Desiccation survival of Acinetobacter spp. in infant formula

Acinetobacter spp. are included under category B in the FAO-WHO list of organisms of concern for neonatal health following the consumption of powdered infant formula. However, the ability of Acinetobacter spp. to maintain their viability in desiccated infant formula over a storage period consistent with the shelf-life of commercially available powdered infant formula (2 years) has not been demonstrated. In this study, 9 clinical and food isolates of A. baumannii, A. calcoaceticus, and Acinetobacter genomosp. 3 were desiccated in infant formula and then reconstituted at designated time points. Bacterial viability was followed for a maximum period of 24 months or until the strain became undetectable (<5 x 102 cfu/ml). For comparative purposes, one Enterobacter hormaechei and two Enterobacter cloacae strains were also monitored for their desiccation survival. The seven clinical and food strains remained cultivable for the whole duration of the study and showed biphasic survival curves. The initial drop in viable count was up to 3.5 log10 cfu/ml within 18 h of desiccation exposure. By the end of the study, the reduction in viability was between 3.6 and 4.8 log10 cfu/ml. In contrast the A. baumanii and A. calcoaceticus species type strains only persisted for 6 and 9 months, respectively, possibly due to laboratory adaptation. The E. cloacae and E. hormaecehei strains were undetectable after 12 and 17 months, respectively. The persistence of Acinetobacter spp. strains in desiccated powdered infant formula, supports the FAO-WHO designation of this organism as a risk to neonatal health

Mineralizable soil nitrogen: amounts and extractability ratios

Includes bibliographical references (page 80).Studies were conducted on a 15N-labeled Weirdale loam, a Dark Gray Chernozemic soil (Boralfic Boroll) to (i) determine the amounts of N released by several methods previously used to obtain an estimate of potentially mineralizable N, (ii) determine their 15N enrichment and extractability ratios, and (iii) compare the results from the above with the N mineralized during incubation and NH+4 released by the chloroform fumigation incubation technique. The NH+4-N accumulated during 10 d in fumigated soils accounted for ∼1% of total N, was highly labeled, and had extractability ratios of 6.6 to 7.4. These ratios were similar to ones obtained for N mineralized during incubation of unfumigated soils. Ammonium-N extracted with dilute acidic permanganate solution (0.01M KMnO4 in 0.1 or 0.5M H2SO4) accounted for 0.72 to 0.84% of total N and had extractability ratios ranging from 3.4 to 3.9. A stronger solution of acidic permanganate extracted more N that was less enriched. Dilute sulfuric acid extracted NH+4 and organic N that had extractability ratios of < 3. Ammonium-N released by autoclaving the soil accounted for ∼1% of total N and had extractability ratios ranging from 0.6 to 0.9. Acid hydrolysis showed that 72% of total N was hydrolyzable, 32% was amino acid-N and 20% was NH+4 released on hydrolysis. The extractability ratio for NH+4 released on hydrolysis was 1.7 and was significantly (P < 0.01) greater than extractability ratios of hydrolyzable N and amino acid-N. The similarity and high extractability ratios of NH+4 released after fumigation and NO-3-N accumulating during aerobic incubation indicated that the fumigation extracted a biologically meaningful fraction. The biomass was responsible for only 15 to 25% of the net N mineralized during a 12-week incubation. Results indicated that (i) extraction of a highly labeled N pool in soil can only partly explain the source of N being mineralized, (ii) N is mineralized from several pools, and (iii) there is a remote possibility that a single extractant can extract the variety of N compounds undergoing mineralization and immobilization in soil

Kinetic analysis of net nitrogen mineralization in soil

Includes bibliographical references (page 757).Studies were conducted to determine the most suitable mathematical equation and the most appropriate method for calculating the values of the parameters of the equation describing the net N mineralization in soil. The cumulative net N mineralized in two treatments of a 15N labeled soil and five unlabeled Saskatchewan soils showed curvilinear trends that could be fitted to either hyperbolic or first order equations. The kinetic parameters of the hyperbolic equation, 15NH0 (potentially mineralizable N) and Tc (time required for 1/2 NH0 to mineralize) determined by nonlinear least squares (NLLS) yielded the best fit to the data for the labeled soil and had the lowest RMS error. Linear regression (1/N vs 1/t) yielded 15NH0 and Tc values which were markedly different than those obtained with the N vs. N/t and t/N vs. t transformations or those obtained with the NLLS method when all the data were considered. The double reciprocal plot gave undue weight to the initial data points. The 15NH0 estimated by NLLS method accounted for 62 and 72% of the total organic 15N remaining in the two treatments of Weirdale loam soil. The NH0 for Saskatchewan soils ranged from 51 to 429 µg N g−1 soil, while the Tc ranged from 7.3 to 45.8 weeks. The 15NF0 values obtained with the first order equation using NLLS method accounted for 39 to 44% of the total organic 15N remaining in soil. The NF0 values for Saskatchewan soils ranged from 35 to 255 µg N g−1 soil while the values of net mineralization rate constant, k, ranged from 0.036 to 0.164 weeks−1. Both equations accurately predicted the amount of net N mineralized over 14 weeks incubation. However, the estimates of potentially mineralizable N and mineralizable N half-life were dependent upon the model used

Improvement of Tuberculosis Laboratory Capacity on Pemba Island, Zanzibar: A Health Cooperation Project.

Low-income countries with high Tuberculosis burden have few reference laboratories able to perform TB culture. In 2006, the Zanzibar National TB Control Programme planned to decentralize TB diagnostics. The Italian Cooperation Agency with the scientific support of the "L. Spallanzani" National Institute for Infectious Diseases sustained the project through the implementation of a TB reference laboratory in a low-income country with a high prevalence of TB. The implementation steps were: 1) TB laboratory design according to the WHO standards; 2) laboratory equipment and reagent supplies for microscopy, cultures, and identification; 3) on-the-job training of the local staff; 4) web- and telemedicine-based supervision. From April 2007 to December 2010, 921 sputum samples were received from 40 peripheral laboratories: 120 TB cases were diagnosed. Of all the smear-positive cases, 74.2% were culture-positive. During the year 2010, the smear positive to culture positive rate increased up to 100%. In March 20, 2010 the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Zanzibar officially recognized the Public Health Laboratory- Ivo de Carneri as the National TB Reference Laboratory for the Zanzibar Archipelago. An advanced TB laboratory can represent a low cost solution to strengthen the TB diagnosis, to provide capacity building and mid-term sustainability

Preparation and Characterization of Two Azo Dyes For Dibenzothiophen by The Diazotization Reaction and Studying Their action as Acid-Base Indicators.

This research describes the preparation of two dyes , by nitration of dibenzothiophen to form p-nitro dibenzothiophen and reduction to form p-amino dibenzothiophen , and creating by the diazonium salt that is reacted with (1&2-naphthol ) to form azo dyes . Their FT.IR spectra and melting points were measured . One of these preparation dyes with orange color had been studied as an acid- base indicator by its effects in Titrimetric analysis by using methods of acid – base titration . Which was changed its color from colorless to orange in basic media , and from orange to colorless in acidic media . Dye (p- dibenzothiophen azo-8-naphthol) was an active acid-base indicator .The color difference between two spaces was clear, and the pH range of color change was (6-10)

Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis impact on Cd4+ cells & infection reduction in HAART naïve HIV infected adults in our urban population, Kenya

Background: The study was undertaken to explore and generate information on the morbidity patterns in HAART Naïve HIV infected adults on oral Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (CTXp) attending Mbagathi and Kenyatta National Hospitals, comprehensive care centres.Methods: A qualitative , retrospective study design of mixed methods was used which comprised; Clinical data extraction and Secondary data analysis of 450 personal medical records that existed and which met inclusion criteria based on age, baseline CD4+ cells ≥ 350 count, non-pregnant, absence of active TB and on  CTXp for duration of six months at the time of enrollment.Results: The study showed that patients in both Mbagathi district and Kenyatta National hospitals comprehensive care centres (CCC) had at baseline CD4+ cells range; 350-600 and later at 12 months CD4+ cells range; 400-1500. Patients of younger age, when given CTXp, had a consistent high CD4+ cells count (above 1000 CD4+ cells count) while those of older age had CD4+ levels that were fluctuating. The median age was 31 years. In over 50% documentation, common infections were frequent and patients treated with essential antimicrobial drugs. We observed that CTXp prophylaxis may have reduced severity of infections and this could also have supported up to 60% of the resolved infections. The self-reported adherence to CTXp was observed as part of quality monitored care.Conclusion: The findings of this study support work in a number of literature in other studies done outside Kenya on CTXp not associated with a worsened progression of HIV disease. Stockouts should be avoided due to public health implications. Further studies may be done to find out what potential CTXp has on HIV infected Kenyan patients with serious threat of bacterial infections in conjunction with the customized highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)

The evolution of non-communicable diseases policies in post-apartheid South Africa

© 2018 The Author(s). Background: Redressing structural inequality within the South African society in the post-apartheid era became the central focus of the democratic government. Policies on social and economic transformation were guided by the government's blueprint, the Reconstruction and Development Programme. The purpose of this paper is to trace the evolution of non-communicable disease (NCD) policies in South Africa and the extent to which the multi-sectoral approach was utilised, while explicating the underlying rationale for "best buy" interventions adopted to reduce and control NCDs in South Africa. The paper critically engages with the political and ideological factors that influenced design of particular NCD policies. Methods: Through a case study design, policies targeting specific NCD risk factors (tobacco smoking, unhealthy diets, harmful use of alcohol and physical inactivity) were assessed. This involved reviewing documents and interviewing 44 key informants (2014-2016) from the health and non-health sectors. Thematic analysis was used to draw out the key themes that emerged from the key informant interviews and the documents reviewed. Results: South Africa had comprehensive policies covering all the major NCD risk factors starting from the early 1990's, long before the global drive to tackle NCDs. The plethora of NCD policies is attributable to the political climate in post-apartheid South Africa that set a different trajectory for the state that was mandated to tackle entrenched inequalities. However, there has been an increase in prevalence of NCD risk factors within the general population. About 60% of women and 30% of men are overweight or obese. While a multi-sectoral approach is part of public policy discourse, its application in the implementation of NCD policies and programmes is a challenge. Conclusions: NCD prevalence remains high in South Africa. There is need to adopt the multi-sectoral approach in the implementation of NCD policies and programmes

Possible causes of fever among patients with blood smear negative for malaria parasites at Bombo Regional Referral Hospital in Tanga, Tanzania

Background: Due to its diverse and non‐specific clinical presentations, malaria has been associated with most infections causing febrile illnesses. Despite being non-specific, clinical diagnosis is still the main method of malaria diagnosis in most health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to establish the probable diagnoses among fever cases admitted at Bombo Hospital in north-eastern Tanzania.Methods: This study involved patients admitted in Medical and Paediatric wards with a clinical diagnosis of severe malaria but having negative blood smears (BS) for malaria parasites. Finger prick blood specimens were collected for blood smear microscopy and rapid diagnostic test. Blood and urine cultures were done for all specimens collected.  Some patients were also screened for HIV infection.Results: A total of 227 patients were recruited and the majority (62.1%) were under-five children. Out of the 227 blood specimens cultured, 25 (11.0%) grew different bacteria species. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent pathogen (68.0%), followed by S. pneumoniae (24.0%), Salmonella species (4.0%) and Streptococcus pyogenes (4.0%).  Only 7 (3.2%) out of 219 urine specimens cultured showed growth of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, S. aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Of the 215 patients screened for HIV, 17 (7.9%) had positive reaction.Conclusion: The findings indicate that S. aureus and S. pneumoniae as the commonest bacteria isolates from blood and P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and K. pneumoniae from urine cultures. These bacteria and HIV should be considered as important contributors to febrile illness cases among patients found with negative BS for malaria parasites

Increased proportion of active soil N in Breton loam under cropping systems with forages and green manures

Total soil N and N mineralization rate partially ctririct&iie the influence olvariouJcropping systems on the growth of.sequent.crop.s in a rotation' The objectives of this study were to (1) quantify the relationship among cropping system, total N and mineralizable N, and (2) compare amount of N mineralized under'controlled laboratory conditions-with pianl N uptake under green]ouse conditi:ns. Three cropping systems that have been in operation between 9 and 60 yr on a Gray-Luvisol (Breton loam; were ^selected . They included: (1) an ag.lo: ecological (lnn) d-yr rotation involving fabibeans as gr-een manure (AER1 sampled after the_first lababean crop-?nq AER? ,u-pied after 3 yr of continuous forage)l (2) continuous grain system (CG), with fertilizer N at 90 kg ha-'^yr- '; inttrated in 1980 and considered established in f"98i; i3) a classicial Ereton iotation (CBR) involving 9]o-ng-term (ca. 1930) 5-yr rotation with forages and cereals and no return of.ciop residues (CBR1 fertilized with P-K-S and CBR2 unfertilized). We cautio_n that not all ohlses of each rotation were sampled: bur conclusions pertain to N-mineralization potential in soil samples immediately preceding barley as sequent crop in each rotation. The rate ofN mineralization declined with time, but it remained greater than iero aftei 20 wi AER2 > > CBRI > CBR2 : CG. Mineralizable soil N, following one cycle of the AER rotation, was almost double that following 60 yr of the CBR rotation. Data for mineral-N accumulation under laboratory conditions were described best by a single-component expo-n-ential model. Legume-based rotations were associated with increased total soil N and a greater proportional increase in active N than in total soilN. Active N was least in soil under the CG system. The incubation-extraction procedure resulted in higher estimates of mineralizable N than did the plant-uptake method; liowever, the ranking of N-supplying power of soils was the same