Relationships among hygiene indicators in take-away foodservice establishments and the impact of climatic conditions

AimsThis paper examined the relationships among hygiene indicators in take-away foodservice establishments and the impact of climatic conditions. Methods and ResultsA total of 7545 samples were collected encompassing 2050 from food handlers' (HF) hands, 3991 from stainless steel food contact surfaces (FCS) and 1504 samples from plastic FCS. The study covered a period of 43months. Hygiene-indicator bacteria (total plate count, Enterobacteriaceae Staphylococcus) were determined from the samples collected from 559 different take-away establishments. Climatic conditions were evaluated in respect to the outside temperature, pressure, humidity and precipitation. Logistic regression confirmed that the presence of precipitation was associated with an increased likelihood of exhibiting both Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus on HF' hands as well as exhibiting Enterobacteriaceae on both types of FCS. Numerable Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus levels on HF' hands were detected when higher outside temperatures and higher precipitations occurred. Higher outside temperatures were observed when Enterobacteriaceae were detected on both plastics (P lt 005) and stainless steel (P>005). Higher precipitation was observed when Enterobacteriaceae was detected on stainless steel while in contrast, this indicator was detected on plastics in periods with lower precipitation. ConclusionsThis research confirms relationships between hygiene indicators in take-aways and climatic conditions, mostly temperature and precipitation. Significance and Impact of the StudyThis study provides another perspective into the possible nature of cross-contamination and foodborne outbreaks originating in foodservice establishments and brings to attention the necessity of analysing various climatic conditions

Trendovi u siliranju leguminoza

Modern trends in legumes ensilaging technology are based on the knowledge of biomass from the aspect of suitability for ensilaging, wilting, addition of carbohydrate feed, use of biological additives, etc. Today, the experiments are conducted, worldwide, with inoculates, which, in addition to homofermentative, also contain heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria. Products of such inoculants contribute to the increase of aerobic stability of silages so their implementation is good for all types of silage. In addition to the usage of those additions, modern technology of silage is based on the maximum mechanization of the ensilaging process, as well as preparing the silage in the form of roto-bales and silo tubes (most inexpensive way of conservation) as well as permanent facilities.Savremeni trendovi u tehnologiji siliranja leguminoza zasnivaju se na poznavanju biomasa sa aspekta pogodnosti za siliranje, provenjavanju, dodavanju ugljenohidratnih hraniva, upotrebi bioloških dodataka, i dr. Trenutno se u svetu eksperimentiše sa inokulantima, koji pored homofermentativnih, sadrže i heterofermentativne bakterije mlečne kiseline. Produkti ovakvih inokulanata doprinose povećanju aerobne stabilnosti silaža, pa su navedeni dodaci aktuelni za sve vrste silaža. Osim korišćenja navedenih dodataka, savremena tehnologija siliranja se bazira na maksimalnoj mehanizovanosti celokupnog procesa siliranja, kao i pripremanja silaže u formi roto-bala i silokobasica (najeftiniji vid konzervisanja) kao i stalnih objekata

Recharging process of commercial floating-gate MOS transistor in dosimetry application

We investigated the recharging process of commercial floating gate device (EPAD) during the six different dose rates and ten irradiation cycles with the highest dose rate. Dose rate dependence of the floating gate dosimeter was observed from 1 Gy/h to 26 Gy/h (H2O). There is no change of the dosimetric characteristic with a constant dose rate of 26 Gy/h for ten cycles. The absorbed dose does not affect the drift of the threshold voltage readings after the irradiation steps. The reprogramming characteristic is not degrading with the absorbed dose for the ten irradiation cycles, giving the promising potential in the application for dosimetric purposes

Commercial P-Channel Power VDMOSFET as X-ray Dosimeter

The possibility of using commercial p-channel power vertical double-diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (VDMOSFETs) as X-ray sensors is investigated in this case study. In this aspect, the dependence of sensitivity on both the gate voltage and the mean energy for three X-ray beams is examined. The eight gate voltages from 0 to 21 V are applied, and the dependence of the sensitivity on the gate voltage is well fitted using the proposed equation. Regarding X-ray energy, the sensitivity first increases and then decreases as a consequence of the behavior of the mass energy-absorption coefficients and is the largest for RQR8 beam. As the mass energy-absorption coefficients of SiO2 are not found in the literature, the mass energy-absorption coefficients of silicon are used. The behavior of irradiated transistors during annealing at room temperature without gate polarization is also considered

Multiferroic heterostructure BaTiO3/ε-Fe2O3composite obtained by in situ reaction

Solid-state reaction between BaTiO3and Fe2O3was used to produce a multiferroic heterostructure composite. Commercial BaTiO3and Fe(NO3)3•9H2O were suspended in ethanol for 30 minutes in an ultrasound bath. The prepared mixture was thermally processed at 300°C for 6 h. Sintering at 1300 °C for 1 h resulted in a mixture of different phases, BaTiO3, BaFe12O19and Ba12Ti28Fe15O84, which were confirmed by x-ray powder diffraction. A dense microstructure with a small volume fraction of closed porosity was indicated by the scanning electron microscopy, while a homogeneous distribution of Fe ions over BaTiO3phase was visible from energy dispersive spectroscopy mapping. Doping of BaTiO3with Fe2O3resulted in formation of magnetic hexaferrite phases, as confirmed by dielectric measurements that showed a broadened maximum of the permittivity measured as a function of temperature

Effect of mineral-enriched diet and medicinal herbs on Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu uptake in chicken

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The goal of our study was to evaluate the effects of different medicinal herbs rich in polyphenol (Lemon balm, Sage, St. John's wort and Small-flowered Willowherb) used as dietary supplements on bioaccumulation of some essential metals (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) in different chicken meats (liver, legs and breast).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In different type of chicken meats (liver, legs and breast) from chickens fed with diets enriched in minerals and medicinal herbs, beneficial metals (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) were analysed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Fe is the predominant metal in liver and Zn is the predominant metal in legs and breast chicken meats. The addition of metal salts in the feed influences the accumulations of all metals in the liver, legs and breast chicken meat with specific difference to the type of metal and meat. The greatest influences were observed in legs meat for Fe and Mn. Under the influence of polyphenol-rich medicinal herbs, accumulation of metals in the liver, legs and breast chicken meat presents specific differences for each medicinal herb, to the control group that received a diet supplemented with metal salts only. Great influence on all metal accumulation factors was observed in diet enriched with sage, which had significantly positive effect for all type of chicken meats.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Under the influence of medicinal herbs rich in different type of polyphenol, accumulation of metals in the liver, legs and breast chicken meat presents significant differences from the group that received a diet supplemented only with metal salts. Each medicinal herb from diet had a specific influence on the accumulation of metals and generally moderate or poor correlations were observed between total phenols and accumulation of metals. This may be due to antagonism between metal ions and presence of other chelating agents (amino acids and protein) from feeding diets which can act as competitor for complexation of metals and influence accumulation of metals in chicken meat.</p> <p><b>Graphical abstract</b></p

Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight et Arn (Mimosaceae) hydro-alcoholic extract action on the contractility of tracheal smooth muscle isolated from guinea-pig

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Dichrostachys cinerea </it>(L.) Wight et Arn. (Mimosaceae) is largely used in ethno-medically across Africa, and mainly employed for the treatment of asthma in Ivory Coast and Gabon. The paper analyses the relaxation induced by the methanolic extract of <it>D. cinerea </it>(Edici) in the guinea-pig trachea preparations (GPTPs). Purpose: This study aimed to bring out the scientific basis to the use of this plant leading to the validation of this phytomedicine.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>The aorta obtained from guinea-pigs was immediately placed in a Mac Ewen solution. Experiments were performed in preparations suspended between two L-shaped stainless steel hooks in a 10 ml organ bath containing Mac Ewen solution. The isometric contractile force of the aorta strips of guinea-pig were recorded by using a strain gauge. The different drugs were directly administered into the organ bath and the magnitude of GPTPs was evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extract of Dichrostachys <it>cinerea </it>(Edici) using chemical methods revealed the presence of flavenoids, tannins, sterols, triterpenes and polyphenols. Pharmacological studies performed in GPTPs show that of <it>Dichrostachys cinerea </it>(0.1 mg/ml - 2 mg/ml) evoked a broncho-constriction in GPTPs. Whereas, at concentration up to 2 mg/ml, Edici induced a significant dose-dependent relaxation in the GPTPs. KCl-, ACh- or histamine-evoked contractions of isolated trachea was significantly inhibited by increasing concentrations of Edici (3.5-10 mg/ml). Edici (10 mg/ml) as well as promethazine (0.25 mg/ml) significantly inhibited contractions induced by increasing concentrations of histamine (1×10^-7-1×10^-4mg/ml). In the presence of atropine at a concentration of 10^-6mg/ml, contractile response curve (CRC) evoked by ACh (1×10^-5-1×10^-2mg/ml) was significantly abolished in concentration-dependent manner. Edici did not significantly reduced ACh evoked contraction (10^-5-10^-2mg/ml).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These observations suggest that Edici could act through two mechanisms: firstly by activation of β-adrenergic or histaminergic receptors; and secondly muscarinic receptors may not be greatly involved, that justifying the use of the extract in traditional Medicine in Africa.</p

Akt-Induced Phosphorylation of N-CoR at Serine 1450 Contributes to Its Misfolded Conformational Dependent Loss (MCDL) in Acute Myeloid Leukemia of the M5 Subtype

10.1371/journal.pone.0070891PLoS ONE88-POLN

The Effect of Addition of Lucerne Biomass and NPN Substances on Quality of Grape Pomace Silage

Grape pomace (GP) of white varieties without stalks was ensiled by the method of single factor trial in the two treatments: in the first treatment, with the addition of lucerne biomass (L) of the last cut, which was harvested at the stage of forming pods with equal shares in the weight ratio and in the second with the addition of Benural S (B) in the amount of 1%. Chemical analyses were conducted on GP and L to determine the suitability of biomass for silage and to determine the chemical composition and nutritional value and the process of lactic acid fermentation. It has been found that the biomass of GP had 2 times higher concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC 140.5:69.4 gkg-1DM) relative to L, and a lower buffer capacity (BC) what makes it 10 times more favourable for ensiling (ratio WSC/BC 13.1 : 1.3). GP, as compared to L, had lower contents of CP, CF, and a lower nutritional value expressed in NEL and NEM units and a higher content of crude fat. Silage with the equal share of GP + L compared to silage with GP + B had a slightly lower CF and significantly less crude fat and ash, especially Ca. More favourable ratio Ca : P (2.93 : 1) was established in silage GP + L compared to 10.1:1 silage GP + B. Silages GP + L in the fermentation process were scored/rated one class higher according to the DLG and Zelter assessment methods, compared to the silages GP + B. The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of ensiling grape pomace with equal proportion of biomass of lucerne and added NPN substances and to determine the detailed chemical composition, nutritive value and silage quality on the basis of the process of lactic acid fermentation