Evaluation the Impact of Environmental Conditions in New Valley Governorate on the Concentrations of Major, Trace, and Toxic Heavy Metals in Different Cow's Milk Samples

The El-Kharga City/Oasis has hyper arid climate condition and a limited supply of water. In this area, the fossil groundwater is the primary water source. This study aimed to measure the concentrations of major, trace elements, and toxic heavy metals in 50 samples of fresh cow's milk taken from three regions in El-Kharga city, New Valley Governorate (NVG), Egypt. Slight significant differences in the concentrations of major elements were observed among the different regions. The average contents of Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Phosphorus (P) were 477.27, 1416.04, 1115.10, 119.91 and 848.49 mg/L, respectively. Ranges of trace elements were Fe (1.02- 10.30), Zn (1.82- 7.11), and Mn (0.07- 3.98) and the average was 3.09, 4.00 and 0.612 mg/L, respectively. While, toxic heavy metals ranges were Cu (0.01- 0.48), Pb (0.00 - 0.11), and Cd (0.00 - 0.03) as well the average was 0.113, 0.054 and 0.005 mg/L, respectively. The highest average concentration of Fe, Zn, Mn and Cd (4.88, 4.25, 1.29 and 0.007 mg/L, respectively) was in El Mounira villages while those of Cu in Naser El Thowra villages and Pb in Al-Shula area. Furthermore, Zn, Mn and Pb contents were higher while Fe and Cd were lower, and Cu was within the permissible limits recommended by international dairy federation Standard (IDF) and Egyptian standards. As the concentrations of toxic heavy metals did not exceed the safety limits, it could not pose a serious danger to public health

Toxicity assessment of certain insecticides on the red soft scale insect, Pulvinaria tenuivalvata (Newstead) infesting sugarcane plants

Pulvinaria tenuivalvata (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) red soft scale insect is one of the most prevalent insect pests that attacks sugarcane plants. Insecticidal efficiency of six selected insecticides (Malatox, Sulfar, Admiral, Nomolt, Tafaban and Biover) was evaluated for their impact against nymphs and adult females of P. tenuivalvata on sugarcane leaves using leave dipping methods. This investigation was carried out for two successive seasons (July 2021-2022) at the laboratory of the Plant Protection Research Department at the El-Mattana Agricultural Research Station, Luxor Governorate, Egypt. Obtained results showed that the tested insecticides varied in efficacy on the different stages of pest (nymphs and adult females). Moreover, the nymphal stage of P.tenuivalvata was more susceptible to the tested pesticides compared to the adult stage. Admiral and nomolt were the most toxic against the nymphal and adult female stages of P. tenuivalvata on sugarcane leaves, sulfar, however, was the least successful in controlling this pest

Comparative Assessment of the Bioremedial Potentials of Potato Resistant Starch-Based Microencapsulated and Non-encapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum to Alleviate the Effects of Chronic Lead Toxicity

Lead (Pb) is a well-recognized and potent heavy metal with non-biodegradable nature and can induce the oxidative stress, degenerative damages in tissues, and neural disorders. Certain lactic acid bacterial strains retain the potential to mitigate the lethal effects of Pb. The present work was carried out to assess the Pb bio-sorption and tolerance capabilities of Lactobacillus plantarum spp. Furthermore, potato resistant starch (PRS)-based microencapsulated and non-encapsulated L. plantarum KLDS 1.0344 was utilized for bioremediation against induced chronic Pb toxicity in mice. The experimental mice were divided into two main groups (Pb exposed and non-Pb exposed) and, each group was subsequently divided into three sub groups. The Pb exposed group was exposed to 100 mg/L Pb(NO3)2 via drinking water, and non-Pb exposed group was supplied with plain drinking water during 7 weeks prolonged in vivo study. The accumulation of Pb in blood, feces, renal, and hepatic tissues and its pathological damages were analyzed. The effect of Pb toxicity on the antioxidant enzyme capabilities in blood, serum, as well as, on levels of essential elements in tissues was also calculated. Moreover, KLDS 1.0344 displayed remarkable Pb binding capacity 72.34% and Pb tolerance (680 mg/L). Oral administration of both non- and PRS- encapsulated KLDS 1.0344 significantly provided protection against induced chronic Pb toxicity by increasing fecal Pb levels (445.65 ± 22.28 μg/g) and decreasing Pb in the blood up to 137.63 ± 2.43 μg/L, respectively. KLDS 1.0344 microencapsulated with PRS also relieved the renal and hepatic pathological damages and improved the antioxidant index by inhibiting changes in concentrations of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and activated oxygen species, which were affected by the Pb exposure. Overall, our results suggested that L. plantarum KLDS 1.0344 either in free or encapsulated forms hold the potentiality to deliver a dietetic stratagem against Pb lethality

Ultrasound-Assisted Preparation of Brazil Nut Oil-in-Water Emulsions Stabilized by Arabic Gum

 The objective of this work is to evaluate the stability of Brazil nut oil emulsions with gum Arabic using ultrasound-assisted homogenization. The emulsions were prepared in a completely randomized design varying the time (2 and 4 min) and the ultrasound power (30 and 40%). The physicochemical properties of the emulsions (pH, conductivity, turbidity, zeta potential, surface tension, rheology and optical microscopy) were evaluated after the homogenization process and 4 hours later. The results showed that more energetic homogenization processes (longer duration and higher ultrasound power) favored the physicochemical properties, keeping the emulsions more stable. Thus, Brazil nut oil emulsions prepared with ultrasound-assisted showed good physic-chemical characteristics that can guarantee good emulsion stability during spray drying, guaranteeing efficiency and protection of the physical and chemical properties of the Brazil nut oil

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication