National Outbreak of Salmonella Serotype Saintpaul Infections: Importance of Texas Restaurant Investigations in Implicating Jalapeño Peppers

BACKGROUND: In May 2008, PulseNet detected a multistate outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Saintpaul infections. Initial investigations identified an epidemiologic association between illness and consumption of raw tomatoes, yet cases continued. In mid-June, we investigated two clusters of outbreak strain infections in Texas among patrons of Restaurant A and two establishments of Restaurant Chain B to determine the outbreak's source. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted independent case-control studies of Restaurant A and B patrons. Patients were matched to well controls by meal date. We conducted restaurant environmental investigations and traced the origin of implicated products. Forty-seven case-patients and 40 controls were enrolled in the Restaurant A study. Thirty case-patients and 31 controls were enrolled in the Restaurant Chain B study. In both studies, illness was independently associated with only one menu item, fresh salsa (Restaurant A: matched odds ratio [mOR], 37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.2-386; Restaurant B: mOR, 13; 95% CI 1.3-infinity). The only ingredient in common between the two salsas was raw jalapeño peppers. Cultures of jalapeño peppers collected from an importer that supplied Restaurant Chain B and serrano peppers and irrigation water from a Mexican farm that supplied that importer with jalapeño and serrano peppers grew the outbreak strain. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Jalapeño peppers, contaminated before arrival at the restaurants and served in uncooked fresh salsas, were the source of these infections. Our investigations, critical in understanding the broader multistate outbreak, exemplify an effective approach to investigating large foodborne outbreaks. Additional measures are needed to reduce produce contamination

Antiviral Peptides as Promising Therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2

Over 50 peptides, which were known to inhibit SARS-CoV-1, were computationally screened against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Based on the binding affinity and interaction, 15 peptides were selected, which showed higher affinity compared to the α-helix of the human ACE2 receptor. Molecular dynamics simulation demonstrated that two peptides, S2P25 and S2P26, were the most promising candidates, which could potentially block the entry of SARS-CoV-2. Tyr489 and Tyr505 residues present in the "finger-like" projections of the RBD were found to be critical for peptide interaction. Hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions played important roles in prompting peptide-protein binding and interaction. Structure-activity relationship indicated that peptides containing aromatic (Tyr and Phe), nonpolar (Pro, Gly, Leu, and Ala), and polar (Asn, Gln, and Cys) residues were the most significant contributors. These findings can facilitate the rational design of selective peptide inhibitors targeting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2

Strategies for the robust banking system and the determinants of the commercial and participation banks performance in ,Turkey evidence from a panel data analysis

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the internal determinants of commercial and participation banks operated profitability in Turkey over the time from 2010Q1 to 2018Q4 and recommend strategies for the robust banking system regarding The Turkish bank system. Within this context, quarterly data of 20 commercial and three participation banks were analyzed by using the fixed panel regression model. The bank performance is measured by using return on asset (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). As a result, it was found that size has a negative and significant impact on participation banks ROE and commercial banks both ROE and ROA. It was also concluded that credit risk (CR) has an adverse and significant effect on participation banks. However, non-interest income to the total asset (OFFBS) has a positive and significant impact on all bank profitability. The results also showed that the coefficient of capital adequacy for participation bank ROA is positive and significant. At the same time, its effect is negative and significant for commercial bank ROE and participation bank ROE. Finally, liquidity management is positively related to participation bank ROE. Concerning the results of the model, the commercial and participation bank profitability are associated with the bank-specific determinants. Because of this situation, bank managements and policymakers should initially focus on improving bank management, the lending policy and banking activities so the bank performance will continue in a crisis period