Potential airborne microbial hazards for workers on dairy and beef cattle farms in Egypt

This study was conducted to determine the concentration and frequency distribution of certain airborne micro-organisms on cattle farms and their potential health hazards to farm workers. The samples (60 air samples and 240 hand and nasal swabs from cattle farm workers) were collected from ten cattle farms (five dairy barns and five beef sheds) located in the Sharkia Governorate of Egypt. Air samples were collected for microbiological examination in liquid media using an all-glass impinger whereas those for fungal examination were placed on agar plates using slit air samplers (aeroscopes). The results showed that the overall means of total culturable bacterial and fungal counts were lower in the air of dairy cattle barns than in beef cattle sheds. Identification of the isolated bacteria revealed the recovery of the following species (from dairy cattle barns versus beef cattle sheds): Staphylococcus epidermidis (26.7% vs 36.7%), S. saprophyticus (20% vs 33.3%), S. aureus (10% vs 16.7%), Enterococcus faecalis (23.3% vs 26.7%), Enterobacter agglomerans (23.3 vs 13.3%), Escherichia coli, (16.7% vs 26.7%), Klebsiella oxytoca, (10% vs 16.7%), K. pneumoniae (3.3% vs 0%), Proteus rettegri (6.7% vs 13.3%), P. mirabilis (10% vs 10%), P. vulgaris (3.3% vs 6.7%), Pseudomonas species (6.7% vs 16.7%), respectively). Mycological examination of air samples revealed the presence of Aspergillus fumigatus (46.7% vs 63.3%), A. niger (20% vs 36.7%), A. flavus (13.3% vs 26.7%), Penicillium citrinum (16.7% vs 23.3%), P. viridicatum (13.3% vs 6.7%), P. capsulatum (3.3% vs 0%), Cladosporium spp. (30% vs 56.7%), Alternaria spp. (13.3 vs 23.3%), Mucor spp. (6.7% vs 16.7%), Fusarium spp. (3.3% vs 10%), Absidia spp. (6.7% vs 10%), Curvilaria spp. (10% vs 3.3%), Rhizopus spp. (6.7% vs 13.3%), Scopulariopsis (3.3% vs 6.7%), Epicoccum spp. (0% vs 3.4%) and yeast (13.3% vs 20%), respectively. In addition, microbiological examinations of farm workers revealed heavy contamination of their hands and noses with most of the micro-organisms detected in the air of cattle farms. The results showed that potential airborne microbial risks in beef cattle sheds were greater than in dairies

Imprinted Polymeric Beads-Based Screen-Printed Potentiometric Platforms Modified with Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) for Selective Recognition of Fluoxetine

Herein, we present a new validated potentiometric method for fluoxetine (FLX) drug monitoring. The method is based on the integration of molecular imprinting polymer (MIP) beads as sensory elements with modified screen-printed solid contact ion-selective electrodes (ISEs). A multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) was used as a nanomaterial for the ion-to-electron transduction process. The prepared MIP beads depend on the use of acrylamide (AAm) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylic acid (EGDMA) as a functional monomer and cross-linker, respectively. The sensor revealed a stable response with a Nernstian slope of 58.9 ± 0.2 mV/decade and a detection limit of 2.1 × 10−6 mol/L in 10 mmol/L acetate buffer of pH 4.5. The presented miniaturized sensors revealed good selectivity towards FLX over many organic and inorganic cations, as well as some additives encountered in the pharmaceutical preparations. Repeatability, reproducibility and stability have been studied to evaluate the analytical features of the presented sensors. These sensors were successfully applied for FLX assessment in different pharmaceutical formulations collected from the Egyptian local market. The obtained results agreed well with the acceptable recovery percentage and were better than those obtained by other previously reported routine methods

Factors affecting the adoption of electronic marketplaces: A fuzzy AHP analysis

[[abstract]]Purpose – To present a three-layer hierarchical structure of the factors involved in adopting an electronic marketplace (EM) model and to examine the relative weightings given to various strategic factors by the securities industry (SI) and the heavy electric machinery industry in Taiwan. Design/methodology/approach – A literature review and a review of nine Taiwanese industries allow the formulation of a three-layer hierarchical structure of adoption factors. A fuzzy analytic hierarchical process (AHP) is then undertaken to ascertain the relative weightings of factors that affect entry to an EM in two of these industries which are studied in more detail. Findings – The weights of “proactive” factors are found to be greater than those of “defensive” factors. For example, contrary to previous findings in this area, the “risk of adopting new technology” is not found to be the major factor influencing decision making. Various factors are found to have different routes of influence in determining decision making in different industries. Practical implications – Enterprises that appreciate the weightings of factors to be considered will be able to facilitate the adoption of an EM model with lower costs and greater efficiency. Originality/value – The study provides novel and reliable information about strategic factors that are involved in corporate decisions about entering an EM

The International Sexual Health And REproductive Health during COVID-19 (I-SHARE) Study: A Multicountry Analysis of Adults from 30 Countries Prior to and During the Initial Coronavirus Disease 2019 Wave

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence to date about changes to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) during the initial wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To address this gap, our team organized a multicountry, cross-sectional online survey as part of a global consortium. METHODS: Consortium research teams conducted online surveys in 30 countries. Sampling methods included convenience, online panels, and population-representative. Primary outcomes included sexual behaviors, partner violence, and SRH service use, and we compared 3 months prior to and during policy measures to mitigate COVID-19. We conducted meta-analyses for primary outcomes and graded the certainty of the evidence. RESULTS: Among 4546 respondents with casual partners, condom use stayed the same for 3374 (74.4%), and 640 (14.1%) reported a decline. Fewer respondents reported physical or sexual partner violence during COVID-19 measures (1063 of 15 144, 7.0%) compared to before COVID-19 measures (1469 of 15 887, 9.3%). COVID-19 measures impeded access to condoms (933 of 10 790, 8.7%), contraceptives (610 of 8175, 7.5%), and human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infection (HIV/STI) testing (750 of 1965, 30.7%). Pooled estimates from meta-analysis indicate that during COVID-19 measures, 32.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.9%-42.1%) of people needing HIV/STI testing had hindered access, 4.4% (95% CI, 3.4%-5.4%) experienced partner violence, and 5.8% (95% CI, 5.4%-8.2%) decreased casual partner condom use (moderate certainty of evidence for each outcome). Meta-analysis findings were robust in sensitivity analyses that examined country income level, sample size, and sampling strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Open science methods are feasible to organize research studies as part of emergency responses. The initial COVID-19 wave impacted SRH behaviors and access to services across diverse global settings.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Third-generation cephalosporin and carbapenem resistance in Streptococcus mitis/oralis. Results from a nationwide registry in the Netherlands

Molecular basis of bacterial pathogenesis, virulence factors and antibiotic resistanc