ISOLATION METHODS FOR MOLECULAR DETECTION AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PATTERN OF CAMPYLOBACTER SPP IN LAYER CHICKENS

This study was conducted to compare two culture methods for the isolation of Campylobacter spp from commercial layer chickens and subsequently confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction assays (PCR). Furthermore, the antimicrobial resistance profiles of PCR positive Campylobacter isolates were determined.Cloacal swab samples (550) from chickens randomly selected from five poultry farms in the four geographical zones in Ogun State were cultured for Campylobacter using modified charcoal Cefoperazone deoxycholate agar (MCCDA) and an improved culture method involving Preston broth pre-enrichment and subsequent subculture on Mueller Hinton agar with Campylobacter growth supplements. Putative isolates were later confirmed by PCR assay and sequencing analysis.Other isolates that grew on MCCDA and confirmed by sequencing analysis are Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichis coli, Comamonas kerstli and Pseudomonas aeroginusa . The antibiotic resistant profile of all the isolates were evaluated genotypically for resistance genes to tetracyclines (tetO), multiclasses (cmeB), aminoglycosides (aphA-3-1) and β-lactams (Blaoxa-61) using multiplex PCR (mPCR), and phenotypically for chlortetracycline, tylosin, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin and erythromycin resistance by microbroth dilution method which correspond to the antibiotic resistance genes. The apparent prevalence of Campylobacter was 16.8% by MCCDA while none of the isolates was positive to PCR. Meanwhile, prevalence rate of 26% was obtained using Preston broth pre-enrichment and Mueller Hinton agar with Campylobacter growth supplements, of which 11/50 (22%) of the isolates was confirmed positive by PCR. Genotypic characterization of PCR positive isolates showed 10/11(90%) were C. coli, 1/11(10%) other Campylobacter species and 0% C. jejuni. All the isolates carried both tetO and cmeB resistant genes. The results of minimum inhibitory concentration presented all PCR positive isolates had resistance of 10/10(100%), 9/10(90%), 6/10(60%), 9/10(90%), and 8/10(80%) to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, spectinomycin and tylosin respectively. In addition, all isolates carried multiple resistance to most antibiotics tested which are commonly used in poultry practice in Nigeria. Campylobacter spp in the study areas showed diverse genotypic characteristics, and gene mediated multidrug resistance.   &nbsp

Incidence of hip fracture in Saudi Arabia and the development of a FRAX model

Summary A prospective hospital-based survey in representative regions of Saudi Arabia determined the incidence of fractures at the hip. The hip fracture rates were used to create a FRAX® model to facilitate fracture risk assessment in Saudi Arabia. Objective This paper describes the incidence of hip fracture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that was used to characterize the current and future burden of hip fracture, to develop a country-specific FRAX® tool for fracture prediction and to compare fracture probabilities with neighbouring countries. Methods During a 2-year (2017/2018) prospective survey in 15 hospitals with a defined catchment population, hip fractures in Saudi citizens were prospectively identified from hospital registers. The number of hip fractures and future burden was determined from national demography. Age- and sex-specific incidence of hip fracture and national mortality rates were incorporated into a FRAX model for Saudi Arabia. Fracture probabilities were compared with those from Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. Results The incidence of hip fracture applied nationally suggested that the estimated number of hip fractures nationwide in persons over the age of 50 years for 2015 was 2,949 and is predicted to increase nearly sevenfold to 20,328 in 2050. Hip fracture rates were comparable with estimates from Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. By contrast, probabilities of a major osteoporotic fracture or hip fracture from the age of 70 years were much lower than those seen in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait due to higher mortality estimates for Saudi Arabia. Conclusion A country-specific FRAX tool for fracture prediction has been developed for Saudi Arabia which is expected to help guide decisions about treatment

DETERMINATION OF WATER REQUIREMENTS AND IRRI-GATION SCHEDULING FOR DATE PALM OFFSHOOT

The current study was carried out at the Agricultural and Veterinary Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the two seasons 2003/2004 and 2003/2004. The objectives of this study are to investigate the effect of irrigation scheduling methods with different amounts of applied water on date palme offshoot growth, Determination offshoot consumptive use, crop coefficient, actual water requirements and the suitable soil moisture tension in the root zone before irrigation. The irrigation was scheduling by three methods, evapotranspiration calculation method, soil moisture depletion  method and farmer method (control). The evapotranspiration  calculation method (ETo) included ten treatments as a percentage of evapotranspiration (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0 ETo). The soil moisture depletion method included five treatments of soil moisture depletion as a percentage of field capacity (50%Fc, 60%Fc, 70% Fc, 80% Fc and 90% Fc). The results showed that scheduling irrigation of the offshoot by evapotranspiration calculation method (ETo) or by soil moisture depletion  method, the amount of applied water decreased and the offshoot growth and the water use efficiency increased; compared with the farmer scheduling method. The daily and seasonal gross irrigation requirements for date palm offshoots were 51.3 l/day and 2191 m3/hec.year, while the farmer applied 19960 m3/h.year. So, the farmer added seven times as much as the actual gross irrigation requirements. The maximum water use efficiency were 2.5 kg/m3 and 1.44 kg/m3 for the treatments 0.1 ETo and 50% Fc, respectively. The suitable soil  moisture tension in the root zone before irrigation were 21.5  to 22 C-bar and 22.5 to 23 C-bar for 60 cm and 90 cm depths, respectively

Detection of Mechanically Recovered Poultry Meat (MRPM) in Traditional Egyptian Luncheon (Emulsion Type Sausage)

Detection of MRPM in emulsion type products is a challenge facing meat industry. Where, most of meat products processors in Egypt illegally replace beef meat partially or totally with MRPM in meat products to reduce products cost. Commercial and experimentally produced emulsion type sausage (traditional Egyptian luncheon) formulated with 0, 10, 30, 50, 70, 90% MRPM instead of the meat mass and cooked to different core temperature (70, 80 and 90°C) were examined for technological properties, ash, bones, cartilage and calcium (Ca) content, in addition to histological sections stained with H&E and Trichrome blue. Results indicated that all market samples showed unacceptable texture and binding scores with high ash, collagen, cartilage, bone and Ca content. Histological section showed the presence of skin and cartilage. Addition of 10% MRPM to luncheon formulation could not be detected at different cooking temperatures. While the use of 30% or more MRPM to luncheon formulation, significantly changed technological properties and chemical composition of the product. Thermal treatments of luncheon sausages changed their chemical composition as well as induced structural changes in bone and cartilage content

Productive performance, fertility and hatchability, blood indices and gut microbial load in laying quails as affected by two types of probiotic bacteria

This study investigated two kinds of probiotic bacteria (Bacillus toyonensis, B1 and Bifidobacterium bifidum, B2) on laying Japanese quail’s performance, egg quality, fertility and hatchability, blood biochemical characteristics and microbiological parameters. A total of 270 mature quails (180 females and 90 males) were distributed into ten groups in a completely randomized design at eight weeks of age. The experimental groups were as follows: T1: basal diet only (control); T2-T5, basal diet plus 0.05, 0.075, 0.10 and 0.125% B1, respectively; T6: basal diet plus 0.10% B2; T7-T10: basal diet plus 0.05, 0.075, 0.10 and 0.125% B1 plus 0.05% B2, respectively. Results revealed that egg number (EN) and egg weight (EW) were gradually increased (P < 0.01) as the levels of both probiotic types increased. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (P < 0.05) better within the total experimental period (8–20 weeks) due to B1 alone or/with B2 supplementation. Values of yolk percentage (Y%) were statistically (P < 0.01) higher only at 8–20 weeks of age and T10 recorded the highest value. By increasing the level of probiotics, fertility and hatchability percentages (F% and H%) were gradually increased (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). Creatinine (CR) level was statistically reduced in birds fed T4 diet. Also, urea-N and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were reduced in treated birds. The opposite was found regarding alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Conclusively, using B1 and B2 enhanced the productive performance, some egg quality traits, fertility and hatchability, digestive enzyme activities, and reduced the harmful bacteria in the gut of laying Japanese quail. Our findings could recommend to apply T4 (basal diet + 0.10 % B1), T6 (basal diet + 0.10% B2) and T9 (basal diet + 0.10% B1 + 0.05% B2) levels for the best results

El virus del amarilleo de las cucurbitáceas transmitido por pulgones ("Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus", CABYV): un nuevo virus encontrado en los cultivos cucurbitáceas del Sureste Peninsular

El Virus del amarilleo de las cucurbitáceas transmitido por pulgones (Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus, CABYV) ha sido diagnosticado por primera vez en España en la comarca "Campo de Cartagena" de la Región de Murcia, una de las áreas de cultivo intensivo de cucurbitáceas al aire libre más importantes de nuestro País. En el presente estudio, y con el objetivo de determinar la incidencia e importancia relativa de CABYV en esta zona, hemos llevado a cabo muestreos sistemáticos en diversas parcelas de cultivos de cucurbitáceas durante las campañas de 2003 y 2004 en esta comarca y otras del sureste español. Así, hemos determinado la presencia y frecuencia relativa de CABYV y de otros ocho virus importantes para cucurbitáceas como el Virus del falso amarilleo de la remolacha (Beet pseudo-yellows virus, BPYV), el Virus del mosaico del pepino (Cucumber mosaic virus, CMV), el Virus del amarilleo de las venas del pepino (Cucumber vein yellowing virus, CVYV), el Virus del amarilleo y enanismo de las cucurbitáceas (Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus, CYSDV), el Virus de las manchas necróticas del melón (Melon necrotic spot virus, MNSV), el Virus de las manchas anulares de la papaya (Papaya ringspot virus, PRSV), el Virus del mosaico de la sandía (Watermelon mosaic virus, WMV) y el Virus del mosaico amarillo del calabacín (Zucchini yellow mosaic virus, ZYMV). Este trabajo ha mostrado una elevada incidencia de CABYV en los cultivos de cucurbitáceas en el Sureste Peninsular, así como la mayor frecuencia de CABYV respecto al resto de virus que pueden afectar a estos cultivos. Otro dato llamativo puesto de manifiesto por este trabajo ha sido la elevada proporción de infecciones múltiples detectadas

Exploring facilitators and barriers to medication error reporting among healthcare professionals in Qatar using the theoretical domains framework: A mixed-methods approach

Background There is a need for theory informed interventions to optimise medication reporting. This study aimed to quantify and explain behavioural determinants relating to error reporting of healthcare professionals in Qatar as a basis of developing interventions to optimise the effectiveness and efficiency of error reporting. Methods A sequential explanatory mixed methods design comprising a cross-sectional survey followed by focus groups in Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar. All doctors, nurses and pharmacists were invited to complete a questionnaire that included items of behavioural determinants derived from the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), an integrative framework of 33 theories of behaviour change. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify components, with total component scores computed. Differences in total scores among demographic groupings were tested using Mann-Whitney U test (2 groups) or Kruskal- Wallis (>2 groups). Respondents expressing interest in focus group participation were sampled purposively, and discussions based on survey findings using the TDF to provide further insight to survey findings. Ethical approval was received from Hamad Medical Corporation, Robert Gordon University, and Qatar University. Results One thousand, six hundred and four questionnaires were received (67.9% nurses, 13.3% doctors, 12.9% pharmacists). Questionnaire items clustered into six components of: Knowledge and skills related to error reporting; feedback and support; action and impact; motivation; effort; and emotions. There were statistically significant higher scores in relation to age (older more positive, p<0.001), experience as a healthcare professional (more experienced most positive apart from those with the highest level of experience, p<0.001), and profession (pharmacists most positive, p<0.05). Fifty-four healthcare professionals from different disciplines participated in the focus groups. Themes mapped to nine of fourteen TDF domains. In terms of emotions, the themes that emerged as barriers to error reporting were: Fear and worry on submitting a report; that submitting was likely to lead to further investigation that could impact performance evaluation and career progression; concerns over the impact on working relationships; and the potential lack of confidentiality. Conclusions This study has quantified and explained key facilitators and barriers of medication error reporting. Barriers appeared to be largely centred on issues relating to emotions and related beliefs of consequences. Quantitative results demonstrated that while these were issues for all healthcare professionals, those younger and less experienced were most concerned. Qualitative findings highlighted particular concerns relating to these emotional aspects. These results can be used to develop theoretically informed interventions with the aims of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the medication reporting systems impacting patient safety