Real‐time quality authentication of honey using atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry ( APCI ‐ MS )

The aim of this study was to use gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and APCI-MS techniques to detect adulteration in honey. The key volatile compounds in the headspace of the adulterated honeys were marked by GC-MS and their representative fragment ions were utilized in scanning honey samples using the real-time APCI-MS system. The PLS models validated using independent datasets resulted in coefficient of determination (R_p^2) of 0.97 and 0.96 and root mean square error in prediction (RMSEP) of 2.62 and 2.45 for the GC-MS and APCI-MS datasets, respectively. The most efficient volatiles from GC-MS analysis and their corresponding fragment ions m/z from APCI-MS data analysis were then identified and used to develop new PLS models to predict the level of adulteration. The best PLS model gave R_p^2 of 0.95 and RMEP of 2.60% in the independent validation set indicating that the model was very accurate in predicting the level of adulteration

Effect of Ultrasound and Low-Level Laser on Myofacial Trigger Points Versus Traditional Acupoints in Cervicalgia Patients

Background:  Myofacial trigger point: is an area in tissue of hyper irritability that is very tender when palpated, refers pain and creates a twitch response when it is palpated. Trigger points must have palpable taut band exquisite tender spot in that taut band. Patient recognition of the pain as “familiar”, Purpose of study:  This study aimed to investigate the effect of phonophoresis and low-level laser therapy on both myofacial trigger points and on classical acupoints in neck pain patients. Methods: 60 participants from both genders who had neck pain. They varied in age from 20 to 40 years old. They were divided into four equal groups at random: (A, B, C, D).  The four groups will receive therapy on myofacial trigger points of the neck. The first group, Experimental (A), consisted of 15 volunteers from both genders who had neck pain and will receive LLLT myofacial trigger points of the neck for one month, they attended three sessions every week. The second group, Experimental (B), consisted of 15 volunteers from both genders who had neck pain were treated with phonophoresis of hydrocortisone 1% in conjunction with diclofenac 1%. They were engaged in three sessions per week for one month. The third group, Experimental (C), consisted of 15 volunteers from both genders, men and women, who had neck pain were treated with Phonophoresis of hydrocortisone 1% in addition to diclofenac 5%. For one month, they attended three sessions every week. The fourth group, Experimental (D), consisted of 15 volunteers from both genders, men and women, who had neck pain were treated with both LLLT and phonophoresis They attended three sessions every week, for one month

CYP1B1 and myocilin gene mutations in Egyptian patients with primary congenital glaucoma

Purpose: Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) accounts for 26–29% of childhood blindness in Egypt. The identification of disease causing mutations has not been extensively investigated. We aimed to examine the frequency of CYP1B1 and MYOC mutations in PCG Egyptian patients, and study a possible genotype/phenotype correlation.Methods: Ninety-eight patients with PCG diagnosed at the Ophthalmology department ofAlexandria Main University Hospital were enrolled. Demographic and phenotypic characteristics were recorded. Patients and 100 healthy subjects (control group) were screened for two mutations in CYP1B1 gene (G61E, R368H) and one mutation in MYOC gene (Gln48His) using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP). Phenotypic characteristics pertaining to disease severity were compared.Results: Nineteen patients (19%) with PCG were found positive for one or more of the mutations screened for. Seven patients (7%) were homozygous for the G61E mutation. Ten patients (10%) were heterozygous; 6 for the G61E mutation, 2 for the R368H mutation and 2 for the Gln48His mutation. Two patients (2%) were double heterozygotes harboring a R368H as well as a Gln48His mutation. The most common mutation observed was the G61E in 13 patients; 7 homozygotes and 6 heterozygotes for the mutation. The control group were negative for all mutations screened for. No significant correlations between the mutations and phenotype severity were detected. A statistically significant positive correlation however was found between the different mutations andeach of the IOP and the cup/disk ratio.Conclusion: The current study further endorses the role of CYP1B1 mutations in the etiology of PCG among Egyptian patients and is the first study to report MYOC gene mutation in Egyptian patients with PCG

Prediction of water and protein contents and quality classification of Spanish cooked ham using NIR hyperspectral imaging

[EN] This study was carried out to investigate the ability of hyperspectral imaging technique in the NIR spectral region of 900 1700 nm for the prediction of water and protein contents in Spanish cooked hams. Multivariate analyses using partial least-squares regression (PLSR) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were applied to the spectral data extracted from the images to develop statistical models for predicting chemical attributes and classify the different qualities. Feature-related wavelengths were identified for protein (930, 971, 1051, 1137, 1165, 1212, 1295, 1400, 1645 and 1682 nm) and water (930, 971, 1084, 1212, 1645 and 1682 nm) and used for regression models with fewer predictors. The PLS-DA model using optimal wavelengths (966, 1061, 1148, 1256, 1373 and 1628 nm) successfully classified the examined hams in different quality categories. The results revealed the potentiality of NIR hyperspectral imaging technique as an objective and non-destructive method for the authentication and classification of cooked hams.Author Pau Talens acknowledges the Spanish Ministry of Education for the financial support of his fellowship to do a period abroad at University College Dublin, National University of Ireland (Orden EDU/3378/2010 de 21 de diciembre).Talens Oliag, P.; Mora, L.; Morsy, N.; Barbin, DF.; Elmasry, G.; Sun, D. (2013). Prediction of water and protein contents and quality classification of Spanish cooked ham using NIR hyperspectral imaging. Journal of Food Engineering. (117):272-280. doi:10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2013.03.014S27228011

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

Color difference for shade determination with visual and instrumental methods: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Shade determination is a critical step for the fabrication of a satisfactory restoration. Visual shade selection with conventional shade guides is subjective and influenced by variables related to light, observer, and object. Shade selection devices have been introduced to provide subjective and quantitative shade values. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the color difference for shade selection with visual and instrumental methods. Methods An initial search was conducted on databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) in addition to a manual search through references of identified articles. Studies comparing the accuracy of visual and instrumental shade selection based on ΔΕ were included in data synthesis. Mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the effect size for global and subgroup meta-analysis using the inverse variance weighted method and random-effects model (P ˂ 0.05). Results were presented as forest plots. Results The authors identified 1776 articles from the initial search. Seven in vivo studies were included in the qualitative analysis of which six studies were included in the meta-analysis. For the global meta-analysis, the pooled mean (95% CI) was − 1.10 (− 1.92, − 0.27). Test for overall effect showed that instrumental methods were significantly more accurate than visual methods with significantly less ΔΕ (P = 0.009). Test for subgroup difference showed that the type of instrumental shade selection method used had a significant effect on accuracy (P ˂ 0.001). Instrumental methods including spectrophotometer, digital camera, and smartphone showed significantly better accuracy compared with visual shade selection (P ˂ 0.05). The greatest mean difference was found between the smartphone and visual method with a mean (95% CI) of − 2.98 (− 3.37, − 2.59) with P ˂ 0.001 followed by digital camera and spectrophotometer. There was no significant difference in accuracy between IOS and visual shade selection (P = 1.00). Conclusions Instrumental shade selection with a spectrophotometer, digital camera, and smartphone showed significantly better shade matching compared with a conventional shade guide, whereas IOS did not improve the shade matching significantly compared with shade guides. Review registration PROSPERO CRD4202235654

Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing to Estimate Biophysical Variables of Green-Onion Crop (<i>Allium cepa</i> L.) under Different Sources of Magnesium in Ismailia, Egypt

Foliar feeding has been confirmed to be the fastest way of dealing with nutrient deficiencies and increasing the yield and quality of crop products. The synthesis of chlorophyll and photosynthesis are directly related to magnesium (Mg), which operates in the improvement of plant tissues and enhances the appearance of plants. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between two biophysical variables, including the leaf area index (LAI), the fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FAPAR), and seven spectral vegetation indices. The spectral indices under investigation were Atmospherically Resistant Vegetation Index (ARVI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), Disease–Water Stress Index (DSWI), Modified Chlorophyll Absorption Ratio Index (MCARI), the Red-Edge Inflection Point Index (REIP), and Pigment-Specific Simple Ratio (PSSRa). These indices were derived from Sentinel-2 data to investigate the impact of applying foliar applications of Mg from various sources in the production of green-onion crops. The biophysical variables were derived using field measurements and Sentinel-2 data under the effects of different sources of Mg foliar sprays. The correlation coefficient between field-measured LAI and remotely sensed, calculated LAI was 0.72 in two seasons. Concerning FAPAR, it was found that the correlation between remotely sensed calculated FAPAR and field-measured FAPAR was 0.66 in the first season and 0.89 in the second season. The magnesium oxide nanoparticle (nMgO) treatments resulted in significantly higher yields than the different treatments of foliar applications. The LAI and FAPAR variables showed a positive correlation with yield in the first season (October) and in the second season (March). Yield in treatment by nMgO varied significantly from that in the other treatments, ranging from 69-ton ha−1 in the first season to 74.9-ton ha−1 in the second season. Linear regression between LAI and PSSRa showed the highest correlation coefficient (0.90) compared with other vegetation indices in the first season. In the same season, the highest correlation coefficient (0.94) was found between FAPAR and PSSRa. In the second season, the highest accuracy to the estimate LAI was found in the correlation between MCARI and PSSRa, with correlation coefficients of 0.9 and 0.91, respectively. In the second season, the highest accuracy to the estimate FAPAR was found with the correlation between PSSRa, ARVI, and NDVI, with correlation coefficients 0.97 and 0.96, respectively. The highest correlation coefficients between vegetation indices and yield were found with ARVI and NDVI in the first season, and only with NDVI in the second season

Effects of Lactobacilli acidophilus and/or spiramycin as an adjunct in toxoplasmosis infection challenged with diabetes

The current study assessed the anti-parasitic impact of probiotics on Toxoplasma gondii infection either solely or challenged with diabetes in Swiss albino mice. The study design encompassed group-A (diabetic), group-B (non-diabetic), and healthy controls (C). Each group was divided into infected-untreated (subgroup-1); infected and spiramycin-treated (subgroup-2); infected and probiotic-treated (subgroup-3); infected and spiramycin+ probiotic-treated (subgroup-4). Diabetic-untreated animals exhibited acute toxoplasmosis and higher cerebral parasite load. Overall, various treatments reduced intestinal pathology, improved body weight, and decreased mortalities; nevertheless, probiotic + spiramycin exhibited significant differences. On day 7 post-infection both PD-1 and IL-17A demonstrated higher scores in the intestine of diabetic-untreated mice compared with non-diabetics and healthy control; whereas, claudin-1 revealed worsening expression. Likewise, on day 104 post-infection cerebral PD-1 and IL-17A showed increased expressions in diabetic animals. Overall, treatment modalities revealed lower scores of PD-1 and IL-17A in non-diabetic subgroups compared with diabetics. Intestinal and cerebral expressions of IL-17A and PD-1 demonstrated positive correlations with cerebral parasite load. In conclusion, toxoplasmosis when challenged with diabetes showed massive pathological features and higher parasite load in the cerebral tissues. Probiotics are a promising adjunct to spiramycin by ameliorating IL-17A and PD-1 in the intestinal and cerebral tissues, improving the intestinal expression of claudin-1, and efficiently reducing the cerebral parasite load