scholarly journals Microbial contamination correlated to hygienic habits attitudes and practices toward handling contact lens units

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-254
Author(s):  
Zahira Murhaf AL-Khani ◽  
Hadeel T. AL-Hadithi
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Growth ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Contact Lenses ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Microbial Invasion ◽  
Eye Infection ◽  
Regular Visit ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Introduction: Contact lenses (CLs) are medical or cosmetic devices, comfortable and more convenient alternative to eyeglasses. Eye infection will result when microbes are introduced onto CLs, because defense against microbial invasion in the anterior chamber of the eyes is weak due to the very poor blood supply. Method: The present study investigates hygienic habits, attitudes and practices of thirty CL wearers, toward lens care, that might yield to microbial contamination of CL units through examination of 120 samples (4 items of each CL units) to detect microbial growth and to understand associated factors through a structured questionnaire. Results: Microbial contamination was detected in at least one item of twenty-five CL units (83.3%). None of disinfecting care solutions in original bottles was found contaminated. Incidence of microbial contamination in storage case (Right and Left) and rims of solution bottles was 21 (70%), 17 (56.7%) and 6 (20%) respectively. Eye redness after CLs wearing was almost a statistically significant sign associated with contaminated CL units (p=0.088). Using water only to wash hands and CL storage cases has been incriminated for increased contamination. Conclusions: Impurities in CL storage cases have led to reduced efficacy of disinfectant care solutions. Value-added awareness of CL wearers should be improved by regular visit to eye care professionals.

scholarly journals Postharvest Supply Chain with Microbial Travelers: a Farm-to-Retail Microbial Simulation and Visualization Framework

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Zoellner ◽  
Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mamun ◽  
Yrjo Grohn ◽  
Peter Jackson ◽  
Randy Worobo
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Microbial Growth ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
The United States ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Modeling Tool ◽  
Parameter Ranges

ABSTRACTFresh produce supply chains present variable and diverse conditions that are relevant to food quality and safety because they may favor microbial growth and survival following contamination. This study presents the development of a simulation and visualization framework to model microbial dynamics on fresh produce moving through postharvest supply chain processes. The postharvest supply chain with microbial travelers (PSCMT) tool provides a modular process modeling approach and graphical user interface to visualize microbial populations and evaluate practices specific to any fresh produce supply chain. The resulting modeling tool was validated with empirical data from an observed tomato supply chain from Mexico to the United States, including the packinghouse, distribution center, and supermarket locations, as an illustrative case study. Due to data limitations, a model-fitting exercise was conducted to demonstrate the calibration of model parameter ranges for microbial indicator populations, i.e., mesophilic aerobic microorganisms (quantified by aerobic plate count and here termed APC) and total coliforms (TC). Exploration and analysis of the parameter space refined appropriate parameter ranges and revealed influential parameters for supermarket indicator microorganism levels on tomatoes. Partial rank correlation coefficient analysis determined that APC levels in supermarkets were most influenced by removal due to spray water washing and microbial growth on the tomato surface at postharvest locations, while TC levels were most influenced by growth on the tomato surface at postharvest locations. Overall, this detailed mechanistic dynamic model of microbial behavior is a unique modeling tool that complements empirical data and visualizes how postharvest supply chain practices influence the fate of microbial contamination on fresh produce.IMPORTANCEPreventing the contamination of fresh produce with foodborne pathogens present in the environment during production and postharvest handling is an important food safety goal. Since studying foodborne pathogens in the environment is a complex and costly endeavor, computer simulation models can help to understand and visualize microorganism behavior resulting from supply chain activities. The postharvest supply chain with microbial travelers (PSCMT) model, presented here, provides a unique tool for postharvest supply chain simulations to evaluate microbial contamination. The tool was validated through modeling an observed tomato supply chain. Visualization of dynamic contamination levels from harvest to the supermarket and analysis of the model parameters highlighted critical points where intervention may prevent microbial levels sufficient to cause foodborne illness. The PSCMT model framework and simulation results support ongoing postharvest research and interventions to improve understanding and control of fresh produce contamination.

An exploration into the understanding of football value chain in south of Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 644-665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosiane Serrano ◽  
Daniel Pacheco Lacerda ◽  
Ricardo Augusto Cassel ◽  
Priscila Ferraz Soares ◽  
Fabio Sartori Piran
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Problematic Situation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Football Clubs ◽  
South Of Brazil ◽  
Structured Questionnaire ◽  
Current Reality

Purpose Football is significant in the global economic context. However, the same significance is not identified in the value added to the chain, as the elements that make it up act in a disintegrated and independent manner with undesired effects. Consequently, it is necessary to structure the undesired effects to seek the basic causes that sustain this problematic situation. Thus, this paper aims to use a CRT to structure the undesired effects and basic causes that limit the positive economic impacts of the south Brazilian football value chain. Design/methodology/approach A semi-structured questionnaire was applied with questions about the existing constraints. Based on the answers in the interviews, the current reality tree was elaborated, premised on identifying the basic causes that sustain the undesirable effects detected. Findings Among the main results, it was identified that management problems of the traditional leaders of football clubs and federations are considered the main reason why south of Brazil football cannot fully exploit its economic potential. Originality/value It is evidenced that the paper shows the undesired effect that has the most impact on the development of this chain, and it is important to propose improvements to its root causes, aiming at greater efficacy of the resulting actions.

scholarly journals Awareness and attitude of spectacle wearers to alternatives to corrective eyeglasses

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 86-94
Author(s):  
Abdulkabir Ayansiji Ayanniyi ◽  
Fatai Olasunkanmi Olatunji ◽  
Ramatu Yahaya Hassan ◽  
Bola Josephine Adekoya ◽  
Kehinde Fasasi Monsudi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contact Lens ◽  
Contact Lenses ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Eye Surgery ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Willingness To Use ◽  
Spectacle Correction ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Aim: It has been observed that potential beneficiaries rarely request for alternatives to corrective eyeglasses in our setting. The objective of this study was to determine awareness and attitude towards alternatives to spectacle correction, specifically; contact lens and refractive eye surgery among spectacle wearers in a resource-limited setting.Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 214 spectacle wearers in seven Nigerian hospitals using semi-structured questionnaire. Information sought included demographic characteristics, awareness, and attitudes to contact lens and refractive eye surgery as well as reasons for the poor interest in alternatives to eyeglasses.Results: There were 93 males and 121 females, with a mean age of 40.2 years (SD 15.8.). Most, 198 (92.6%) had at least secondary education. Ninety-eight (45.8%) and 113 (52.8%) patients were aware of the options of contact lens and refractive eye surgery respectively, but 171 (80%) were averse to wearing contact lenses or having refractive eye surgery. Reasons given included lack of information, high cost, and possible complications that may arise. Higher education was significantly associated with participants’ awareness of alternatives to eyeglasses (contact lens [P = 0.016], refractive eye surgery [P=0.009]) but not with willingness to use contact lens (P = 0.96) or refractive eye surgery (P = 0.425).Conclusion: There was relatively high awareness but low willingness to use alternatives to corrective eyeglasses among users. Education on alternatives to corrective eyeglasses, allaying fears on their complications, and making them more affordable could enhance awareness and create a more positive attitude towards them.

scholarly journals Decontamination and Validation of Isolators for Sterility Testing

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (s3) ◽  
pp. 27-33
Author(s):  
Maria Luisa Bernuzzi
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Microbial Growth ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Operative Procedure ◽  
False Negatives ◽  
Typical Application ◽  
Sterility Testing ◽  
Integrity Verification ◽  
Sterility Test ◽  
Good Laboratory

Abstract Decontamination with hydrogen peroxide is a technology widely used to reduce microbial contamination. A typical application of this technology is in the decontamination of sterility test isolators. This article describes how to decontaminate sterility test isolators and validate the process in order to demonstrate that the microbiological target has been achieved and that the risk of false negatives due to residuals of hydrogen peroxide is excluded. Hydrogen peroxide can adversely affect some materials, resulting in inhibition of microbial growth. A package integrity verification, focused on the risk of penetration of decontaminating agent into different product containers and through different materials, is one of the main topics. Several case studies let readers understand the most critical items, choose their materials correctly, and validate the process itself. Hydrogen peroxide measurements on the surface of several materials, inside the primary packaging container, and inside aqueous solutions are part of this article. Validation of the decontamination cycle as well as validation of the operative procedure are key elements for a good laboratory practices approach.

Microorganisms as a Replacement for Metal Working Fluids

2014 ◽  
Vol 966-967 ◽  
pp. 357-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marvin Redetzky ◽  
Andreas Rabenstein ◽  
B. Palmowski ◽  
Ekkard Brinksmeier
Keyword(s):  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Microbial Growth ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Mineral Oil ◽  
Metal Working ◽  
Technical Performance ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Metalworking Fluid ◽  
Water Based ◽  
Lubrication Properties

Most of the several billion liters of metalworking fluid (MWF) used worldwide and annually are water-based and thus prone to a microbial contamination. The microbial growth leads to a deterioration and therefore to a loss of quality and technical performance. In most cases, biocides, which pose a potential risk to health and environment, are used to reduce the microbial load. To avoid these limitations, the paradigm shift of using microorganisms in a positive way in a manufacturing process as a lubricant is investigated in this paper. Some microorganisms are able to synthesize equivalent MWF components like e.g. fatty acids or sulfur compounds. Due to this fact, it is possible to create a regenerative system on a microbiological basis for the substitution of mineral oil containing MWF components. To demonstrate the lubrication potential of bacteria, preliminary investigations were conducted on a Brugger-tribotester. Against this background, the approach presented here intends to investigate the lubrication properties of special microorganisms and the influence of the microbial cell counts on the lubrication behavior respectively. The results of the tribological tests show that the microbial-suspensions exhibit Brugger-values as high as highly concentrated conventional MWF and indicate the potential to replace these respective components.

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