrogen and phosphorus excretion are among the primary potential sources of environmental contamination in growing-finishing pig operations. Nutrient excretion can be reduced by feeding pigs with daily tailored diets to their estimated nutrient requirements using individual precision feeding (IPF) techniques. The environmental impact of moving from conventional group 3-phase-feeding (CON) to IPF systems in Québec, Canada, was evaluated in this study using life-cycle analysis. A cradle-to-farm gate life-cycle analysis was conducted using Simapro software (v. 8.0.3.14; PRE Consultants, Amersfoort, The Netherlands). The model included inputs and outputs of each sub-phase: raw materials/feedstuffs production, feed mill processing transport, animal rearing (maternity, weaning, and fattening units), and manure spreading in all livestock productions. All feed ingredients originated from Quebec (Montérégie region) and agricultural practices were simulated using real management data from an average farm in Quebec. Based on observed pig growth data, the CON and IPF systems were compared in the growing-finishing phase (Andretta et al., 2016). The IPF diets were obtained by blending two feeds (i.e., A and B), while CON diets were formulated according to the ones used by the industry. The evaluated impact categories were global warming (GW), eutrophication (EU), and acidification (AC). The functional unit was 1 ton of feed at the feed mill gate, and 1 ton of pig live weight at the farm gate for finished pigs. A Monte Carlo analysis was performed to determine the uncertainty of the growth performance results. Feeding programs were compared with ANOVA. Corn was the ingredient with greater GW and AC impacts, therefore, diets with greater corn content were those with greater impacts in these categories. Feed B, which contained 83.2% of corn, resulted in impacts of 570 kg of CO2 eq., 8.21 kg SO2 eq. and 6,27 kg PO4 eq. Diets with greater EU impact were those with a greater percentage of soybean meal. Feed A contained 25.4% of this ingredient and impacted 554 kg of CO2 eq., 6,84 kg SO2 eq. and 7.05 kg PO4 eq. CON diets had environmental impacts between those of feeds A and B. Compared with CON, IPF decreased GW by 5.1%, AC by 14.2% and EU by 12.2%. IPF significantly reduced the environmental impact in all categories due to the more efficient use of nutritional resources. IPF is an effective alternative to improve the sustainability of growing-finishing pig operations in Québec and likely other regions using corn and soybean-based diets.

A Review of the Status, Effects, Prevention, and Remediation of Groundwater Contamination for Sustainable Environment

Most water systems that support ecosystems and feed humans are depleted or stressed. Aquifer characteristics, topography, subsurface activities, climate, and geochemical processes regulate groundwater availability, a reliable source of fresh water. Globally, agriculture, industries, and the domestic sector are the three major sectors that consume vast quantities of freshwater resources. Further anthropogenic activities, such as soil leaching, acid rain, fertilizer, pesticides, mining, and other industrial activities, resulted in the release of organic and inorganic pollutants that affected global water resources. In India, groundwater is used in huge quantities, resulting in groundwater depletion of 1 to 2 m a year. Low-income countries face many issues related to water pollution, and the availability of safe water is minimal. In 2019, deaths due to unsafe sanitation accounted for 2.2% of the total global deaths, amounting to 1.2 million people’s deaths. India recorded 6.6% of deaths due to unsafe sanitation in 2019. India and China accounted for around 90.41% and 60.4% of the groundwater utilization for agricultural purposes, respectively. In 2020, China and India utilized vast quantities of nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) for crop growth to enhance crop yield, resulting in the highest nitrate and phosphate concentrations in groundwater. Remediating contaminants from different sources requires knowledge of their concentration, behavior, cycling, and degradation pathways. According to safety guidelines, limiting and optimizing crop organic and inorganic fertilizer, pesticide waste disposal, and empty container disposal can reduce groundwater contamination. The present study summarized groundwater utilization in various sectors, potential sources of groundwater contamination impacts on human health and the environment, preventive measures, and mitigation methods to overcome groundwater pollution.

Evidence of elevated heavy metals concentrations in wild and farmed sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) in New England

Seaweed farming in the United States is gaining significant financial and political support due to prospects to sustainably expand domestic economies with environmentally friendly products. Several networks are seeking appropriate synthesis of available science to both inform policy and substantiate the sector’s sustainability claims. Significant knowledge gaps remain regarding seaweed-specific food hazards and their mitigation; a resource-intensive challenge that can inhibit sustainable policies. This is particularly concerning for rapidly expanding Saccharina latissima (sugar kelp) crops, a brown seaweed that is known to accumulate heavy metals linked to food hazards. Here, we present baseline information about concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, in both wild and farmed sugar kelp from the New England region. We interpret our findings based on proximity to potential sources of contamination, location on blade, and available heavy metals standards. Contrary to our expectations, high concentrations were widespread in both wild and farmed populations, regardless of proximity to contamination. We find, like others, that cadmium and arsenic consistently reach levels of regulatory concern, and that dried seaweeds could harbor higher concentrations compared to raw products. We also share unique findings that suggest some toxins concentrate at the base of kelp blades. Our results are one step towards aggregating vital data for the region to expand its seaweed farming footprint.

Investigation of Quality Characteristics of Industrially Produced Halloumi Cheese

Χαλλούμι (Halloumi)/Hellim is the traditional cheese of Cy¬prus and belongs to whole of divided Island with Turkish and Greek name. Especially with the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/591 of 12 April 2021 that entering a name in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (‘Χαλλούμι’ (Halloumi)/‘Hellim’, the spotlights are more on the product nowadays. Commercial samples of fresh and mature halloumi cheeses made from sheep/goat, bovine or both milk were examined to evaluate their physicochemical and microbiological properties. In physicochemical analysis, potential of hydrogen (pH), titratable acidity (TA), salt-sodium chloride (NaCl), dry-matter (DM) ratios were analyzed. While examining the quality and safety indicators for microbiological analysis; total mesophilic aerob bacteria (TMAB), yeast and molds, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), coliform bacteria, coagulase-positive staphylococci, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. analyzes were made. This study will help establish the quality profile of halloumi cheese and identify potential hazards and sources of contamination.

Potential sources of water contamination in Sulaymaniyah city hospitals: isolation and identification of non-fermentative gram-negative bacteria

Potential sources of water contamination in Sulaymaniyah city hospitals: isolation and identification of non-fermentative gram-negative bacteria

The involvement of Pseudoterranova decipiens fish infestation on the shelf-life of fresh Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) fillet

Zoonotic nematodes of the family Anisakidae are highly common in many marine fish species, which act as paratenic hosts for the third larval stage. In the fish, these parasites may migrate from the fish's gastro-intestinal tract (GI-tract) further to the coelomic cavity and muscles, making them a possible contamination source of bacteria they carry on their cuticle and in their GI-tract. A previous study revealed no apparent effect of Anisakis simplex on spoilage of fish, but the equally common anisakid species Pseudoterranova decipiens has a larger body surface potentially increasing the bacterial load brought into the fish muscle upon migration. As the presence of shelf-life reducing spoilage bacteria in the microbiome of this anisakid species has been demonstrated, the objective of the present study was to assess the potential shelf-life reducing effect of P. decipiens in fresh fish fillets stored in a domestic refrigerator.Atlantic cod was used as a model since members of the cod family are the third most consumed marine fish globally and it has the highest prevalence of P. decipiens infections. Infected and non-infected codfish fillet portions were collected and microbiologically analyzed at day 0 and day 4 of storage in a domestic fridge. Three isolation media were used to enhance maximum bacterial recovery and isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In parallel to the microbiological examination, sensory analysis was performed daily on the cod fillets to evaluate the freshness of the fish.Results revealed the presence of typical spoilage bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas sp., Photobacterium sp.) in all fish, but based on the total viable counts, total H2S-producing bacteria, and sensory analysis, there were no objective indications to assume an increased fish spoilage rate by the presence and migration P. decipiens. Additionally, a beta-diversity comparison revealed no significant differences in microbiota composition between infected and non-infected fish parts, though individual heterogeneity in microbiome composition among Atlantic codfish individuals was found. As total viable counts did, however, exceed the guideline limits for fresh fish, further research should now focus on the role of the candling step as a potential source of post-harvest contamination. As such, anisakid infection might still accelerate fish spoilage, though now in an indirect way.

Healthcare-Associated Infections and the Hospital Bed.

Bedframes are a potential source of bacterial contamination, fomites, and healthcare-associated infections for patients with active skin wounds and other underlying conditions. Bedframes also differ in their design, materials, texture, and ease of disassembly for cleaning. In this study, the authors evaluated five hospital bedframes in terms of retained soil and ease of cleaning as rated by volunteers. Hospital mattresses were placed on five different bedframes and soiled with mock bodily fluids containing Geobacillus stearothermophilus endospores as an indicator organism for contamination. In a second set of experiments, volunteers evaluated the bedframes for ease of cleaning; fewer than 30% of the volunteers had experience cleaning in hospitals or had previously received infection-control training. Questionnaires evaluated subjective measures such as ease of cleaning and texture. Researchers observed a strong correlation between the initial amount of soil retained, the most probable number calculations of endospore counts, and the number of washes to reach extinction (no detectable endospores). Although volunteers' rankings for ease of cleaning were independent of the amount of soil retained, their rankings correlated with the actual washes to reach undetectable limits and bedframe materials that were perceived as harder to clean. This study demonstrates the importance of both bedframe design and user cleaning experience in reducing bedframes as a source of healthcare-associated infections.