scholarly journals Detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in foods of plant origin in North-Western Greece

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 574-578
Author(s):  
Hercules Sakkas ◽  
Vangelis Economou ◽  
Petros Bozidis ◽  
Panagiota Gousia ◽  
Chrissanthy Papadopoulou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Hazard ◽  
Diarrhoeal Disease ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Plant Origin ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Fresh Vegetables ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits ◽  
North Western ◽  
Western Greece

Abstract Giardia and Cryptosporidium are recognized as leading causes of waterborne and foodborne diarrhoeal disease with worldwide distribution. The study aimed to determine the protozoan contamination of various foods of plant origin. A total of 72 samples from 27 different varieties of fresh vegetables and fruits were collected from supermarkets and open markets in North-Western Greece and were examined using conventional diagnostic methods. Two out of 72 (2.8%) samples were found positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts, while no sample was found to be positive for Giardia cysts. The results show the presence of protozoan contamination in foods of plant origin, which may constitute a potential health hazard.

Natural and man-made low-frequency magnetic fields as a potential health hazard

1998 ◽  
Vol 168 (07) ◽  
pp. 767-791 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.G. Ptitsyna ◽  
G. Villoresi ◽  
L.I. Dorman ◽  
N. Iucci ◽  
Marta I. Tyasto
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Hazard

scholarly journals Adsorption Mechanism of Patulin from Apple Juice by Inactivated Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Kefir Grains

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 434
Author(s):  
Pascaline Bahati ◽  
Xuejun Zeng ◽  
Ferdinand Uzizerimana ◽  
Ariunsaikhan Tsoggerel ◽  
Muhammad Awais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Apple Juice ◽  
Adsorption Mechanism ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Hazard ◽  
Kefir Grains

In the food industry, microbiological safety is a major concern. Mycotoxin patulin represents a potential health hazard, as it is heat-resistant and may develop at any stage during the food chain, especially in apple-based products, leading to severe effects on human health, poor quality products, and profit reductions. The target of the study was to identify and characterize an excellent adsorbent to remove patulin from apple juice efficiently and to assess its adsorption mechanism. To prevent juice fermentation and/or contamination, autoclaving was involved to inactivate bacteria before the adsorption process. The HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) outcome proved that all isolated strains from kefir grains could reduce patulin from apple juice. A high removal of 93% was found for juice having a 4.6 pH, 15° Brix, and patulin concentration of 100 μg/L by Lactobacillus kefiranofacien, named JKSP109, which was morphologically the smoothest and biggest of all isolates in terms of cell wall volume and surface area characterized by SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) and TEM (transmission electron microscopy). C=O, OH, C–H, and N–O were the main functional groups engaged in patulin adsorption indicated by FTIR (Fourier transform–infrared). E-nose (electronic nose) was performed to evaluate the aroma quality of the juices. PCA (Principal component analysis) results showed that no significant changes occurred between control and treated juice.

scholarly journals Earthquake Source Investigation of the Kanallaki, March 2020 Sequence (North-Western Greece) Based on Seismic and Geodetic Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1752
Author(s):  
Nikos Svigkas ◽  
Anastasia Kiratzi ◽  
Andrea Antonioli ◽  
Simone Atzori ◽  
Cristiano Tolomei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Deformation ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Eurasian Plate ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Active Deformation ◽  
Strong Earthquakes ◽  
Seismic Waveforms ◽  
Northwestern Greece ◽  
North Western ◽  
Western Greece

The active collision of the Apulian continental lithosphere with the Eurasian plate characterizes the tectonics of the Epirus region in northwestern Greece, invoking crustal shortening. Epirus has not experienced any strong earthquakes during the instrumental era and thus there is no detailed knowledge of the way the active deformation is being expressed. In March 2020, a moderate size (Mw 5.8) earthquake sequence occurred close to the Kanallaki village in Epirus. The mainshock and major aftershock focal mechanisms are compatible with reverse faulting, on NNW-ESE trending nodal planes. We measure the coseismic surface deformation using radar interferometry and investigate the possible fault geometries based on seismic waveforms and InSAR data. Slip distribution models provide good fits to both nodal planes and cannot resolve the fault plane ambiguity. The results indicate two slip episodes for a N337° plane dipping 37° to the east and a single slip patch for a N137° plane dipping 43° to 55° to the west. Even though the area of the sequence is very close to the triple junction of western Greece, the Kanallaki 2020 activity itself seems to be distinct from it, in terms of the acting stresses.

Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) along the production chain of dairy products in north-western Greece

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 ◽  
pp. 43-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Papadopoulos ◽  
Theofilos Papadopoulos ◽  
Apostolos S. Angelidis ◽  
Evridiki Boukouvala ◽  
Antonios Zdragas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
North Western ◽  
Western Greece

scholarly journals Yeasts and filamentous fungi in bottled mineral water and tap water from municipal supplies

2007 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirian Ueda Yamaguchi ◽  
Rita de Cássia Pontello Rampazzo ◽  
Sueli Fumie Yamada-Ogatta ◽  
Celso Vataru Nakamura ◽  
Tânia Ueda-Nakamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Filamentous Fungi ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Mineral Water ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Total Coliform ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Hazard ◽  
Bottled Mineral Water

The main objective of this study was to analyse the occurrence of yeasts and filamentous fungi in drinking water as well as to investigate their correlation with the indicator bacteria of faecal pollution. Yeasts were detected in 36.6% and 11.6% of the bottled mineral on water dispensers and tap water samples from municipal system, respectively. Twenty-one (35.0%) of bottled mineral water and two (3.3%) of tap water samples were positive for filamentous fungi. For bottled mineral water 12 (20.0%) of 60 samples were positive for total coliform, compared with 3(5.0%)out of 60 samples from tap water. The mineral water from dispensers was more contaminated than tap water. Strains belonging to the genera Candida identified to the species level were C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata and C. albicans. Thus, bottled mineral water from water dispensers and tap water could be considered a possible transmission route for filamentous fungi and yeasts, and could constitute a potential health hazard, mainly to immunocompromised indivuals.

Potential Public Health Significance of Non-Escherichia coli Coliforms in Food

1979 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERT M. TWEDT ◽  
BRENDA K. BOUTIN
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Diarrheal Disease ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Potential Health Hazard ◽  
Health Significance

Several coliform species other than Escherichia coli are often associated with and possibly responsible for acute and chronic diarrheal disease. Recent evidence suggests that non-Escherichia coli coliforms may be capable of colonizing the human intestine and producing enterotoxin(s) in high-yield. Whether these organisms are newly capable of causing disease because of infestation with extrachromosomal factors mediating pathogenicity or simply because of inherent pathogenic capabilities that have gone unrecognized, they pose a potential health hazard. Food, medical, and public health microbiologists should be aware that the non-E. coli coliforms contaminating foods may be potential enteropathogens. This possibility may make determination of their pathogenic capabilities even more important than identification of their taxonomic characteristics.

scholarly journals Weather forecast in north-western Greece: RISKMED warnings and verification of MM5 model

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bartzokas ◽  
V. Kotroni ◽  
K. Lagouvardos ◽  
C. J. Lolis ◽  
A. Gkikas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Weather Forecasting ◽  
Precipitation Amount ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Weather Forecast ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Meteorological Model ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
North Western ◽  
Western Greece

Abstract. The meteorological model MM5 is applied operationally for the area of north-western Greece for one-year period (1 June 2007–31 May 2008). The model output is used for daily weather forecasting over the area. An early warning system is developed, by dividing the study area in 16 sub-regions and defining specific thresholds for issuing alerts for adverse weather phenomena. The verification of the model is carried out by comparing the model results with observations from three automatic meteorological stations. For air temperature and wind speed, correlation coefficients and biases are calculated, revealing that there is a significant overestimation of the early morning air temperature. For precipitation amount, yes/no contingency tables are constructed for 4 specific thresholds and some categorical statistics are applied, showing that the prediction of precipitation in the area under study is generally satisfactory. Finally, the thunderstorm warnings issued by the system are verified against the observed lightning activity.

scholarly journals Presence of microcystins in the littoral zone of the Curonian Lagoon by the data of immunochromatographic analysis in 2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-111
Author(s):  
M. M. Smirnova
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Littoral Zone ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Curonian Lagoon ◽  
Curonian Spit ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Hazard ◽  
Inherent Problem ◽  
Strip Test ◽  
First Time

The presence of hepatotoxic cyanotoxins of microcystin group has been recorded in the southern part of the Curonian Lagoon annually since 2010. Because of unique natural features and cultural heritage, the Curonian Spit and the Curonian Lagoon are involved into diverse recreational usage. The potential health hazard due to microcystins is, thus, an inherent problem of the area. Rapid immunochromatographic semi-quantitative test (Microcystin Strip Test, Abraxis Ltd) was applied for the detection of microcystins in water samples from littoral zone. Samples were collected twice per month in May – November 2017 at six monitoring sites around the Lagoon. For the first time, the presence of toxic metabolites of cyanobacteria (microcystins) in the whole littoral of the southern part of the Curonian Lagoon during vegetation season was established. As previously noted, microcystins were present in water samples in summer and autumn. During May it were not found. The highest values (5–10 µg per litre) were recorded in the late June and during September at the Curonian Spit. These values were rather low in comparison with those of 2011–2016. From mid-to-late October toxins were recorded twice only, at the Curonian Spit. At the eastern and southern coasts maximal value was 5 µg per litre (once at the end of September). In other samples toxins were not detected or their values did not exceed 2.5 µg per litre.

scholarly journals Space Flight Cultivation for Radish (Raphanus sativus) in the Advanced Plant Habitat

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-132
Author(s):  
Susan John ◽  
Farid Abou-Issa ◽  
Karl H. Hasenstein
Keyword(s):  
Raphanus Sativus ◽  
Growth Substrate ◽  
Confined Space ◽  
Kennedy Space Center ◽  
Growth Optimization ◽  
Cultivation Period ◽  
Fresh Vegetables ◽  
Kennedy Space ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits ◽  
Plant Habitat

Abstract In preparation of a flight experiment, ground-based studies for optimizing the growth of radishes (Raphanus sativus) were conducted at the ground-based Advanced Plant Habitat (APH) unit at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. The APH provides a large, environmentally controlled chamber that has been used to grow various plants, such as Arabidopsis, wheat, peppers, and now radish. In support of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s goals to provide astronauts with fresh vegetables and fruits in a confined space, it is important to extend the cultivation period to produce substantial biomass. We selected Raphanus sativus cv. Cherry Belle as test variety both for preliminary tests and flight experiments because it provides edible biomass in as few as four weeks, has desirable secondary metabolites (glucosinolates), is rich in minerals, and requires relatively little space. We report our strategies to optimize the growth substrate, watering regimen, light settings, and planting design that produces good-sized radishes, minimizes competition, and allows for easy harvesting. This information will be applicable for growth optimization of other crop plants that will be grown in the APH or other future plant growth facilities.

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