Prevent Cross Contamination Research Articles

Contribution of Foods and Poor Food-Handling Practices to the Burden of Foodborne Infectious Diseases in France.

The foodborne disease burden (FBDB) related to 26 major biological hazards in France was attributed to foods and poor food-handling practices at the final food preparation step, in order to develop effective intervention strategies, especially food safety campaigns. Campylobacter spp. and non-typhoidal Salmonella accounted for more than 60% of the FBDB. Approximately 30% of the FBDB were attributed to 11 other hazards including bacteria, viruses and parasites. Meats were estimated as the main contributing food category causing (50–69%) (CI90) of the FBDB with (33–44%), (9–21%), (4–20%) (CI90) of the FBDB for poultry, pork and beef, respectively. Dairy products, eggs, raw produce and complex foods caused each approximately (5–20%) (CI90) of the FBDB. When foods are contaminated before the final preparation step, we estimated that inadequate cooking, cross-contamination and inadequate storage contribute for (19–49%), (7–34%) and (9–23%) (CI90) of the FBDB, respectively; (15–33%) (CI90) of the FBDB were attributed to the initial contamination of ready-to-eat foods—without any contribution from final food handlers. The thorough implementation of good hygienic practices (GHPs) at the final food preparation step could potentially reduce the FBDB by (67–85%) (CI90) (mainly with the prevention of cross-contamination and adequate cooking and storage).

Increasing the efficiency of mechanical ventilators during pandemics through additive manufacturing.

The COVID-19 pandemic tested medical facilities’ readiness in terms of the number of available mechanical ventilators. Most countries raced to stock up on ventilators, which created a surge in demand and short in supply. Furthermore, other means of coping with the demand were proposed, such as using additive manufacturing. The purpose of this paper was to test whether the addition of 3D-printed splitters would help deliver required tidal volume to each patient, while supporting four patients on a single ventilator for 24 hours on pressure mode at 25-cm H2O, and to determine whether a fifth patient can be ventilated. The ventilation of four human lungs was simulated using 3D printed parts, a single ventilator, four test-lungs, and standard tubing. Peak pressure, positive end-expiratory pressure, total tidal volume, individual tidal volume, total minute volume, and individual tidal volume data were collected. Usage of a 3D printed small size splitter enabled a 26% increase in individual tidal volume compared to standard tubing and a series of two-way splitters. The ventilator was able to supply the required pressure and tidal volume for 24 hours. A single ventilator with a four-way splitter can ventilate four patients experiencing respiratory failure for at least 24 hours without interruption. The equipment cannot sustain ventilating a fifth patient owing to minute volume limitation. This study expands on an earlier study that tested similar circuitry and reveals that the desired individual tidal volume is achieved. However, further research is required to provide the monitoring ability of individual patient parameters and prevention of cross-contamination.

Molecular typing of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from Turkey

ObjectivesAppropriate antibiotic therapy and prevention of cross-contamination are the most important subjects in tuberculosis (TB) control. The aim of this study was to investigate the major phylogenetic clades and transmission rate of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates (n = 200) from patients with TB in Sivas and Konya Provinces of Turkey. MethodsThe phylogenetic relationship among the isolates was investigated by spoligotyping method. In addition, the 24-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit–variable-number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing method was used to reveal cross-contamination. ResultsSpoligotyping revealed 13 different spoligotypes. A total of 188 strains (94.0%) were included in the cluster. The most prominent spoligofamily was the T family (43.0% of strains), followed by LAM (26.0%), H (8.0%), X and S (both 6.0%) and U (5.0%). Also, 12 strains (6.0%) belonged to the Beijing profile. MIRU-VNTR results showed 176 (88.0%) different genotypes among the isolates. In total, 24 strains (12.0%) were in the cluster. ConclusionsAccording to spoligotyping, there is a heterogeneous M. tuberculosis population in Turkey. MIRU-VNTR results showed that cross-contamination observed between MDR M. tuberculosis isolates in Turkey is controllable.

COVID-19 and the Silver Lining in Health Care Technology.

COVID-19 and the Silver Lining in Health Care Technology.

Behaviour of Non-O157 STEC and Atypical EPEC during the Manufacturing and Ripening of Raw Milk Cheese.

This study was carried out to assess the survival of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) during the traditional manufacturing and ripening of Spanish hard cheese from raw cow’s milk. Milk samples were spiked with up to 3.1–3.5 log cfu/mL of one strain of STEC (O140:H32 serotype) and one of aEPEC (serotype O25:H2). The first steps of cheesemaking allow for a STEC and aEPEC increase of more than 1 log cfu/mL (up to 4.74 log cfu/g and 4.55 log cfu/g, respectively). After cheese pressing, a steady reduction of both populations was observed, with the STEC strain being more sensitive. The studied pathogenic E. coli populations decreased by 1.32 log cfu/g in STEC and 0.59 log cfu/g in aEPEC in cheese ripened during a minimum period of 60 d. Therefore, a moderate contamination by these diarrhoeagenic E. coli pathotypes, in particular, with aEPEC, on cheese manufactured from raw milk may not be totally controlled through the cheesemaking process and during a maturation of 90 d. These findings remark the importance of improvement in bacteriological quality of raw milk and cross-contamination prevention with diarrhoeagenic E. coli in the dairy industry.

Microbiological safety of food: development of normative and methodical base

The main results and prospects of fundamental and applied hygienic research of the laboratory of biosafety and nutrimicrobiome analysis of the Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety (hereinafter - the Institute of Nutrition) in the direction of developing a regulatory and methodological framework for assessing the microbiological safety of food are reviewed. The formation of microbiological regulation as a scientific analytical and administrative managerial process in the former USSR and the Russian Federation is considered in the context of historical data, including personal contribution of the scientists of the Institute of Nutrition and other specialists. The basic principles of regulation are emphasized: the scientific validity of the established criteria and requirements, the feasibility, technological attainability, differentiation according to the degree of danger to the health of consumers, preventive nature. The resource of the national normative and methodological base in the field of microbiological food safety at the turn of the century is characterized, the features of the introduction of the microbiological risk assessment (MRA) methodology in the substantiation of Russian norms and measures for the prevention of food infections are described. The information is given on the developed guidance documents on MRA and on the examples of norms adopted on its basis. The article covers the issues of reglamentation the requirements for food safety and reducing the spread of new pathogens Stx-Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterobacter sakazakii, Campylobacter spp. in the food chain based on risk-oriented approaches. The necessity of taking specific measures for the prevention of cross-contamination in the poultry processing industry is substantiated, taking into account the evidence of the high adaptability of C. jejuni isolated from domestic raw poultry. In the sanitarian-mycological aspect, the monitoring perspective of mould fungi, taking into account their chemotypes, in cereals and non-grain plant products is shown to predict the risk of mycotoxin accumulation and take timely measures. The need to assess the impact on the population, taking into account the characteristics of consumption in the country, as well as the development of criteria for indirect risk of residues are argued for regulation of the antibiotics in food. In light of the challenges in the field of agro- and food technologies to public health at the present stage, contributing to the acceleration of microbial evolution and the emergence of new risks in food, the priority tasks of improving the regulatory and methodological base for assessing microbiological safety have been identified, with an emphasis on the introduction into the process of substantiating the norms of innovative OMICs-technologies based on the achievements of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics.

Reduced Incidence of Healthcare-associated Infections in a Long-term Care Facility by Converting to Automated Touchless Dispensing and Closed-refill Systems

Background Automated touchless dispensing and closed-refill systems minimize touch points that help prevent cross contamination events and reduce dispenser contamination with clinically significant pathogens in healthcare settings. Additionally, most consumers prefer touchless dispensing when using public restrooms. However, many healthcare settings still utilize manual dispensers for soap and sanitizer. Some even have open, bulk, refillable dispensing systems and manual pumps and dispensers. A finding of a clinical in-use study revealed a significant reduction in the incidence of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) following the conversion to automated touchless soap and sanitizer dispensing systems with premeasured dosage amounts in a long-term care (LTC) care facility. Methods A LTC facility was qualified as a testing site for clinical in-use study of hand hygiene (HH) products’ impact on healthcare workers’ (HCWs) hands. The facility replaced all HH manual dispensing systems and locally purchased hygiene products with automated touchless dispensers, closed-refill systems, and quality formulations. In addition to the biophysical measurements of HCWs hands using bioengineering instrumentation, the baseline incidence of HAIs was recorded prior to the intervention and surveillance continued from 2014 to 2018. HAI rates provided by the testing site were compared to the baseline data collected in 2014 with specific emphasis on the infection outbreak season from October to December in each year. Results Descriptive data analysis of HAI incidence rates revealed significant and sustained reduction in HAI rates from 6.7% in October through December of 2014 to 1.6 % the same period in 2015, 2.8 % in 2016 and 2.4 % in 2017. Conclusions Converting the HH framework from manual dispensing to automated touchless dispensing with closed refill systems during a clinical-in-use study resulted in a sustained reduction of HAI rates over a 3-year period. Increased awareness of HH, touchless hygienic dispensing systems, and HCW improved skin integrity are variables to consider for HAI reduction. Automated touchless dispensing and closed-refill systems minimize touch points that help prevent cross contamination events and reduce dispenser contamination with clinically significant pathogens in healthcare settings. Additionally, most consumers prefer touchless dispensing when using public restrooms. However, many healthcare settings still utilize manual dispensers for soap and sanitizer. Some even have open, bulk, refillable dispensing systems and manual pumps and dispensers. A finding of a clinical in-use study revealed a significant reduction in the incidence of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) following the conversion to automated touchless soap and sanitizer dispensing systems with premeasured dosage amounts in a long-term care (LTC) care facility. A LTC facility was qualified as a testing site for clinical in-use study of hand hygiene (HH) products’ impact on healthcare workers’ (HCWs) hands. The facility replaced all HH manual dispensing systems and locally purchased hygiene products with automated touchless dispensers, closed-refill systems, and quality formulations. In addition to the biophysical measurements of HCWs hands using bioengineering instrumentation, the baseline incidence of HAIs was recorded prior to the intervention and surveillance continued from 2014 to 2018. HAI rates provided by the testing site were compared to the baseline data collected in 2014 with specific emphasis on the infection outbreak season from October to December in each year. Descriptive data analysis of HAI incidence rates revealed significant and sustained reduction in HAI rates from 6.7% in October through December of 2014 to 1.6 % the same period in 2015, 2.8 % in 2016 and 2.4 % in 2017. Converting the HH framework from manual dispensing to automated touchless dispensing with closed refill systems during a clinical-in-use study resulted in a sustained reduction of HAI rates over a 3-year period. Increased awareness of HH, touchless hygienic dispensing systems, and HCW improved skin integrity are variables to consider for HAI reduction.

Variability in interkingdom gut microbiomes between different commercial vendors shapes fat gain in response to diet

The source of commercial research animals can influence biomedical research findings, despite controlled experimental conditions. Metabolism is intricately influenced by diet, host genetics, environment, and the microbiome. Since commercial vendors supply specific pathogen free mice on equivalent genetic backgrounds derived in unique facilities, thus likely containing unique microbiomes, we utilized this natural experiment to examine the interkingdom communities of each vendor upon weight gain, body fat %, liver histology, and serum biochemistries in response to dietary challenge. Male and female C57BL/6 mice were purchased from Charles River (CR), Envigo (Env), Taconic (Tac), and Jackson Labs (Jax) for baseline assessment or randomized to 8 weeks of purified high fat (HF), low fat (LF), or chow with biweekly MRI. Mice were maintained in microisolators to prevent cross contamination. At baseline, Jax mice contained high levels of the bacteria Allobaculum, S247, Akkermansia and fungi Thermomyces and Penicillium, while other vendors contained the bacteria Clostridiales and the fungi Cladosporium, which were nearly undetectable in Jax. Tac contained extremely high levels of Lactobacillus and high levels of the Fungi Wallemia. Env and CR contained the fungi Fusariumand the bacteria Candidatus Arthromitus (segmented filamentous bacteria), which was not present in Tac or Jax. Sex specific responses were observed following 8‐weeks of dietary intervention, so sexes were analyzed independently. CR and Env males gained the most body fat on purified HF and LF while Tac and Jax gained the least. Assessment of liver adiposity by histology and serum triglyceride found high lipid levels in Env males on HF, while Jax males were the lowest. Following HF, Env males displayed elevated Lactococcus, CR displayed Lactobacillus, Jax displayed Allobaculum, and Tac displayed S247, Ruminococcus, and Desulfovibrio. CR males displayed 7 unique fungi on HF, while Env and Jax exhibited Aspergillus. Under LF, CR males were dominated by the bacteria Lactococcus while Jax and Tac males displayed elevated Allobaculum. Env males displayed high levels of the fungi Trichothecium on LF. Female mice from CR and Jax gained the most fat on HF, while Tac and Env gained the least. CR females displayed high Lactobacillus on HF, while Env, Jac and Tac displayed S247. CR females on LF also exhibited high levels of Lactobacillus, while Env and Tac contained elevated Clostridiales. Our findings demonstrate the source of commercially available animals result in variable metabolic outcomes in response to diet. By surveying intestinal microorganism membership against host metabolic responses to diet, we identified microbial taxa associated with fat gain, including Lactococcus spp and Lactobacillus, and taxa associated with protection against fat gain, such as Allobaculum. This study demonstrates the significance of gut microbial membership in shaping metabolic outcomes under genetic and environmentally controlled conditions and may lead to the identification of key microbial regulators of fat homeostasis under varying dietary intakes.

Mass transfer in a single-use angled-shaft aerated stirred bioreactor applicable for animal cell culture

The single-use stirred bioreactors are increasingly recognized as a viable alternative in animal cell culture due to the higher production capacity, increased flexibility, prevention of cross contamination, reduction of the cleaning cost, and shortened downtime. In this paper, the effects of the impeller speed, the volumetric gas flow rate, and the impeller type on the volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient in a single-use unbaffled angled-shaft bioreactor applicable for the animal cell culture were analyzed and compared with those attained for the baffled vertical-shaft bioreactors. The volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient (KLa) was experimentally determined by the simplified dynamic pressure method. The lowest P/V values as well as the highest KLa values were achieved for an unbaffled angled-shaft bioreactor. It was found that the Rushton impeller was the most efficient impeller in term of mass transfer for this bioreactor. An empirical correlation for the mass transfer coefficient was also developed.

Evaluation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP) Implementation for Supporting Sustainable Production in Bakery SMEs

Resources efficiency in production is essential to support sustainable production. “X” Bakery is one of the bread small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Batu, East Java Indonesia. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP) in bread processing of SMEs production. This research used observation methods, interviews, and questionnaires. Respondents in this research are supervisors and employees of “X” Bakery. The results of this study indicated that the GMP implementation achieved 58.3% and SSOP of 52.3%, implying this industry had been standing under a minimum of 60%. This industry had poor qualified of GMP and SSOP. Five aspects of GMP have be fulfilled, namely the location and environment, production equipment, process control, food labelling, and product recall. Although, nine elements that have not met, namely buildings and facilities, water supply, sanitation facilities and activities, pest control, employee health, storage, supervision by the responsible person, employee documentation, and training. Furthermore, three aspects of SSOP have met, namely the prevention of cross-contamination, food protection, and labelling. There are five elements have not fulfilled SSOP criterias, namely the security of water, surface hygiene, sanitation facilities, and employee health control and pest prevention. The weakest indicator for each GMP and SSOP implementation are supervision and employee's health control respectively. Therefore, it was necessary to increase the employee's knowledge, the addition of supporting facilities, and production supervision to improve the implementation of GMP, SSOP, and sustainable production.

Clinical management recommendations for paediatric dental patients in times of covid-19 - a review

Objective-This article provides a short clinical overview of the epidemiology, symptoms, routes of transmission and their application in treatment strategies related to this novel infection in paediatric dental patients. Data Source-Various guidelines and recommendations dealing with patient screening, infection control preventive and minimally invasive approach leading to the prevention of cross contamination and least generation of aerosols are here to modify dental practices. Conclusion- Dental care providers for children need to be aware and prepared for tackling any impending infectious disease challenge as might be the case in the current outbreak of SARS- CoV-2 transmission according to specific geographical location.

Proper indwelling catheter use to prevent CAUTIs

Proper indwelling catheter use to prevent CAUTIs

Food for thought

Kate Scheer considers the importance of applying best practice at home and abroad to prevent cross contamination

Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria isolated from poultry samples: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundGram-negative bacteria are a common cause of human infections and can be transmitted through food handling and food consumption. Infection with carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria is becoming a worldwide threat, and is hard to cure because the broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotics are considered a last resort for treatment. This research aimed to determine carbapenem resistance among Gram-negative bacteria from poultry samples. MethodsSamples from chicken litter, water, chicken feed, and intestinal content (220 samples in total) were collected during 2017 from representative slaughter houses, farms, and homes from four different randomly selected locations in the Gaza Strip. Samples were cultured and all isolates were identified using conventional techniques. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute disk diffusion method was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility to 15 antimicrobial agents. Carbapenemase was detected by the modified Hodge test. The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index for each isolate was also calculated. Permission was obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture, and verbal consent was obtained from owners of the establishments. FindingsEscherichia species were the most frequently isolated bacteria (48 of 122; 39%), followed by non-lactose fermenting Enterobacteriacae (36 of 122; 30%) and other lactose fermenting Enterobacteriacae (32 of 122; 26%). The lowest frequency was for non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (six of 122; 5%). Most isolates were resistant to most antimicrobial agents tested except for meropenem and amikacin (3% were resistant to meropenem and amikacin), and 41 isolates (34%) were resistant to imipenem. From 122 tested isolates, 42 carbapenem-resistant isolates (36%) were detected. There was no significant difference in resistance to carbapenem or other drugs among isolates from the four locations. None of the three meropenem-resistant isolates and only five of the 41 imipenem-resistant isolates (12%) were positive for carbapenemase production. Most of the tested isolates (115 of 122 isolates; 94%) were resistant to five or more of the tested antimicrobials, and were regarded as multi-drug resistant according to MAR index results. InterpretationResistance to carbapenems as well as to other antimicrobials was high, as indicated by the MAR index. This might be due to the lack of regulation of the use of antimicrobials in poultry. The responsible authorities should take note of these findings and implement an immediate antimicrobial resistance monitoring programme for poultry. Cross-contamination prevention measures should also be promoted and implemented. FundingNone.

Prevalence of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Oral and Nasal Cavities of 4 to 13-year-old Rural School Children: A Cross-sectional Study.

Aim:This study aimed to investigate the oral and nasal prevalence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in 4 to 13-year-old rural schoolchildren.Materials and Methods:A total of 100 children aged 4 to 13 years were randomly selected and divided into ten groups based on their age (Group 1 = 4-year-old children to Group 10 = 13-year-old children). From each participating child, sampling was done from the anterior nares and dorsum of the tongue. All samples were inoculated into Baird–Parker agar medium and HiCrome™ MeReSa agar medium for the isolation of SA and MRSA. Both the culture plates were checked for the presence of SA and MRSA and overall SA and MRSA carriage. The distribution of SA and MRSA was evaluated. Descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS software (version 17.0).Results:Overall SA in 4–13 years’ age group was 47%, while CA-MRSA was 35%. On the tongue, 16 children had concomitant MRSA and SA, while only 23.8% (n = 20) of the children comprised the presence of SA when MRSA was absent (P < 0.001). In the nasal cavity, 30 children had concomitant MRSA and SA, while only 21.4% (n = 15) of the children had the presence of SA when MRSA was absent (P < 0.001). When tongue and nose were assessed, 11 children encompassed concomitant MRSA and SA, while only 16.9% (n = 13) of the children had the presence of SA when MRSA was absent in both sites (P < 0.001).Conclusion:A significant relation was found between nasal SA and CA-MRSA carriage, with oral SA and CA-MRSA carriage. The study concludes that oral cavity is possibly as important as the nasal area as a zone of SA and MRSA. Dentists dealing with pediatric population should take proper precautions to prevent cross contamination of SA and MRSA in the dental clinic.

Dual-Continuum Design Approach for Intuitive and Low-Cost Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

This paper introduces a methodology to design intuitive, low-cost, and portable devices for visual inspection of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The proposed approach mechanically couples a multi-backbone continuum structure, as the user interface, and a parallel bellows actuator, as the endoscopic tip. Analytical modeling techniques derived from continuum robotics were adopted to describe the endoscopic tip motion from user input, accounting for variations in component size and pneumatic compressibility. The modeling framework was used to improve intuitiveness of user-to-task mapping. This was assessed against a 1:1 target, while ease-of-use was validated using landmark identification tasks performed in a stomach simulator by one expert and ten non-expert users; benchmarked against conventional flexible endoscopy. Pre-clinical validation consisted of comparative trials in in-vivo porcine and human cadaver models. Target mapping was achieved with an average error of 5° in bending angle. Simulated endoscopies were performed by an expert user successfully, within a time comparable to conventional endoscopy (<1 minute difference). Non-experts using the proposed device achieved visualization of the stomach in a shorter time (9s faster on average) than with a conventional endoscope. The estimated cost is <10 USD and <30 USD for disposable and reusable parts, respectively. Significance and Conclusions: Flexible endoscopes are complex and expensive devices, actuated via non-intuitive cable-driven mechanisms. They frequently break, requiring costly repair, and necessitate a dedicated reprocessing facility to prevent cross contamination. The proposed solution is portable, inexpensive, and easy to use, thus lending itself to disposable use by personnel without formal training in flexible endoscopy.

Implementation of effective infection control: furnishing a -dentalpractice

The increasing resistance to antibiotics and the aging of the population of patients who visit the dental practice can lead to more frequent infections with (resistant) microorganisms. The prevention of cross contamination by the implementation of effective measures in the area of hygiene and procedures of infection control is therefore important. The furnishing of a dental practice can play an important part in prevention. What are the important issues in furnishing a practice? A distinction is made between 'critical' and 'non-critical' rooms. Patients are only treated and instruments are only prepared for reuse in critical rooms. In these rooms, a strict separation is maintained between clean and contaminated, in both place and time. Only furniture that is strictly necessary for the treatment of patients is present in the critical rooms. Materials and equipment that are kept within the splatter area must be stored as much as possible in drawers and closed cabinets. Water taps can be controlled in a touch-free manner and are located within the present walking routes of the practice.

Awareness of Infection Control among Dental Students and Interns

Disease transmission can occur through direct contact, blood, oral fluids, or other secretions and indirect contact with contaminated instruments, operatory equipment, or objects. Prevention of cross contamination helps in reducing the infection. The level of education of the students, and their knowledge about the infection control directly relates to the patient care. The current study aims to determine the level of knowledge and infection control procedures among dental students in a clihnical practice. This was a cross-sectional study with a self-administered questionnaire comprised of 18 open and close-ended questions related to infection control and prevention. Answers of the questions were analysed by SPSS version 20. Among the students included, 53 (36.8%) participants were intern, 31 (21.5%) from fifth year, 31 (21.5) from fourth year and 29 (20.1) were third year. Performance satisfaction shows that the students were fairly satisfied with their performance. When students were asked to rate the implementation of infection control policy in their clinical practice 1 (0.7%) were very good, 74 (51.4%) were fair, 44 (30.6%) were good are while 25 (17.4%) were poor to implement infection control policy in their practice. The level of knowledge and practice of infection control measures was poor among dental students. The attitude towards infections control measures was positive, but a greater compliance was needed. Formal class and examination may help improve knowledge and clinical practices.

196 - Development of a closed bag type humidifying container using a polyethersulfone nanofiber sheet membranes

We newly developed the nano fiber sheet (NF) which exhibit superior functions of both moisture permeability and waterproofing performance. Base on the urgent need to prevent cross contamination, especially in the management of CO2 cell culture incubators in aseptically controlled cell processing facility, we designed closed bag type humidification container comprised with this NF (Aquavator), and evaluated practical usefulness using cell culture assay. The nano fiber was made of polyethersulfone as φ350 nm in diameter, and constructed into a nonwoven fabric sheet with an average pore diameter of 450 nm by electrospinning method. The thickness of nano fiber sheets are adjustable between 20 to 90 µm. Aquavator was configured as a bag type container having an NF membrane on its one side; 27 × 31 cm square. Performance comparison with the other moisture-permeable waterproofing materials (Tyvek®, Beauty-ace®) are conducted. By the comparison with water bat (Conventional), a practical usability equipped in CO2 incubator and biological influence using cell culture assay are examined. Assessed parameters are %Room humidity, temperature, cultured cell number and viability, apoptosis. The results are the follows; 1) Aquavator exhibited superior performance both in moisture permeability and waterproofing by approximately 10 times higher than conventional products. (2) The adjustment ability of humidity by Aquavator showed equivalent to Conventional apparatus. (3) Cell culture analysis revealed no significant differences in cultured cell number growth, cell viability and apoptosis (3.29 ± 0.32, 3.04 ± 0.33) after 6 days culture between Aquavator and Conventional apparatus. We conclude that Aquavator produce equivalent performance of humidification as conventional water bat and contribute remarkable benefit to prevent cross contamination in CO2 cell culture incubator management.

Food Safety Practices Linked with Proper Refrigerator Temperatures in Retail Delis.

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) causes the third highest number of foodborne illness deaths annually. L. monocytogenes contamination of sliced deli meats at the retail level is a significant contributing factor to L. monocytogenes illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Environmental Health Specialists Network (EHS-Net) conducted a study to learn more about retail delis' practices concerning L. monocytogenes growth and cross-contamination prevention. This article presents data from this study on the frequency with which retail deli refrigerator temperatures exceed 41°F, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-recommended maximum temperature for ready-to-eat food requiring time and temperature control for safety (TCS) (such as retail deli meat). This provision was designed to control bacterial growth in TCS foods. This article also presents data on deli and staff characteristics related to the frequency with which retail delis refrigerator temperatures exceed 41°F. Data from observations of 445 refrigerators in 245 delis showed that in 17.1% of delis, at least one refrigerator was >41°F. We also found that refrigeration temperatures reported in this study were lower than those reported in a related 2007 study. Delis with more than one refrigerator, that lacked refrigerator temperature recording, and had a manager who had never been food safety certified had greater odds of having a refrigerator temperature >41°F. The data from this study suggest that retail temperature control is improving over time. They also identify a food safety gap: some delis have refrigerator temperatures that exceed 41°F. We also found that two food safety interventions were related to better refrigerated storage practices: kitchen manager certification and recording refrigerated storage temperatures. Regulatory food safety programs and the retail industry may wish to consider encouraging or requiring kitchen manager certification and recording refrigerated storage temperatures.