Socializing One Health: an innovative strategy to investigate social and behavioral risks of emerging viral threats

In an effort to strengthen global capacity to prevent, detect, and control infectious diseases in animals and people, the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT) PREDICT project funded development of regional, national, and local One Health capacities for early disease detection, rapid response, disease control, and risk reduction. From the outset, the EPT approach was inclusive of social science research methods designed to understand the contexts and behaviors of communities living and working at human-animal-environment interfaces considered high-risk for virus emergence. Using qualitative and quantitative approaches, PREDICT behavioral research aimed to identify and assess a range of socio-cultural behaviors that could be influential in zoonotic disease emergence, amplification, and transmission. This broad approach to behavioral risk characterization enabled us to identify and characterize human activities that could be linked to the transmission dynamics of new and emerging viruses. This paper provides a discussion of implementation of a social science approach within a zoonotic surveillance framework. We conducted in-depth ethnographic interviews and focus groups to better understand the individual- and community-level knowledge, attitudes, and practices that potentially put participants at risk for zoonotic disease transmission from the animals they live and work with, across 6 interface domains. When we asked highly-exposed individuals (ie. bushmeat hunters, wildlife or guano farmers) about the risk they perceived in their occupational activities, most did not perceive it to be risky, whether because it was normalized by years (or generations) of doing such an activity, or due to lack of information about potential risks. Integrating the social sciences allows investigations of the specific human activities that are hypothesized to drive disease emergence, amplification, and transmission, in order to better substantiate behavioral disease drivers, along with the social dimensions of infection and transmission dynamics. Understanding these dynamics is critical to achieving health security--the protection from threats to health-- which requires investments in both collective and individual health security. Involving behavioral sciences into zoonotic disease surveillance allowed us to push toward fuller community integration and engagement and toward dialogue and implementation of recommendations for disease prevention and improved health security

Effect of Origanum syriacum L. Essential Oil on the Storage Stability of Cooked Chicken Meat

ABSTRACT The effects of the addition of Origanum syriacum L. essential oil (OE) on the lipid and protein oxidation, and sensory attributes of cooked chicken meat were compared with those of synthetic commercial meat preservatives. Ground deboned and skinless chicken breast and thigh meat were distributed according to six treatments: (T1) control (no addition of meat preservative); or the addition of (T2) 100 ppm OE; (T3) 150 ppm OE; (T4) 300 ppm L-ascorbic acid (E-300); (T5) 5 and 14 ppm butylated hydroxyanisoleadded to breast and thigh meat, respectively, (BHA/E-320); and (T6) 150 ppm sodium nitrite (E-250). Meat samples were cooked and analyzed for lipid oxidation (TBARS levels) and protein oxidation (carbonyl levels) on days 0, 4, and 7 days of storage. In addition, cooked meat thigh patties were evaluated for cooking loss and sensory attributes. All additives were showed significant lipid and protein antioxidant effects (p0.05) by the treatments. The best sensory attribute scores were obtained with OEat 150 ppm and E-250 treatments. L-ascorbic acid and BHA also showed significant effect (p<0.05) on both lipid and protein oxidation values, and sensory attributes. Based on the results study, it concluded that OEat 150 ppm may be used in replacement of synthetic antioxidants to improve the storage stability of chicken meat

Preservative effects of rosemary extract (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) on quality and storage stability of chicken meat patties

Abstract The effect of different level of rosemary extract (RE) (Rosmarinus officinalis Linn.) cultivated in Jordan, and other preservative on quality and stability of ground chicken meat was investigated. Treatments, were involved 1) Control (No additive), 2) 300 ppm (RE), 3) 350 ppm RE, 4) 300 ppm L-Ascorbic acid (E-300), 5) 200 ppm Sodium nitrite (E-250), 6) 5 ppm butylatedhydroxyanisole (BHA) for breast, and 14 ppm for thigh meat were prepared. TBARS, total carbonyl, and color values, were measured and analyzed at 0, 4, and 7 day. Samples of cooked thigh meat were prepared, and sensory evaluation was reported. Cooking loss %, ultimate pH, and total aldehydes were analyzed. Both RE and E-250 were showed the highest significant effect maintaining low values of TBARS and total carbonyl at 7 day. However, no significant differences were found among all treatments measuring ultimate pH values, and their cooking loss %. The RE and E-250 also showed the highest significant effect delaying aldehydes formation, and positively affect meat sensory attributes. In conclusion, RE (350 ppm) was very effective antioxidant and comparable to the other commercial antioxidants. Thus, RE could be a good substitution to many synthetic antioxidants used in meat industry

Dietary energy source affecting fat deposition mechanism, muscle fiber metabolic and overall meat quality

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of two dietary energy sources, soy bean oil, and sucrose on regulatory mechanisms of meat preservation. Twenty one day-old Hubbard commercial broilers were randomly allocated into two dietary treatment groups with six replicates per treatment, and four broilers per replicate. All birds were coded for the influence of energy source: fat based diet (FD), and sugar based diet (SD). Formulated grower diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The chickens were slaughtered and then boneless, skinless ground chicken tight meat was prepared. Both raw and cooked meats were analyzed for lipid and protein oxidation, and sensory panel evaluation. In addition, meat from the small muscles of the raw thigh was used to evaluate other meat quality characteristics. Proximate analyses showed no significant differences between both dietary treatments on protein, ash and moisture percentage values. Meat samples of the group that was fed FD showed higher significant values of both TBARS and total carbonyl at day 7 of storage time. However, samples of the second group (Fed SD) showed lower values of both ultimate pH and water separation % using raw thigh meat. The effect of FD treatment on the meat composition appeared clearly especially on fat percentage content. In addition, meat samples obtained from chickens fed SD showed better significant values of the overall acceptability attribute. According to the current findings, sucrose could be an excellent alternative to oil in dietary broilers which improved the meat preservation bio-system, and post-mortem storage stability

Prevalence and risk factors of some arthropod-transmitted diseases in cattle and sheep in Jordan

Aim: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of bluetongue virus (BTV) in sheep and bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) in dairy cattle in Jordan. Materials and Methods: A simple randomized study was designed to collect 600 serum samples from sheep and 300 serum samples from dairy cattle located in the Northwestern parts of Jordan. In addition, data regarding farm management were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire through personal interview to determine potential risk factors. The seroprevalences of BEF and BTVs were determined using serum neutralization test and BTV group-specific competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: The overall seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies against BEFV in dairy cattle was 45.37%. The overall seroprevalence of BTV group-specific antibodies in sheep was 47.8% (54% true seroprevalence). Logistic regression analysis identified geographic location (Irbid) (odds ratio [OR]=1.0; confidence interval [CI]=0.5-2.1), no use of disinfectants on the farm (OR=1.0; CI=0.05-0.1), and lack of veterinary services (OR=10; CI=3.5-13.2) as risk factors associated with high seropositivity against BTV in sheep. Geographic location (Jarash) (OR=3; CI=1.0-5.5), age of the animal (1-2 years of age (OR=1; CI=0.3-1.9), and lack of veterinary services (OR=9; CI=4-11) were identified as risk factors associated with high seroprevalence against BEFV in dairy cattle. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that BEFV in dairy cattle and BTV in sheep are endemic in Northwestern regions of Jordan. Implementation of appropriate control measures is, therefore, required to reduce the adverse effects of these diseases on animal health and productivity

Effect of oregano oil and tannic acid combinations on the quality and sensory characteristics of cooked chicken meat

The antioxidant effects of oregano essential oil and tannic acid combinations on ground chicken breast and thigh meats were studied. Six treatments, including: 1) control (none added), 2) 100 ppm oregano essential oil + 5 ppm tannic acid, 3) 100 ppm oregano essential oil + 10 ppm tannic acid, 4) 200 ppm oregano essential oil + 5 ppm tannic acid, 5) 200 ppm oregano essential oil + 10 ppm tannic acid, and 6) 5 ppm butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) for breast or 14 ppm for thigh meat, were prepared. Cooked meat samples were individually vacuum-packaged in oxygen-impermeable vacuum bags and then cooked in-bag to an internal temperature of 75°C. After cooling to room temperature, the cooked meat was re-packaged in new oxygen-permeable bags and stored at 4°C for 7 days. Cooked ground chicken meats were analyzed for lipid and protein oxidation and volatiles at 0, 3, and 7 d of storage. The significant differences among the treatments were very clear in cooked meat samples: Thigh meat patties showed higher 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total carbonyl, and volatiles content compared to the breast meat during storage. A combination of 200 ppm oregano oil with 10 ppm tannic acid showed the most significant effects (P This article is published as Al-Hijazeen, Marwan, Aubrey Mendonca, E. J. Lee, and D. U. Ahn. "Effect of oregano oil and tannic acid combinations on the quality and sensory characteristics of cooked chicken meat." Poultry science 97, no. 2 (2018): 676-683. doi:10.3382/ps/pex285.</p

Management of the Most Common Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Infancy: The Middle East Expert Consensus

The occurrence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) is a formidable challenge for infants, parents, and healthcare professionals. Although data from the Middle East are scarce, experts consider FGIDs a prevalent condition in everyday clinical practice. The new Rome IV criteria revisited the definitions from a clinical perspective to provide a practical and consistent diagnostic protocol for FGIDs. However, the treatment practices for functional disorders vary considerably among Middle Eastern countries, often resulting in mismanagement with unnecessary investigations and treatments. In addition, the role of various treatment modalities, including probiotics such as Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, in FGIDs requires further discussion and evaluation. During a consensus meeting, a locally relevant approach for treating common FGIDs such as infant regurgitation, infant colic, and functional constipation was discussed and approved by regional experts. The participants suggested a simplified treatment plan and protocol for general pediatricians and other primary care physicians managing FGIDs. This easy-to-follow standardized protocol will help streamline the initial management of this complex disorder in the Middle East region and even globally

High Prevalence of Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus in Young Dromedary Camels in Jordan

Prevalence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was determined in 45 dromedary camels from two geographically separated herds in Jordan. Virus shedding was only detected in swabs obtained from the respiratory tract and primarily observed in camels younger than 3 years. MERS-CoV seroprevalence increased with age of camels. Bovine and sheep sera were seronegative. Phylogenetic analysis of partial S2 clustered the Jordanian MERS-CoV strains with contemporary MERS-CoV strains associated with nosocomial outbreaks