High-pressure resistance variation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains and Salmonella serovars in tryptic soy broth, distilled water, and fruit juice

The effect of high pressure on the log reduction of six strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and five serovars of Salmonella enterica was investigated in tryptic soy broth, sterile distilled water, and commercially sterile orange juice (for Salmonella) and apple cider (for E. coli). Samples were subjected to high-pressure processing treatment at 300 and 550 MPa for 2 min at 6 degrees C. Samples were plated onto tryptic soy agar directly after pressurization and after being held for 24 h at 4 degrees C. At 300 MPa, little effect was seen on E. coli O157:H7 strains, while Salmonella serovars varied in resistance, showing reductions between 0.26 and 3.95 log CFU/ml. At 550 MPa, E. coli O157:H7 strains exhibited a range of reductions (0.28 to 4.39 log CFU/ml), while most Salmonella populations decreased beyond the detection limit (> 5-log CFU/ml reduction). The most resistant strains tested were E. coli E009 and Salmonella Agona. Generally, bacterial populations in fruit juices showed larger decreases than did populations in tryptic soy broth and distilled water. E. coli O157:H7 cultures held for 24 h at 4 degrees C after treatment at 550 MPa showed a significant log decrease as compared with cultures directly after treatment (P < or = 0.05), while Salmonella serovars did not show this significant decrease (P > 0.05). All Salmonella serovars tested in orange juice treated at 550 MPa for 2 min at 6 degrees C and held for 24 h showed a > 5-log decrease, while E. coli O157:H7 strains require a higher pressure, higher temperature, longer pressurization, or a chemical additive to achieve a 5-log decrease.     

Post-traumatic stress disorder and smoking: a systematic review.

We conducted a systematic review of what is known about the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and smoking to guide research on underlying mechanisms and to facilitate the development of evidence-based tobacco treatments for this population of smokers. We searched Medline, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and identified 45 studies for review that presented primary data on PTSD and smoking. Smoking rates were high among clinical samples with PTSD (40%-86%) as well as nonclinical populations with PTSD (34%-61%). Most studies showed a positive relationship between PTSD and smoking and nicotine dependence, with odds ratios ranging between 2.04 and 4.52. Findings also suggest that PTSD, rather than trauma exposure itself, is more influential for increasing risk of smoking. A small but growing literature has examined psychological factors related to smoking initiation and maintenance and the overlapping neurobiology of PTSD and nicotine dependence. Observational studies indicate that smokers with PTSD have lower quit rates than do smokers without PTSD. Yet a few tobacco cessation treatment trials in smokers with PTSD have achieved quit rates comparable with controlled trials of smokers without mental disorders. In conclusion, the evidence points to a causal relationship between PTSD and smoking that may be bidirectional. Specific PTSD symptoms may contribute to smoking and disrupt cessation attempts. Intervention studies that test behavioral and pharmacological interventions designed specifically for use in patients with PTSD are needed to reduce morbidity and mortality in this population.     

Characterization of interactions between Escherichia coli O157:H7 with epiphytic bacteria in vitro and on spinach leaf surfaces

This study characterized the types of interactions between Escherichia coli O157:H7 and spinach phylloepiphytic bacteria and identified those that influence persistence of E. coli O157:H7 on edible plants. A total of 1512 phylloepiphytic bacterial isolates were screened for their ability to inhibit or to enhance the growth of E. coli O157:H7 in vitro and on spinach leaf surfaces. Fifteen different genera, the majority belonging to Firmicutes and Enterobacteriaceae, reduced growth rates of E. coli O157:H7 in vitro by either nutrient competition or acid production. Reduced numbers of E. coli O157:H7 were recovered from detached spinach leaves that were co-inoculated with epiphytic isolates belonging to five genera. A 1.8 log reduction in E. coli O157:H7 was achieved when co-inoculated with Erwinina perscinia and 20% cellobiose, a carbon source used by the phylloepiphytes but not E. coli O157:H7. The reduction on leaves was significantly less than reduction measured in vitro. Phylloepiphytic bacteria belonging to eight different genera, increased numbers of E. coli O157:H7 when co-cultured in vitro on spent medium and when co-cultured on detached spinach leaves. The results, showing reduction of E. coli O157:H7 numbers by natural epiphytic bacteria, support the hypothesis that native plant microbiota can be used for bio-control of foodborne pathogens, however, other epiphytes may promote the persistence of enteric pathogens on the phyllosphere.     

Gamma irradiation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) flours and pastes: Effects on functional,thermal and molecular properties of isolated proteins

In a previous study irradiation of cowpea flours and pastes at medium (10 kGy) and high (50 kGy) doses resulted in significant changes in protein-related functional properties. To understand some of the effects of gamma irradiation on cowpea proteins in particular, we isolated proteins from cowpea flours (FPC) and pastes (PPC) treated with gamma irradiation at 2, 10, and 50 kGy and analyzed their functional, thermal and molecular properties. Nitrogen solubility index of both FPC and PPC decreased, whereas oil absorption and emulsion capacities increased significantly with increasing irradiation dose. Differential scanning calorimetry showed decreases in transition temperatures (T_d) and enthalpies (ΔH), indicating a progressive denaturation of cowpea proteins with increasing irradiation. Size exclusion HPLC revealed increases in protein molecular weights, probably due to protein–protein cross-linking with irradiation in a dose-dependent manner. Reducing SDS-PAGE of FPC and PPC samples seems to suggest that the contribution of disulphide bonds to irradiation-induced cowpea protein–protein cross-linking is small.     

Coupling osmotic dehydration with heat treatment for green papaya impregnated with blackberry juice solution

Slices (1.5 mm thick) of green papaya were impregnated through osmotic dehydration with a blackberry juice–sucrose solution to produce an intermediate moisture product. The effect of processing temperature (T) and sucrose-added molality (m_sucrose) on mass transfer during the operation was assessed, using a response surface methodology (RSM). The RSM was used to model water loss, sugar and anthocyanin gain during the process. Increasing sucrose molality resulted in increasing water loss and sugar gain, but decreasing anthocyanin gain. Water transfer therefore limits anthocyanin impregnation, but not sucrose incorporation. Afterwards, the impact of heat treatment at high temperatures was analysed, using numerical simulation. The conditions of the combined process, designed to achieve an anthocyanin-rich final product, are low sucrose-added molalities (sucrose molality < 1 mol kg^–1) and high processing temperatures (T > 50 ºC) for osmotic dehydration, coupled with high-temperature, short-time (HTST) heat treatments for product stabilisation.     

Evaluation of antimicrobial effects of lauric arginate on reduction of Salmonella spp. in ground chicken

The efficacy of lauric arginate (LAE) on Salmonella survivability in ground chicken containing 9.8% fat was determined under refrigerated storage. The effect of LAE treatments on total aerobes, pH and objective colour were also assessed in ground chicken. LAE was highly effective against Salmonella in 0.1% peptone with no detectable survivors following treatment with 200 ppm and 400 ppm of LAE. No difference existed (P > 0.05) in the growth of Salmonella and total aerobes after treatment with 200 and 400 ppm of LAE in ground chicken inoculated with a four strain mixture of Salmonella. At these concentrations, LAE did not exhibit any treatment effect on the pH and colour of ground chicken (P > 0.05). In conclusion, although LAE possesses strong inhibitory (P < 0.05) effect against Salmonella in suspension in 0.1% peptone water, no inhibitory (P > 0.05) effect on growth of Salmonella was observed in ground chicken at the currently approved levels of 200 ppm of LAE.     

Moisture sorption and thermodynamic properties of cassava starch and soy protein concentrate based edible films

Moisture sorption isotherms and thermodynamic properties of cassava starch and soy protein concentrate–based edible films were investigated. Equilibrium moisture content was determined at various temperatures (10, 20, 30 and 40 °C) and relative humidities (17–83%) using gravimetric method, and the results were analysed using four sorption isotherm models. The equilibrium moisture of edible films (both adsorption and desorption modes) decreased with soy protein concentrate addition and temperature at constant water activity. The monolayer moisture content values of cassava starch–soy protein concentrate edible films decreased with increase in temperature and soy protein level. GAB and Oswin models (%RMS ≤10) best described the isotherms of the biofilms with the monolayer moisture contents, isosteric enthalpy and entropy higher for adsorption with significant kinetic compensations. The moisture sorption and thermodynamic properties of cassava starch–soy protein concentrate edible films showed that they are suitable for packaging applications.     

Quantification of antibiotic use on dairy farms in Pennsylvania

Antibiotic use data are critical for drawing conclusions about the epidemiological connections between antibiotic use in farms animals, antibiotic resistance, animal health, and human health. The goal of this study was to quantitatively and qualitatively characterize antibiotic use on dairy farms in Pennsylvania, the state with second largest number of dairy farms nationally. A survey was sent to 10% of the 6,580 dairy farms registered in Pennsylvania and completed by 235 producers (response rate of 36%). Data on antibiotic use in the previous month and in the previous 6 mo were collected based on farmer self-report, using either recall or treatment records. Two metrics were used to quantify antibiotic consumption: animal-defined daily doses (ADD) and days of therapy (DOT), a metric used in human medicine for purposes of antimicrobial stewardship. Across all farms, 24,444 ADD and 19,029 DOT were reported, representing treatment incidences of 4.2 ADD/1,000 animal-days and 3.3 DOT/1,000 animal-days. These rates were generally lower than those found in other states and countries. The main indication for antibiotic use was mastitis, and first-generation cephalosporins were the most commonly used class of antibiotic for all indications, followed by penicillins and third-generation cephalosporins. Trends in use were similar for ADD and DOT, but the numbers of recorded DOT and associated treatment incidences were generally lower than the number of ADD and associated treatment incidences. Rates of treatment were significantly associated with herd size. This study is the first to quantify antibiotic use on dairy farms in Pennsylvania and the first to use the DOT metric in a dairy setting.