bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic Burden from Health Losses Due to Foodborne Illness in the United States
Authors: SCHARFF ROBERT L.
Published: December 2011

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently revised their estimates for the annual number of foodborne illnesses; 48 million Americans suffer from domestically acquired foodborne illness associated with 31 identified pathogens and a broad category of unspecified agents. Consequently, economic studies based on the previous estimates are now obsolete. This study was conducted to provide improved and updated estimates of the cost of foodborne illness by adding a replication of the 2011 CDC model to existing cost-of-illness models. The basic cost-of-illness model includes economic estimates for medical costs, productivity losses, and illness-related mortality (based on hedonic value-of-statistical-life studies). The enhanced cost-of-illness model replaces the productivity loss estimates with a more inclusive pain, suffering, and functional disability measure based on monetized quality-adjusted life year estimates. Costs are estimated for each pathogen and a broader class of unknown pathogens. The addition of updated cost data and improvements to methodology enhanced the performance of each existing economic model. Uncertainty in these models was characterized using Monte Carlo simulations in @Risk version 5.5. With this model, the average cost per case of foodborne illness was $1,626 (90% credible interval [CI], $607 to $3,073) for the enhanced cost-of-illness model and $1,068 (90% CI, $683 to $1,646) for the basic model. The resulting aggregated annual cost of illness was $77.7 billion (90% CI, $28.6 to $144.6 billion) and $51.0 billion (90% CI, $31.2 to $76.1 billion) for the enhanced and basic models, respectively.
Investigation of Chemical Rinses Suitable for Very Small Meat Plants To Reduce Pathogens on Beef Surfaces
Authors: YODER SALLY F. , HENNING WILLIAM R. , MILLS EDWARD W. , DOORES STEPHANIE , OSTIGUY NANCY , CUTTER CATHERINE N.
Published: December 2011

Numerous antimicrobial interventions are capable of reducing the prevalence of harmful bacteria on raw meat products. There is a need to identify effective and inexpensive antimicrobial interventions that could, in practice, be used in very small meat plants because of limited financial, space, and labor resources. Eight antimicrobial compounds (acetic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, peroxyacetic acid, acidified sodium chlorite, chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite, and aqueous ozone) were applied at various concentrations with small, hand-held spraying equipment, and bactericidal effectiveness was examined. Beef plate pieces were inoculated with fecal slurry containing a pathogen cocktail (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter jejuni) and natural populations of aerobic plate counts, coliforms, and E. coli. Antimicrobial solutions were applied to beef surfaces via a portable, pressurized hand-held spray tank, and treated surfaces were subjected to appropriate methods for the enumeration and isolation of pathogens and hygiene indicators. Relative antimicrobial effectiveness was determined (from greatest to least): (i) organic acids, (ii) peroxyacetic acid, (iii) chlorinated compounds, and (iv) aqueous ozone. Using the equipment described, a 2% lactic acid rinse provided 3.5- to 6.4-log CFU/cm2 reductions across all bacterial populations studied. Conversely, aqueous ozone yielded 0.02- to 2.9-log CFU/cm2 reductions in pathogens and hygiene indicators, and did not differ significantly from a control tap water rinse (P = 0.055 to 0.731). This 2% lactic acid rinse will be subsequently combined with a previously described water wash to create a multistep antimicrobial intervention that will be examined under laboratory conditions and validated in very small meat plants.
Microbial Quality of Bagged Baby Spinach and Romaine Lettuce: Effects of Top versus Bottom Sampling
Authors: KASE JULIE A. , BORENSTEIN STACEY , BLODGETT ROBERT J. , FENG PETER C. H.
Published: December 2011

Contamination with Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella have called into question the safety and microbial quality of bagged ready-to-eat leafy greens. This study expands on previous findings that these goods have high total bacteria counts (TBC) and coliform counts, variation in counts among different lots, that Escherichia coli is present, and disparities in counts when bags are top or bottom sampled. Nearly 100 bags of baby spinach and hearts of romaine lettuce from a single brand were subjected to both top and bottom sampling. Product was blended, and a portion serially diluted and plated to obtain TBC. Total coliform and E. coli levels were estimated by the most-probable-number (MPN) technique with ColiComplete discs. Top-sampled TBC from bags of baby spinach (48 bags, 13 different lots) ranged from 3.9 to 8.1 log CFU/g and bottom-sampled TBC ranged from 4.0 to 8.2 log CFU/g, with 52% of the bags (or 39% of the lots) producing TBC higher in bottom samples. For hearts of romaine (47 bags from 19 different lots), top-sampled bags had TBC ranging from 2.4 to 7.0 log, and bottom-sampled bags had TBC from 3.3 to 7.3 log, with 64% of the bags (or 63% of the lots) showing higher TBC in bottom samples. However, we are unable to reject the hypothesis that the top and bottom samples from either commodity contain the same TBC (P ≥ 0.08). No E. coli was detected and total coliform bacteria counts were, with few exceptions, ≥210 MPN/g, irrespective of TBC. In general, lots with the most number of days before the printed “use-by” date had lower TBC. However, the R2 values for either baby spinach (0.4085) or hearts of romaine (0.2946) suggest that age might not be a very good predictor of higher TBC. TBC varied widely between lots and even more so within same-lot samples, as indicated by the sum of squares results. This finding, along with higher TBC in bottom samples, suggests further consideration when a microbiological sampling scheme of bagged produce is designed.
Evaluation of Most-Probable-Number–PCR Method with Internal Amplification Control for the Counting of Total and Pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Frozen Shrimps
Authors: COPIN S. , ROBERT-PILLOT A. , MALLE P. , QUILICI M. L. , GAY M.
Published: December 2011

The most-probable-number (MPN) method is often time-consuming for the isolation, detection, and quantification of Vibrio parahaemolyticus from natural sources. MPN counting of V. parahaemolyticus bacteria usually involves the isolation of typical V. parahaemolyticus colonies on selective medium, with subsequent confirmation by biochemical identification. In this study, we evaluated the use of a PCR on MPN enrichment cultures (MPN-PCR) for the direct detection of total and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus cells in frozen shrimp. This reaction targeted the R72H, tdh, and trh sequences. An internal amplification control was added to the samples before R72H amplification. There was an excellent correlation between the results of the two methods for artificially inoculated and natural shrimp samples. Of 36 natural samples, 28 tested positive for the presence of V. parahaemolyticus, with an MPN value of 2 × 10−1 to 9.2 × 101 per g. No pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus cells were detected. The test had a detection limit of one V. parahaemolyticus organism per g and was completed within two working days. These results support the use of the combination of PCR with MPN for the detection of total or potentially pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus cells in frozen shrimp.
Role of Oregano (Origanum vulgare) Essential Oil as a Surface Fungus Inhibitor on Fermented Sausages: Evaluation of Its Effect on Microbial and Physicochemical Characteristics
Authors: CHAVES-LÓPEZ1 CLEMENCIA , MARTIN-SAacute;NCHEZ ANA MARÍA , FUENTES-ZARAGOZA EVANGÉLICA , VIUDA-MARTOS MANUEL , FERNÁNDEZ-LÓPEZ JUANA , SENDRA ESTHER , SAYAS ESTRELLA , ALVAREZ JOSÉ ANGEL PÉREZ
Published: December 2011

Oregano essential oil (OEO) was evaluated to determine its effect on the growth of natural contaminating molds on the surface of Spanish fermented sausage, the development of the internal microbial population of the sausage, and the physicochemical properties of the sausage. Results indicated a dramatic reduction in the contaminant molds. At the end of ripening, the main endogenous fungal species in control samples were Mucor racemosus (55%), Aspergillus fumigatus (20.6%), Cladosporium sphaerospermum (11.1%), Acremonium strictum (7.9%), and Aspergillus niger (4.7%). In samples treated with OEO, M. racemosus and A. fumigatus were the only species isolated; the treatment was more effective against A. fumigatus than against M. racemosus. The use of OEO to inhibit surface fungi did not affect the sausage drying process, pH, water activity, or color changes during ripening. These parameters change in a typical pattern for fermented dry-cured sausages during ripening. At the end of ripening, OEO-treated sausages had lower hardness and greater chewiness than the control but showed similar textural properties to sausages treated with potassium sorbate.
Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of Vibrio, Salmonella, and Aeromonas Isolates from Various Uncooked Seafoods in Thailand
Authors: WOODRING JOSEPH , SRIJAN APICHAI , PURIPUNYAKOM PAKSATHORN , ORANSATHID WILAWAN , WONGSTITWILAIROONG BOONCHAI , MASON CARL
Published: December 2011

Uncooked seafood samples were collected from open markets and supermarkets in Bangkok, Thailand, and were examined for the presence of Vibrio, Salmonella, and Aeromonas species from January to February 2008. From 120 samples, 272 bacterial isolates were identified through biochemical testing. Of all sea bass, shrimp, oyster, and blood cockle samples (30 of each) that were processed for culture, 114 (95%) samples had at least one detectable isolate of Vibrio, Salmonella, or Aeromonas, leaving only 6 (5%) samples free of them. All oyster sample (100%) had at least one pathogen, followed by sea bass (97%), blood cockles (97%), and shrimp (90%). Overall, 111 (92%) of all samples had detectable Vibrio spp., 32 (27%) had detectable Aeromonas spp., and 25 (21%) had detectable Salmonella enterica. There was no overall difference between positive samples collected from fresh markets versus supermarkets (relative risk, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.05). Resistance to ampicillin among isolated pathogens was relatively high (56%), while resistance to 12 other antibiotics, including azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, was relatively low (0, 0, and 3%, respectively). Study results indicate that uncooked seafood in Bangkok, Thailand, commonly harbors enteric pathogens and that consumption of uncooked seafood should be avoided to reduce foodborne illnesses.
Toxic Metals (Hg, Cd, and Pb) in Fishery Products Imported into Italy: Suitability for Human Consumption
Authors: STORELLI MARIA M. , NORMANNO GIOVANNI , BARONE GRAZIA , DAMBROSIO ANGELA , ERRICO LUIGI , GAROFALO RITA , GIACOMINELLI-STUFFLER ROBERTO
Published: December 2011

Mercury, cadmium, and lead concentrations were determined in various fishery products (fishes, cephalopod molluscs, and crustaceans) imported into Italy from .many European and non-European coastal countries. Considerable differences were found in the concentrations of these metals among the products tested. The highest mean Hg concentration was found in fishes (0.21 μg g−1 wet weight), whereas cephalopods had the highest mean Cd concentration (0.35 μg g−1 wet weight). Swordfish (0.80 μg g−1 wet weight), longtail tuna (0.53 μg g−1 wet weight), and thornback ray (0.52 μg g−1 wet weight) had the highest concentrations of Hg, whereas maximum Cd concentrations were found in samples of common cuttlefish (0.85 μg g−1 wet weight) and common octopus (0.64 μgg−1 wet weight). The majority of the samples analyzed were in compliance with European Union legislation, except for a few cases. The calculated mean weekly intakes of Hg, Cd, and Pb through consumption of the fishery products tested were all below the legislated respective provisional tolerable weekly intakes. In general, the samples analyzed were considered safe to eat with regard to the metal concentrations found and the allowable intakes based on legislation. Nevertheless, the consumption of some species may be of significant importance for consumer health.
Growth of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 at 30°C Is Not Affected by Anatomical Location on the Chicken Carcass†
Authors: OSCAR THOMAS P.
Published: December 2011

Development of models for growth of Salmonella in the chicken food matrix is time-consuming and expensive. The current study was undertaken to examine growth of Salmonella on different anatomical locations of the chicken carcass. The purpose was to determine whether anatomical location should be included as an independent variable in predictive models for chicken. Eleven anatomical locations were studied: skin (wing, breast, drumstick, and thigh), meat surface (wing, breast, drumstick, and thigh), and meat interior (breast, drumstick, and thigh). Background microflora, pH, and growth (lag time, λ; growth rate,μ; and time for a 3-log increase, t3) at 30°C for a small inoculum size (0.92 ±0.30 log per portion) of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 were examined. Four or six replicate storage trials were conducted per anatomical location (n = 46 growth curves). Portion sizes were 1.12 ±0.17 g (mean ±standard deviation) for meat and 0.25 ±0.08 g for skin. A two-phase linear model was used to determine λ andμ. The effect of anatomical location on dependent variables was assessed by one-way analysis of variance. pH values differed (P < 0.001) among anatomical locations, with skin (6.86 ±0.20) > dark meat (6.39 ±0.20) > white meat (5.97 ±0.20). Background microflora (4.32 ±1.66 log per portion) was variable and not affected (P > 0.05) by anatomical location. Likewise, λ (1.90 ±0.75 h), μ (0.648 ±0.120 log/h), and t3 (6.71 ±0.82 h) at 30°C were not affected (P > 0.05) by anatomical location. Although there were differences in pH among anatomical locations, these differences were not sufficient to affect growth of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 at 30°C. If this observation holds for other storage conditions and strains, then anatomical location does not need to be included as an independent variable in predictive models for chicken. This would save significant time and money for the predictive microbiologist.
Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Retail Chicken Carcasses and Pet Workers in Northwest Arkansas
Authors: HANNING IRENE , GILMORE DAVID , PENDLETON SEAN , FLECK SCOTT , CLEMENT ASHLEY , PARK SI HONG , SCOTT ERIN , RICKE STEVEN C.
Published: December 2011

Staphylococcus aureus can be carried on the skin and nasal passages of humans and animals as a commensal. A case of human methicillin-resistant S. aureus infection resulting from contact with pork has been reported. Poultry carcasses are sold at retail with the skin intact, but pork and beef typically are not. Thus, the risk of methicillin-resistant S. aureus human infection from whole raw poultry carcasses may be greater than that of exposure from pork or beef. The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize S. aureus from whole retail poultry carcasses and compare the isolates to S. aureus isolates from humans. A total of 25 S. aureus isolates were collected from 222 whole poultry carcasses. The isolates were characterized phenotypically with antibiotic resistance disc diffusion assays and genotypically using multilocus sequence typing. A total of 17 S. aureus isolates obtained from healthy humans were included and characterized in the same way as the poultry isolates. Staphylococcus spp. were recovered from all poultry carcasses. Only 25 poultry carcasses (11.2%) were contaminated with S. aureus. Of these 25 isolates, 36% were resistant to at least one of the antibiotics tested and 20% were resistant to two or more antibiotics tested. However, 100% of the human isolates were resistant to at least one of the antibiotics and 94% were resistant to two or more antibiotics. The results of the multilocus sequence typing indicate that most of the isolates grouped according to source. These results indicate a low prevalence of S. aureus present in poultry, and the isolates were not phenotypically similar to human isolates. The low number of S. aureus isolates from this study indicates that chicken carcasses would appear to not be a significant source of this bacterium.
Colloidal Gold–Based Immunochromatographic Test Strip for Rapid Detection of Abrin in Food Samples
Authors: GAO SHAN , NIE CHONG , WANG JUNHONG , WANG JING , KANG LIN , ZHOU YANG , WANG JING-LIN
Published: December 2011

In the present study, we developed a convenient, rapid, and sensitive immunochromatographic (IC) test strip to detect abrin in assay buffer and spiked abrin in test food samples. The abrin IC test strip was based on a sandwich format consisting of a monoclonal antibody and a polyclonal antibody. The anti-abrin A chain monoclonal antibody from mice was immobilized on a porous nitrocellulose membrane as a capture antibody, while the anti-abrin polyclonal antibody from rabbits was conjugated to colloidal gold particles, serving as a detection antibody. Both visual observation and quantitative analysis indicated that the lower detection of the strip was about 3 ng/ml when abrin was directly spiked into milk, orange juice, and drinking water at a concentration of 3 to 60 ng/ml; the analytical recovery rate was 92.2 to 128%. With this method, abrin spiked into food could be detected in less than 10 min. Moreover, the IC test strip showed no cross-reaction with the closely related phytotoxin ricin. Therefore, our test strip is an ideal candidate for the development of a kit for rapid and quantitative detection of abrin in food samples.
Incidence of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Staphylococcal Enterotoxin in Two Types of Mexican Fresh Cheeses
Authors: TORRES-VITELA M. R. , MENDOZA-BERNARDO M. , CASTRO-ROSAS J. , GOMEZ-ALDAPA C. A. , GARAY-MARTINEZ L. E. , NAVARRO-HIDALGO V. , VILLARRUEL-LÓPEZ A.
Published: December 2011

Handcrafted fresh cheeses are popular among consumers in Mexico. However, unsafe raw materials and inadequate food safety practices during cheese manufacture and preservation make them a potential public health risk. The incidence of Salmonella, Listeria, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and staphylococcal enterotoxin was analyzed in two types of fresh cheese (panela and adobera) commonly marketed in Mexico. A total of 200 samples, 100 panela and 100 adobera, were acquired from 100 wholesale milk product distributors who supply small retailers in the Guadalajara metropolitan area, Jalisco State, Mexico. Pathogens were identified using culture and immunoassay (miniVidas) methods. The presence of staphylococcal enterotoxin was determined by an immunoassay method. Of the 200 analyzed samples, 92 were positive for at least one of the pathogens. The incidence in the panela samples was 56%: 34% Salmonella, 16% E. coli O157:H7, and 6% L. monocytogenes. In the adobera samples, incidence was 36%: 20% Salmonella, 4% E. coli O157:H7, and 12% L. monocytogenes. Staphylococcal enterotoxin was not detected in any of the 200 samples. Choice of technique had no effect on detection of pathogen incidence, although the immunoassay method identified more Salmonella serotypes than the culture method. Handcrafted panela and adobera fresh cheeses in Mexico frequently contain pathogenic bacteria and therefore pose a public health risk.
Microbial Performance of Food Safety Management Systems Implemented in the Lamb Production Chain
Authors: OSÉS S. M. , LUNING P. A. , JACXSENS L. , SANTILLANA S. , JAIME I. , ROVIRA J.
Published: December 2011

The actual microbial status of the lamb production chain at three slaughterhouses, one processing plant, and five butcher shops selling whole or cut lamb carcasses to consumers was assessed with a previously developed microbial assessment scheme. All studied establishments had a food safety management system (FSMS) that was implemented according to legislative requirements. Microbial safety level profiles were constructed for each establishment and provided clear indications of which pathogens, hygiene indicators, or utility parameters required attention to improve the performance of the microbiological control protocols of the implemented FSMS. The highest contamination was found in the slaughterhouses in samples taken from the meat products (aerobic mesophilic plate counts [AMPs] of 3.40 to 6.63 log CFU/cm2 and Enterobacteriaceae counts of 1.00 to 4.62 log CFU/cm2), contact surfaces (AMPs of 2.44 to 8.92 log CFU/cm2), and operators' hands and/or gloves (AMPs of 2.84 to 8.09 log CFU/cm2), especially after hide removal and evisceration. The microbial assessment scheme is a useful tool for providing insight into the actual microbiological results achieved with an FSMS implemented in establishments at various stages along the lamb production chain.
Fate of Shiga Toxin–Producing O157:H7 and Non-O157:H7 Escherichia coli Cells within Blade-Tenderized Beef Steaks after Cooking on a Commercial Open-Flame Gas Grill†
Authors: LUCHANSKY JOHN B. , PORTO-FETT ANNA C. S. , SHOYER BRADLEY A. , CALL JEFFREY E. , SCHLOSSER WAYNE , SHAW WILLIAM , BAUER NATHAN , LATIMER HEEJEONG
Published: December 2011

We compared the fate of cells of both Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ECOH) and Shiga toxin–producing non-O157:H7 E. coli (STEC) in blade-tenderized steaks after tenderization and cooking on a gas grill. In phase I, beef subprimal cuts were inoculated on the lean side with about 5.5 log CFU/g of a five-strain mixture of ECOH or STEC and then passed once through a mechanical blade tenderizer with the lean side facing up. In each of two trials, 10 core samples were removed from each of two tenderized subprimals and cut into six consecutive segments starting from the inoculated side. Ten total cores also were obtained from two nontenderized (control) subprimals, but only segment 1 (the topmost segment) was sampled. The levels of ECOH and STEC recovered from segment 1 were about 6.0 and 5.3 log CFU/g, respectively, for the control subprimals and about 5.7 and 5.0 log CFU/g, respectively, for the tenderized subprimals. However, both ECOH and STEC behaved similarly in terms of translocation, and cells of both pathogen cocktails were recovered from all six segments of the cores obtained from tenderized subprimals, albeit at lower levels in segments 2 to 6 than those found in segment 1. In phase II, steaks (2.54 and 3.81 cm thick) cut from tenderized subprimals were subsequently cooked (three steaks per treatment) on a commercial open-flame gas grill to internal temperatures of 48.9, 54.4, 60.0, 65.6, and 71.1°C. Regardless of temperature or thickness, we observed 2.0- to 4.1-log and 1.5- to 4.5-log reductions in ECOH and STEC levels, respectively. Both ECOH and STEC behaved similarly in response to heat, in that cooking eliminated significant numbers of both pathogen types; however, some survivors were recovered due, presumably, to uneven heating of the blade-tenderized steaks.
Effect of High Hydrostatic Pressure and Pressure Cycling on a Pathogenic Salmonella enterica Serovar Cocktail Inoculated into Creamy Peanut Butter
Authors: D'SOUZA TANYA , KARWE MUKUND , SCHAFFNER DONALD W.
Published: December 2011

The ability of Salmonella enterica serovars to survive in high fat content, low water activity foods like peanut butter has been demonstrated by large foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years. This study investigates the potential of high hydrostatic pressure processing, including pressure cycling, to inactivate Salmonella inoculated into creamy peanut butter. A cocktail of pathogenic strains of Salmonella Enteritidis PT30, Salmonella Tennessee, Salmonella Oranienburg, Salmonella Anatum, Salmonella Enteritidis PT 9c, and Salmonella Montevideo obtained from peanut butter– and nut-related outbreaks was inoculated (106 to 107 CFU/g) into creamy peanut butter and high pressure processed under five different sets of conditions, which varied from 400 to 600 MPa and from 4 to 18 min. The log CFU reductions achieved varied from 1.6 to 1.9. Control experiments in which Salmonella was inoculated (109 CFU/g) into 0.1% peptone buffer and high pressure processed at 600 MPa for 18 min showed inactivation to below the detection limit of 100 CFU/g, confirming that high pressure processing is effective at destroying Salmonella in high-moisture environments. Pressure cycling under three sets of conditions consisting of pressures from 400 to 600 MPa, 3 to 10 pressure cycles, and hold times of 6 min for each cycle showed reductions similar to those seen in noncycling experiments. The results of our experiments suggest that the peanut butter food matrix facilitates the survival of Salmonella when exposed to high hydrostatic pressure processing.
Soil Solarization Reduces Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Total Escherichia coli on Cattle Feedlot Pen Surfaces†
Authors: BERRY ELAINE D. , WELLS JAMES E.
Published: December 2011

Feedlot pen soil is a source for transmission of Escherichia coli O157:H7, and therefore a target for preharvest strategies to reduce this pathogen in cattle. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of soil solarization to reduce E. coli O157:H7 in feedlot surface material (FSM). A feedlot pen was identified in which naturally occurring E. coli O157:H7 was prevalent and evenly distributed in the FSM. Forty plots 3 by 3 m were randomly assigned such that five plots of each of the solarization times of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks were examined. Temperature loggers were placed 7.5 cm below the surface of each plot, and plots to be solarized were covered with clear 6-mil polyethylene. At each sampling time, five FSM samples were collected from each of five solarized and five unsolarized plots. E. coli concentrations and E. coli O157:H7 presence by immunomagnetic separation and plating were determined for each FSM sample. Initial percentages of E. coli O157:H7–positive samples in control and solarized FSM were 84 and 80%, respectively, and did not differ (P > 0.05). E. coli O157:H7 was no longer detectable by 8 weeks of solarization, but was still detected in unsolarized FSM at 10 weeks. The average initial concentration of E. coli in FSM was 5.56 log CFU/g and did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). There was a 2.0-log decrease of E. coli after 1 week of solarization, and a >3.0-log reduction of E. coli by week 6 of solarization (P < 0.05). E. coli levels remained unchanged in unsolarized FSM (P > 0.05). Daily peak FSM temperatures were on average 8.7°C higher for solarized FSM compared with unsolarized FSM, and reached temperatures as high as 57°C. Because soil solarization reduces E. coli O157:H7, this technique may be useful for reduction of persistence and transmission of this pathogen in cattle production, in addition to remediation of E. coli O157:H7–contaminated soil used to grow food crops.
Food Protective Effects of Periploca sepium Oil and Its Active Component against Stored Food Mites
Authors: JEONG EUN-YOUNG , CHO KYOUNG-SHIK , LEE HOI-SEON
Published: December 2011

The aim of this study was to examine the acaricidal activity of Periploca sepium oil and its active component against Tyrophagus putrescentiae. Based on its 50% lethal dose (LD50) value, P. sepium oil (8.45 μg/cm2) was highly active against T. putrescentiae. The active constituent of P. sepium was isolated by chromatographic techniques and identified as 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde. In the comparison with synthetic acaricides, the acaricidal activity of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (0.94 μg/cm2) against T. putrescentiae was 12.2- and 31.2-fold greater than those of benzyl benzoate (11.45 μg/cm2) and N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (29.33 μg/cm2), respectively. To establish structure-activity relationships, the acaricidal activities of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde and its derivatives against T. putrescentiae were determined by using an impregnated fabric disk bioassay. On the basis of LD50 values, 4-methoxybenzaldehyde (0.48 μg/cm2) was the most effective against T. putrescentiae, followed by 3-methoxybenzaldehyde (0.82 μg/cm2), 2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzaldehyde (0.92 μg/cm2), 2-methoxybenzaldehyde (0.95 μg/cm2), 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (0.97 μg/cm2), and 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (2.35 μg/cm2). These results indicate that the introduction of a hydroxyl and/or methoxy group into the benzaldehyde skeleton increased the acaricidal activity. Therefore, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde and its derivatives could potentially be used as potent mite control agents.
Monitoring of Shrimp and Farmed Fish Sold in Canada for Cyanobacterial Toxins
Authors: NIEDZWIADEK BARBARA , SCOTT PETER M. , LAU BEN P.-Y.
Published: December 2011

Sixty-one samples of shrimp and 32 samples of farmed fish collected from retail markets across Canada were analyzed for cyanobacterial toxins, including microcystins, paralytic shellfish poisons (saxitoxins), cylindrospermopsin, and β-N-methylamino-l-alanine, using established methods of analysis. None of these toxins were detected in any of the samples. Some shrimp samples screened for paralytic shellfish poisons showed the presence of unknown peaks in the chromatogram after periodate oxidation.
Quantification of Campylobacter in Swine before, during, and after the Slaughter Process
Authors: ABLEY M. J. , WITTUM T. E. , MOELLER S. J. , ZERBY H. N. , FUNK J. A.
Published: December 2011

Campylobacter has been implicated as a major cause of foodborne illness worldwide. Pigs can be subclinically infected, and fecal contamination of meat during slaughter is a food safety risk. The objective of this study was to determine the association between the concentration of Campylobacter pre- and periharvest with postharvest contamination in swine. Samples were collected from 100 individually identified swine during the pre-, peri-, and postharvest periods. For each animal, the following phases were sampled: on farm (fecal sample), in lairage (hide swab), post-stunning and exsanguination (rectal contents), prechilling (carcass swab), and final product (rib meat) sample. The proportions of samples that were Campylobacter positive were 90, 95, 76, 100, and 49% for fecal, rectal content, hide, carcass, and rib meat samples, respectively. The mean Campylobacter concentrations for each sample were fecal sample, 1.7 × 106 CFU/g; rectal content, 1.2 × 107 CFU/g; hide swab, 1.4 CFU/cm2; carcass swab, 1.7 × 103 CFU per half carcass; and rib meat, 18 CFU/g. There was a positive correlation between Campylobacter concentrations in fecal samples (R = 0.20, P = 0.065) and concentration of Campylobacter on rib meat, and between rectal content sample concentration (R = 0.20, P = 0.068) and the concentration on rib meat. There was no association between the isolation of Campylobacter on rib meat and the isolation of Campylobacter at any pre- or periharvest stage. This could indicate that the risk of a meat product being contaminated is associated with pigs that shed higher concentrations of Campylobacter before slaughter.
Method development for arsenic analysis by modification in spectrophotometric technique
Authors: Tahir M. A. , Rasheed H. , Malana A.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. Arsenic is a non-metallic constituent, present naturally in groundwater due to some minerals and rocks. Arsenic is not geologically uncommon and occurs in natural water as arsenate and arsenite. Additionally, arsenic may occur from industrial discharges or insecticide application. World Health Organization (WHO) and Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority have recommended a permissible limit of 10 ppb for arsenic in drinking water. Arsenic at lower concentrations can be determined in water by using high tech instruments like the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (hydride generation). Because arsenic concentration at low limits of 1 ppb can not be determined easily with simple spectrophotometric technique, the spectrophotometric technique using silver diethyldithiocarbamate was modified to achieve better results, up to the extent of 1 ppb arsenic concentration.
Factors Associated with Anxiety and Depression among African American and White Women
Authors: Watson Kalycia Trishana , Roberts Nehezi M. , Saunders Milda R.
Published: January 2012

Background. We examined factors associated with depression and anxiety in a cohort of low-income Baltimore women. Methods. We used Pathways to Adulthood data, a cohort of adults aged 27 to 33 who were born in Baltimore between 1960 and 1965. Our outcomes were a score of >4 on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) across the depression or anxiety domains. Linear regression clustered on census tract was used for multivariate analysis. Results. In multivariable analyses, unmarried women, White women, those with lower self-rated health, and younger mothers had higher depression scores. Only lower self-rated health and White race were associated with a higher anxiety score. Neither neighborhood poverty nor racial composition was a predictor for anxiety or depression; however, the significant risk factors cluster in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Conclusion. Our work highlights the importance of universal screening for depression or anxiety with more in-depth surveillance based on risk factors rather than on race.
Health behaviors and occupational stress of Brazilian civil servants living in an urban center
Authors: Goston Janaina Lavalli , Caiaffa Waleska Teixeira , de Souza Andrade Amanda Cristina , Vlahov David
Published: January 2012

Background

Occupational stress and unhealthy lifestyles are common characteristics of urban workers. The association between health behaviors and job stress of urban Brazilian civil servants was studied.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study included 893 workers. Health markers, the dependent variables, were: Fruit/vegetable (FV) and alcohol (A) intake, physical activity (PA), including at work (PAW), smoking (S), BMI ≥ 25 Kg/m2. Occupational stress, assessed by Job Stress Scale‐Brazilian version, classified employees into: High‐strain, Low‐strain, Active, and Passive. Prevalence rates and multivariate Poisson models were adopted.

Results

On average, employees (mean age = 40.2 years; 69.1% female) reported healthy lifestyle factors: FV (56%); PA (59.7%); S (13.3%); however, 49.4% were overweight. Compared to low‐strain, high‐strain workers reported higher PAW; passive workers lesser PA and higher PAW. After adjusting for socio‐demographics and work characteristics, the occupational stress dimensions were no longer associated to health behaviors.

Conclusions

Our results do not support the hypothesis of an effect for occupational stress on urban employees' health behaviors. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:49–57, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical improvement of the aggressive neurobehavioral phenotype in a patient with a deletion of PITX3 and the absence of L‐DOPA in the cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Derwińska Katarzyna , Mierzewska Hanna , Goszczańska Alicja , Szczepanik Elżbieta , Xia Zhilian , Kuśmierska Katarzyna , Tryfon Jolanta , Kutkowska‐Kaźmierczak Anna , Bocian Ewa , Mazurczak Tadeusz , Obersztyn Ewa , Stankiewicz Paweł
Published: January 2012

The development of midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons is regulated by several transcription factors, including Nurr1, Wnt1, Lmx1a/1b, En1, En2, Foxa1, Foxa2, and Pitx3. PITX3 is an upstream co‐activator of the TH (tyrosine hydroxylase) promoter. Pitx3‐/‐ mice have a selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area, leading to the significantly reduced DA levels in the nigrostriatal pathway and in the dorsal striatum and manifest anomalous striatum‐dependent cognitive impairment and neurobehavioral activity. Treatment with L‐DOPA, dopamine, or dopamine receptor agonists in these mice reversed several of their sensorimotor impairments. Heterozygous missense mutations in PITX3 have been reported in patients with autosomal dominant congenital cataract and anterior segment (ocular) mesenchymal dysgenesis (ASMD) whereas homozygous missense mutations have been found in patients with microphthalmia and neurological impairment. Using a clinical oligonucleotide array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), we have identified an ∼317 kb hemizygous deletion in 10q24.32, involving PITX3 in a 17‐year‐old male with a Smith–Magenis syndrome‐like phenotype, including mild intellectual impairment, sleep disturbance, hyperactivity, and aggressive and self‐destructive behavior. Interestingly, no eye anomalies were found in our patient. Analysis of neurotransmitters in his cerebrospinal fluid revealed an absence of L‐DOPA and significantly decreased levels of catecholamine metabolites. Importantly, L‐DOPA treatment of our patient has led to mild mitigation of his aggressive behavior and mild improvement of his attention span, extended time periods of concentration, and better sleep. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Formation of polypropylene/stearic acid fibers
Authors: Binias D. , Binias W. , Broda J.
Published: December 2011

Polypropylene/stearic acid fibers were produced in laboratory conditions from hot homogenous blends. After formation, as‐spun fibers were treated in potassium hydroxide and rinsed in water. Supermolecular structure and morphology of fibers were investigated by wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, FTIR, and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) methods. It was stated that by fibers' formation, thermally induced phase separation takes place. Polypropylene starts to crystallize, while liquid stearic acid is expelled out and forms drops wrapped in polymer matrix. As a result of the crystallization inside fibers the structure with high content of mesophase is formed. During crystallization, interactions between stearic acid and polypropylene are observed. As a result of alkali treatment and rinsing, drops of stearic acid are partially removed. After removal of the stearic acid from the fibers, the porous structure is formed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Gel polymer electrolyte with semi‐IPN fabric for polymer lithium‐ion battery
Authors: Li Wei‐Li , Gao Yan‐Ming , Wang Shao‐Ming
Published: December 2011

A new type of semi‐IPN gel electrolyte was prepared by thermal polymerization in this article. At first, the crosslinkable PEG200 (MXPEG) was prepared by condensation reaction, then the crosslinkable components were blent with PMMA and heated under vacuum to form polymer blends with semi‐IPN fabric. Differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy were used to investigate the thermal properties and crystalline/amorphous structure of the prepared polymer blends. With semi‐IPN fabric, they present amorphous absolutely. For semi‐IPN gel electrolyte, the mechanical and the electrochemical properties are varied with the quantity of absorbed liquid electrolyte. Ion‐conductivity behavior for semi‐IPN gel electrolyte measured by means of AC impedance spectrum showed that the best data was 1.62 × 10−3S cm−1 at room temperature, and Arrhenius‐type relationship was obeyed in the temperature dependence of ionic conductivity. In addition, the electrochemical stability window of the semi‐IPN gel electrolyte was 4.6 V. All the properties showed that the prepared semi‐IPN gel electrolyte was expected to have applications of electrolyte for lithium‐ion polymer secondary batteries. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Vulcanization kinetics of butyl rubber–clay nanocomposites and its dependence on clay microstructure
Authors: Sepehri A. , Razzaghi‐Kashani M. , Ghoreishy M. H. R.
Published: December 2011

Properties of rubber articles are very much influenced by their vulcanization characteristics. Vulcanization kinetics of isobutylene isoprene rubber (IIR) or butyl rubber, filled with three organically modified montmorillonites, having different degrees of hydrophilic nature, was investigated by oscillating disc rheometer (ODR). Microstructures of the nanocomposites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), gas permeation, and uniaxial tension. It was shown that structure of clay ranged from moderately or highly intercalated to agglomerated structure for different organoclays. Microstructure of nanocomposites was used to explain opposite trends observed in vulcanization kinetics of them. It was shown that not only the chemical nature of the clay modifier, but also physical effects such as diffusion of vulcanizing agents in butyl rubber, limited by filler network, can alter vulcanization kinetics of this rubber. For less hydrophilic organoclays, dispersion is better, and formation of filler network structure limits diffusion and accessibility of curing agents to vulcanization sites. Two empirical models of Isayev and Ghoreishy were also employed and compared in explaining the results quantitatively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Optical expandometry: A technique to analyze the expansion kinetics of chemically blown thermoplastic foams
Authors: Solórzano Eusebio , Antunes Marcelo , Saiz‐Arroyo Cristina , Rodríguez‐Pérez Miguel A. , Velasco José I. , de Saja José A.
Published: December 2011

A novel technique to determine in situ the free expansion kinetics of chemically foamed thermoplastic foams, so‐called optical expandometry, is presented in this work. This technique is based on the camera monitoring of a free‐foaming material placed inside a furnace. Images are acquired under special illumination conditions to facilitate the later image processing. The present article explains the experimental set‐up and the image processing methods used to determine the free volumetric expansion of different polyolefin‐based foams. The results are compared with those obtained using thermo‐mechanical analysis. In addition, several possible applications of this method are detailed, such as studying the effect of polymer rheology, foaming temperature, blowing agent content and the anisotropy of the expansion. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Cure kinetics studies of cyanate ester and bisphenol‐F epoxy blend
Authors: Brahmbhatt Priyanka , Unnikrishnan Jisha , Sudha J. D. , Pradhan Subrata
Published: December 2011

Cyanate ester and Bisphenol‐F blends with manganese acetylacetonate in nonylphenol as catalyst and cocatalysts respectively is an attractive candidate as the insulation impregnation materials for fusion grade magnets winding packs that is required to be operating in moderate irradiated environments in fusion devices like Tokamaks. The curing kinetics of this blend system as a thermosetting polymer has been investigated in this paper in detail for 60 : 40 (epoxy:ester) composition strongly driven from application interests. The order of reactions in both chemical kinetics controlled region as well as diffusion controlled regimes have been experimentally found out using Differential Scanning Calorimetric (DSC) studies. Corresponding rate constants and associated cure kinetics have been consequently determined. The second order kinetic model, as it is found, does not fit in to the epoxy‐cyanate ester reaction mechanism. The results, therefore, have been discussed in the context of widely used autocatalytic models and variable “n” kinetics models appropriate for chemical controlled region. The reaction conversion rate dα/dt of the cyanate ester‐epoxy blend is more rapid in chemical controlled regime compared to that in the diffusion controlled regime. The order of reaction is not constant throughout the reaction and is higher in chemical controlled regime. The variable “n” kinetic model has been employed to determine the hypothetical temperature (350.81 K) below which no more curing reaction would occur. The activation energy and the pre‐exponential factors have been determined in the chemical controlled regime using Arrhenius reaction. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Study on the self‐crosslinking behavior based on polychloroprene rubber and epoxidized natural rubber
Authors: Zhang Peng , Huang Guangsu , Qu Liangliang , Nie Yijing , Weng Gengsheng
Published: December 2011

This work has studied the impact of curing temperature and rubber compositions on the self‐crosslinking behavior of the polychloroprene rubber (CR) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) blend. Variation of the temperature and blending ratios, rheological results have shown a better crosslinking result at 160°C with the optimum CR ratio at 75%. Then, Arrhenius equation was applied to verify the crosslinking kinetic and first‐order kinetics has been verified. The chemical reaction routes proposed by differential scanning calorimetry have also been analyzed. Moreover, dynamic mechanical analysis and field emission scanning electron micrographs combined with energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis were done to evaluate the phase compatibility. Based on the experimental results, a proposal “cross‐promotion” reaction is drawn to conclude the self‐crosslinking of CR and ENR. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Nylon 6/clay nanocomposite filaments and their cords
Authors: Joshi M. , Biswas D. , Sarvanan A. , Purwar Roli , Mukhopadhaya R.
Published: December 2011

The present study focuses on the preparation and characterization of nylon 6/clay nanocomposite filaments and their cords. Two different organo modified clays: the ditallodimethyl ammonium salt with bentonite clay (Claytone HY), a commercially available clay from M/S Southern Clay products, USA and silane modified montmorillonite clay (Silane‐MMT), synthesized in the laboratory were used to prepare nylon 6/clay nanocomposite filaments. The nanocomposite filaments were tested for tensile and creep properties and compared with nylon 6/sodium montmorillonite (Na‐MMT) nanocomposite filaments as well as neat nylon 6 filaments. The clay dispersion within the nanocomposite filaments was analyzed by using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The creep resistant property of all the nanocomposite filaments showed 10–19% improvement over the neat nylon filament. However, there is a marginal improvement in tenacity in case of nylon 6/silane MMT nanocomposite filament as compared to the neat nylon filament. All the nylon 6/clay nanocomposite filaments were converted into the cords and tested for various tire cord related properties such as tensile strength, rubber to cord adhesion, and fatigue resistance. The nanocomposite cords showed a significant improvement in tensile property (7–21%) as well as cord to rubber adhesion strength (34–55%) over the neat nylon cords, however, the fatigue resistance was inferior in case of nanocomposite cords. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Investigation the effect of various loads of organically modified montmorillonite on dyeing properties of polypropylene nanocomposites
Authors: Ataeefard Maryam , Moradian Siamak
Published: December 2011

Polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites having five different loadings of an organically modified montmorillonite, mineral clay was prepared by a melt mixing technique. The resultant PP nanocomposites were then uniformly dyed using three distinct disperse dyestuffs each at three concentrations. The enhanced dyeability of PP nanocomposite was characterized by spectrophotometric measurements. Good wash fastnesses were obtained after subjection of dyeing to a reduction clear process. It was found that increasing the clay content had a significant effect on dye uptake. Tensile strength tests showed improvements in mechanical properties. Degree of crystallinity of nanocomposites at various nanoclay loadings were investigated using differential scanning calorimeter. Surface behaviors of the resultant nanocomposites as well as the extent of exfoliation and dispersion of the nanoclay particles in PP were studied by various analytical techniques such as polarized optical microscope, X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy analytical techniques. These showed intercalate/exfoliate structures in the resultant nanocomposites. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012