Prevalence of Listeria spp. on the Hands of Food Workers

1993 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 525-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. G. KERR ◽  
D. BIRKENHEAD ◽  
K. SEALE ◽  
J. MAJOR ◽  
P. M. HAWKEY

The prevalence of carriage of Listeria spp. on the hands of food workers was investigated using a whole-hand impression plate technique. Ninety-nine workers engaged in food production and retailing were studied, with 75 clerical workers acting as control. Twelve (12%) of food workers carried Listeria spp., and 7 (7%) carried Listeria monocytogenes. None of the control group was positive for Listeria spp. Where the level of carriage was low (<20 CFU) hand washing eliminated the organisms, but hand washing was not successful if larger numbers of bacteria were present. In two instances hand washing appeared to have <u>caused</u> contamination of subjects' hands. Food workers are significantly more likely to carry Listeria spp. than clerical workers (P < 0.015 Fisher's exact test) and frequent hand washing represents an important element of hygiene which may interrupt transmission of these organisms.

BMC Urology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Osman Alhassan Elsaid ◽  
Tarteel Gadkareim ◽  
Tagwa Abobakr ◽  
Eiman Mubarak ◽  
Mehad A. Abdelrhem ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Male factor is the major contributor in roughly half of infertility cases. Genetic factors account for 10–15% of male infertility. Microdeletions of azoospermia factors (AZF) on the Yq region are the second most frequent spermatogenesis disorder among infertile men after Klinefelter syndrome. We detected in our previous study a frequency of 37.5% AZF microdeletions which investigated mainly the AZFb and AZFc. We attempted in this study for the first time to evaluate the frequencies of all AZF sub-regions microdeletions and to analyze reproductive hormonal profiles in idiopathic cases of azoospermic and oligozoospermic men from Sudan. Methods A group of 51 medically fit infertile men were subjected to semen analysis. Four couples have participated in this study as a control group. Semen analysis was performed according to WHO criteria by professionals at Elsir Abu-Elhassan Fertility Centre where samples have been collected. We detected 12 STSs markers of Y chromosome AZF microdeletions using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Analysis of reproductive hormone levels including Follicle Stimulating, Luteinizing, and Prolactin hormones was performed using ELISA. Comparisons between outcome groups were performed using Student’s t-test Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. Results AZF microdeletion was identified in 16 out of 25 Azoospermic and 14 out of 26 of the Oligozoospermic. Microdeletion in the AZFa region was the most frequent among the 30 patients (N = 11) followed by AZFc, AZFd (N = 4 for each) and AZFb (N = 3). Among the Oligozoospermic participants, the most frequent deletions detected were in the AZFa region (N = 10 out of 14) and was significantly associated with Oligozoospermic phenotype, Fisher's Exact Test (2-sided) p = 0.009. Among the Azoospermic patients, the deletion of the AZFc region was the most frequent (N = 9 out of 16) and was significantly associated with Azoospermia phenotype Fisher's Exact Test p = 0.026. There was a significant difference in Y chromosome microdeletion frequency between the two groups. The hormonal analysis showed that the mean levels of PRL, LH, and FSH in Azoospermic patients were slightly higher than those in oligozoospermic. A weak negative correlation between prolactin higher level and Azoospermic patients was detected. (AZFa r = 0.665 and 0.602, p = 0.000 and 0.0004, AZFb r = 0.636 and 0.409, p = 0.000 and 0.025, and AZFd r = 0.398 and 0.442, p = 0.029 and 0.015). The correlation was positive for AZFa and negative for AZFb and AZFd. Conclusions We concluded in this study that the incidences of microdeletions of the Y chromosome confined to AZF a, b, c and d regions is 58.8% in infertile subjects with 31.4% were Azoospermic and 27.5% were Oligozoospermic. This might provide a piece of evidence that these specified regions of the Y chromosome are essential for controlling spermatogenesis. These findings will be useful for genetic counseling within infertility clinics in Sudan and to adopt appropriate methods for assisted reproduction.


2009 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 727-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalia Leonardi ◽  
Ersilia Barbato ◽  
Maurizio Vichi ◽  
Mario Caltabiano

Abstract Objective: To test the null hypothesis that there is no increased prevalence of skeletal anomalies and/or normal variants as evidenced by the cephalometric radiographs of patients with palatally displaced canines (PDC). Materials and Methods: The treatment records of 38 white subjects between 14 and 20 years old with PDC were collected and evaluated retrospectively. Inclusion criteria for the study required that the case records include good-quality panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalometric radiographs with the first four cervical vertebrae clearly visible. The anomalies recorded for each case included sella bridge, atlanto-occipital ligament calcification or ponticulus posticus, and posterior arch atlas deficiency. A control group consisted of 70 consecutively treated subjects who had no other dental anomalies and whose maxillary canines had erupted normally. Fisher's exact test and Pearson's chi-square test were used to determine possible statistically significant differences in the incidence of skeletal anomalies and/or normal variants between the group of patients with PDC and the control group. Results: The prevalence of skull anomalies and normal variants seen in cephalometric radiographs was increased in patients with PDC. Because of the presence of ponticulus posticus (Pearson's chi-square, P < .050; Fisher's exact test, P < .052), sella bridge (Pearson's chi-square, P < .042; Fisher's exact test, P < .042), and posterior arch deficiency (Pearson's chi-square, P < .047; Fisher's exact test, P < .039), statistically significant differences were observed between subjects with PDC and the control group. Conclusions: The null hypothesis was rejected. There is an increased prevalence of skull skeletal anomalies and/or normal variants in patients with PDC.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-147
Author(s):  
I Gusti Ayu Putu Sri Wahyuni ◽  
Fitra Arsy Nur Cory'ah

Based on research by the World Health Organization (WHO), around the world there are 10,000,000 infant deaths per year in Indonesia, among ASEAN countries, is the country with the highest perinatal mortality rate, meaning that the ability to provide health services still requires improvements that are comprehensive and of higher quality. Integrated ANC  services are also related to effective counseling activities in an effort to improve maternal knowledge about pregnancy care, especially the activity of calculating gesture). The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of experimental counseling fetal motion in third-trimester primigravida. The design in this study was pregnant post nonequivalent control group test. The study was conducted in Meninting Community Health Center, West Lombok Regency. The population of this study was the third trimester of pregnant women, namely 80 people. The sample of this study was 34 people. Test statistics using the Mann Whitney test and Fisher's Exact Test with confidence levels specified α = 0.05 and 95% confidence intervals. The results of the study with the Mann Whitney test P = 0,000 means that there is a significant difference between knowledge about calculating fetal motion in the case group compared to the control group and the Fisher's Exact Test P = 0,000 shows there is an influence of experimental counseling on the activity of calculating fetal movement. The recommendations of this study are to examine the effectiveness of calculating fetal motion for fetal distress.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank-Mattias Schäfer ◽  
Johannes Meyer ◽  
Stephan Kellnar ◽  
Jakob Warmbrunn ◽  
Tobias Schuster ◽  
...  

Introduction: Since early 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic and statutory preventive reorganization of treatment capacities with cancellation of elective surgery as well as curfew regulations led to vastly decreased utilization of primary health care.Materials and Methods: To assess whether there are negative effects on pediatric acute care in Bavaria during the spring 2020 lockdown a state-wide retrospective multi-center study was performed to analyze the rate of perforated appendicitis during lockdown. Children who have been operated on during the corresponding period in 2018/19 served as control group.Results: Overall, 514 patients (292 boys, 222 girls) were included (2020: 176 patients; 2019: 181 patients; 2018: 157 patients). Median age was 11.2 years. Four hundred thirty-nine patients (85.4%) underwent laparoscopic surgery, 69 (13.4%) open surgery and 1.2% underwent conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery. In 2020 a perforation rate of 27.8% (49/176 patients) was found, in 2018–2019 perforation rate was 20.7% (70/338 patients, p = 0.0359, Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel-Test). Subgroup analysis showed that in younger patients (≤ 11.2 years), in 2020 perforation rate was significantly higher with 37.6% (32/85 patients), while 22.2% (39/176) in 2018/2019 (p = 0.014, Fisher's exact test).In boys perforation rate was significantly higher in 2020 with 35.0% (35/100 patients) compared to 21.4% in 2018–2019 (p = 0.0165, Fisher's exact test).Conclusion: During the period of curfew regulations in Bavaria the rate of perforated appendicitis in childhood increased significantly, especially in younger children and boys. Potentially this has to be attributed to delayed presentation to pediatric surgery care. Because of potential long-term sequelae of perforated appendicitis these adverse effects during curfew have to be taken into account for future political decision making to ensure reasonable patient care and avoid collateral damage in near-future or on-going pandemic situations.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 2358-2358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Cairoli ◽  
Carla B. Ripamonti ◽  
Simonetta Granata ◽  
Alessandro Beghini ◽  
Patrizia Colapietro ◽  
...  

Abstract α and β-tryptase genes cluster on the short arm of human chromosome 16 and encode lineage-associated serine proteases that are abundantly expressed in mast-cells and, in trace amounts, in basophils. Under physiologic conditions no other myeloid cells express tryptases. However, in several myeloid leukemia cell lines and in AML blasts, the level of tryptase is elevated. In an attempt at correlating the levels of tryptase with cytogenetic features and the KIT and FLT3 mutational status, we analyzed serum samples collected at diagnosis from 150 AML and 57 ALL adult patients. The total serum concentration was determined by UniCAP 100 and UniCAP Tryptase Fluorenzyme Immunoassay Kit (Pharmacia-Upjohn, Uppsala, Sweden). The median value of tryptase level in the control group (50 healthy people; mean age 35 y, range 20–50; M/F= 26/24) amounted to less than 5 ng/ml, ranging from 1 to 15 ng/ml. We detected elevated tryptase levels (more than 15 ng/ml) in 66 out of 150 AML-patients (44%) and in 1 out of 57 ALL-patients (1.75%; median value 1.2 ng/ml) (p = < 0.0005, Fisher’s exact test ). In AMLs data showed that elevated tryptase values are significantly bound to patients with t(8;21) (n = 26, p = <0.0001) and inv(16) (n = 17, p = 0.035). Furthermore, we found a strong correlation between tryptase < 15 ng/ml and normal karyotype (n = 58 ; p = <0.0001). By contrast, we didn’t find any correlation between the levels of tryptase and t(15;17) (n = 12, p = 0.227), abnormal chr 5 or 7 (n = 9, p = 0.507), +8 (n = 6, p = 0.229), complex karyotype (n = 9, p = 1.000) or other abnormalities (n = 14, p = 0.778). A mutational screening for KIT (exon 2,8,10,11,and 17) and FLT3 (exon 14,15 and 20) was performed on 67/150 (45%) and 82/150 (55%) patients with AML, respectively. We recorded a significant association between high tryptase levels and the presence of KIT mutation (Fisher’s exact test: p = 0.012). No correlation was found between levels of tryptase and FLT3 mutational status (Fisher’s exact test: p = 0.803).In conclusion, data suggest that elevated serum tryptase levels at diagnosis are frequently associated with Core Binding Factor and with KIT mutated AML’s.


2019 ◽  
Vol 04 (02) ◽  
pp. e73-e76
Author(s):  
Eric de Haas ◽  
Jill P. Stone ◽  
William de Haas ◽  
Christiaan H. Schrag

Abstract Background Microsurgical anastomosis of vessels is a challenging skill that surgical residents should practice on models before attempting in the clinical setting. These skills are often taught using synthetic materials, animal tissue, or live animal models. With increasing constraints on surgical resident's time, it is important to maximize efficiency of microsurgical training. The purpose of this study is to determine if teaching surgical residents about common vessel anastomosis errors decreases the total number of suture errors during a 4-day training course. Methods Plastic surgery residents (R1–R3) were randomly assigned to receive additional teaching focused on either common microsurgical errors or traditional microsurgical manuals. The residents then performed anastomosis on rat femoral arteries in which the total number of sutures and errors were recorded by staff microsurgeons who were blinded to the intervention. Results Residents who received teaching on common microsurgical errors performed a total of 73 sutures of which 12 were errors. The control group who studied using traditional microsurgical manuals performed a total of 125 sutures of which 38 were errors. There was a statistically significant decrease in the total number of suture errors (Fisher's exact test; p-value = 0.04) and in the number of partial depth bite errors (Fisher's exact test p-value = 0.03). Conclusion Teaching surgical residents about common vessel anastomosis errors decreased the total number of errors when compared with traditional education methods using microsurgery manuals. Partial depth bite errors were also decreased through error-based teaching.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edaise M. da Silva ◽  
Pier Selenica ◽  
Mahsa Vahdatinia ◽  
Fresia Pareja ◽  
Arnaud Da Cruz Paula ◽  
...  

AbstractMetaplastic breast cancers (MBCs) are characterized by complex genomes, which seem to vary according to their histologic subtype. TERT promoter hotspot mutations and gene amplification are rare in common forms of breast cancer, but present in a subset of phyllodes tumors. Here, we sought to determine the frequency of genetic alterations affecting TERT in a cohort of 60 MBCs with distinct predominant metaplastic components (squamous, 23%; spindle, 27%; osseous, 8%; chondroid, 42%), and to compare the repertoire of genetic alterations of MBCs according to the presence of TERT promoter hotspot mutations or gene amplification. Forty-four MBCs were subjected to: whole-exome sequencing (WES; n = 27) or targeted sequencing of 341-468 cancer-related genes (n = 17); 16 MBCs were subjected to Sanger sequencing of the TERT promoter, TP53 and selected exons of PIK3CA, HRAS, and BRAF. TERT promoter hotspot mutations (n = 9) and TERT gene amplification (n = 1) were found in 10 of the 60 MBCs analyzed, respectively. These TERT alterations were less frequently found in MBCs with predominant chondroid differentiation than in other MBC subtypes (p = 0.01, Fisher’s exact test) and were mutually exclusive with TP53 mutations (p < 0.001, CoMEt). In addition, a comparative analysis of the MBCs subjected to WES or targeted cancer gene sequencing (n = 44) revealed that MBCs harboring TERT promoter hotspot mutations or gene amplification (n = 6) more frequently harbored PIK3CA than TERT wild-type MBCs (n = 38; p = 0.001; Fisher’s exact test). In conclusion, TERT somatic genetic alterations are found in a subset of TP53 wild-type MBCs with squamous/spindle differentiation, highlighting the genetic diversity of these cancers.


Author(s):  
Bianca Ethel Gutiérrez-Amavizca ◽  
Ernesto Prado Montes de Oca ◽  
Jaime Paul Gutiérrez-Amavizca ◽  
Oscar David Castro ◽  
Cesar Heriberto Ruíz-Marquez ◽  
...  

The aim of this pilot study was to determine the association of the P10L (rs2675703) polymorphism of the OPN4 gene with chronic insomnia in uncertain etiology in a Mexican population. A case control study was performed including 98 healthy subjects and 29 individuals with chronic insomnia not related to mental disorders, medical condition, medication or substance abuse. Samples were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Genetic analyses showed that the T allele of P10L increased risk to chronic insomnia in a dominant model (p = 1 ×10−4; odds ratio (OR) = 9.37, CI = 8.18–335.66, Kelsey statistical power (KSP) = 99.9%), and in a recessive model (p = 7.5 × 10−5, OR = 9.37, KSP = 99.3%, CI = 2.7–34.29). In the insomnia group, we did not find a correlation between genotypes and chronotype (p = 0.219 Fisher’s exact test), severity of chronic insomnia using ISI score (p = 0.082 Fisher’s exact test) and ESS score (p ˃ 0.999 Fisher’s exact test). However, evening chronotype was correlated to daytime sleepiness severity, individuals with an eveningness chronotype had more severe drowsiness according to their insomnia severity index (ISI) score (p = 0.021 Fisher’s exact test) and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) score (p = 0.015 Fisher’s exact test) than the morningness and intermediate chronotype. We demonstrated that the T allele of the P10L polymorphism in the OPN4 gene is associated with chronic insomnia in Mexicans. We suggest the need to conduct larger studies in different ethnic populations to test the probable association and function of P10L and other SNPs in the OPN4 gene and in the onset of chronic insomnia.


2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Γεώργιος Γαλανόπουλος

Στόχος της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής ήταν η πειραματική μελέτη της επίδρασης της ιλοπρόστης (ανάλογο της προστακυκλίνης) στην επούλωση αναστομώσεων του παχέος εντέρου επίμυων σε συνθήκες αποφρακτικού ειλεού. Για τη μελέτη χρησιμοποιήθηκαν 80 άρρενες επίμυες, οι οποίοι χωρίστηκαν τυχαιοποιημένα σε 4 (1, 2, 3, 4) ομάδες, με 2 (α, β) ισοδύναμες υποομάδες έκαστη. Στην ομάδα 1 (ελέγχου) και 3 (ιλοπρόστη) διενεργήθηκε τμηματική εντερεκτομή και τελικοτελική αναστόμωση. Στην ομάδα 2 (ειλεός) και 4 (ειλεός και ιλοπρόστη) επιτεύχθηκαν αρχικά συνθήκες αποφρακτικού ειλεού και 24 ώρες μετά διενεργήθηκε τμηματική εντερεκτομή και τελικοτελική αναστόμωση. Η ιλοπρόστη χορηγήθηκε στις ομάδες 3 και 4 σε δόση 2μg/kg Β.Σ. σε 3ml διαλύματος NaCl 0,9% ενδοπεριτοναϊκά, διεγχειρητικά και κάθε ημέρα μέχρι τη θυσία, ενώ αντίστοιχα στις ομάδες 1 και 2 στα πειραματόζωα χορηγούνταν 3ml διαλύματος NaCl 0,9%. Σε κάθε ομάδα τα μισά πειραματόζωα (υποομάδα 1α, 2α, 3α, 4α) θυσιάστηκαν την 4η μετεγχειρητική ημέρα και τα υπόλοιπα (υποομάδα 1β, 2β, 3β, 4β) την 8η. Κατά τη νεκροτομή γινόταν μακροσκοπικός έλεγχος για ρήξη της αναστόμωσης, ύπαρξη περιτονίτιδος ή περιαναστομωτικού αποστήματος καθώς και ποσοτική αξιολόγηση των συμφύσεων σύμφωνα με την κλίμακα Van der Hamm. Ακολουθούσε μέτρηση της πίεσης διάσπασης και στη συνέχεια τμήμα της αναστόμωσης αποστέλλονταν για ιστολογική εξέταση κατά την οποία αξιολογούνταν η φλεγμονώδης αντίδραση (διήθηση από ουδετερόφιλα), η νεοαγγειογένεση, ο αριθμός των ινοβλαστών και η εναπόθεση νεοκολλαγόνου. Η ταξινόμηση των μικροσκοπικών ευρημάτων έγινε σύμφωνα με την κλίμακα Ehrlich και Hunt με τις τροποποιήσεις κατά Phillips. Επιπλέον, προσδιορίστηκε βιοχημικά η συγκέντρωση υδροξυπρολίνης και κολλαγενάσης I επί της αναστόμωσης. Για την συνοπτική παρουσίαση των αποτελεσμάτων υπολογίστηκαν απόλυτες και σχετικές συχνότητες (ποσοστά %), δείκτες κεντρικής τάσης (μέσοι όροι, διάμεσες τιμές) και δείκτες διασποράς (ελάχιστες τιμές, μέγιστες τιμές, τυπικές αποκλίσεις). Για τη σύγκριση των μέσων όρων χρησιμοποιήθηκε το κριτήριο της Ελάχιστης Σημαντικής Διαφοράς (Least Significant Difference-LSD), μετά από την εφαρμογή της μεθόδου ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). Για τις συγκρίσεις των ποσοστών, εφαρμόστηκε ο ακριβής έλεγχος του Fisher (Fisher’s Exact Test). Από την ανάλυση των πειραματικών δεδομένων προέκυψε ότι η ενδοπεριτοναϊκή χορήγηση ιλοπρόστης σε συνθήκες αποφρακτικού ειλεού, έχει ως αποτέλεσμα τον περιορισμό της αρνητικής δράσης του ειλεού στην επούλωση των αναστομώσεων του παχέος εντέρου. Συγκεκριμένα, την 4η και 8η μετεγχειρητική ημέρα ελαττώνει σημαντικά την απώλεια σωματικού βάρους. Επίσης, προάγει τη νεοαγγειογένεση, ενώ συγχρόνως αυξάνει τον πολλαπλασιασμό των ινοβλαστών και τη συγκέντρωση υδροξυπρολίνης. Επιπλέον, την 4η μετεγχειρητική ημέρα ελαττώνει τη φλεγμονώδη αντίδραση και μειώνει τη συγκέντρωση κολλαγενάσης Ι. Σταδιακά, την 8η μετεγχειρητική ημέρα αυξάνει τη σύνθεση νεοκολλαγόνου στην περιοχή της αναστόμωσης. Οι παραπάνω δράσεις έχουν ως αποτέλεσμα την αύξηση της μηχανικής ισχύος των αναστομώσεων, κατά την 4η και 8η μετεγχειρητική ημέρα, όπως αυτή προκύπτει από τη μέτρηση των πιέσεων διάσπασης. Συμπερασματικά, η άμεση μετεγχειρητική ενδοπεριτοναϊκή χορήγηση ιλοπρόστης ενισχύει τους μηχανισμούς επούλωσης και αντισταθμίζει την αρνητική δράση του ειλεού στην επούλωση των αναστομώσεων του παχέος εντέρου.


2014 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 538-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALM Vieira ◽  
AS Pires ◽  
AF Nunes-Freitas ◽  
NM Oliveira ◽  
AS Resende ◽  
...  

Trapping methods can strongly influence the sampling of mammal communities. This study compared the efficiency of the capture of small mammals in Sherman traps in two positions (at ground level and in trees) and pitfall traps in a fragmented landscape. Trapping sessions were carried out between October 2008 and October 2009 at two fragments (8 and 17 ha), an agroforest corridor between them, and the adjacent pasture. A total effort of 4622 trap-nights resulted in 155 captures of 137 individuals from six species. Pitfalls had greater success (4.03%), followed by Shermans on the ground (2.98%) and on trees (2.37%; χ2= 6.50, p = 0.04). Five species were caught in Sherman ground traps, four in pitfalls and just two on trees. There was no difference among trap types for marsupials (χ2 = 4.75; p = 0.09), while for rodents, pitfalls were more efficient than Shermans on the ground (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.02). As a result, the efficiency of each trap type differed among habitats, due to differences in their species composition. Pitfalls were more efficient in the rainy season (Fisher's exact test, p <0.0001) while Shermans on trees were more efficient in the dry season (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.009). There was no difference between seasons for Shermans on the ground (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.76). Considering the results found, we recommend that future studies of forest mammal communities, particularly those designed to test the effects of forest fragmentation, include combinations of different trap types.


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