Antibiofilm mechanism of peppermint essential oil to avert biofilm developed by foodborne and food spoilage pathogens on food contact surfaces.

Establishing efficient methods to combat bacterial biofilms is a major concern. Natural compounds, such as essential oils derived from plants, are among the favored and recommended strategies for combatting bacteria and their biofilm. Therefore, we evaluated the antibiofilm properties of peppermint oil as well as the activities by which it kills bacteria generally and particularly their biofilms. Peppermint oil antagonistic activities were investigated against Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella Typhimurium on four food contact surfaces (stainless steel, rubber, high-density polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate). Biofilm formation on each studied surface, hydrophobicity, autoaggregation, metabolic activity, and adenosine triphosphate quantification were evaluated for each bacterium in the presence and absence (control) of peppermint oil. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy were utilized to analyze the effects of peppermint oil treatment on the bacteria and their biofilm. Results showed that peppermint oil (1/2× minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC], MIC, and 2× MIC) substantially lessened biofilm formation, with high bactericidal properties. A minimum of 2.5-log to a maximum of around 5-log reduction was attained, with the highest sensitivity shown by V. parahaemolyticus. Morphological experiments revealed degradation of the biofilm structure, followed by some dead cells with broken membranes. Thus, this study established the possibility of using peppermint oil to combat key foodborne and food spoilage pathogens in the food processing environment.

Growth characterization of Propionibacterium and propionic acid production capabilities at different temperatures and pH levels.

Bacteria from the Propionibacterium genus were cocktailed to investigate growth and production of propionic acid at different temperatures and pH levels. A gas chromatograph with a flame ionization detector was also used for instrumental analysis. The Propionibacterium cocktails did not produce propionic acid at 10 and 20 °C for 10 days, but produced propionic acid at concentrations of 3265.32, 3670.76, and 1926.04 µg/mL at 25, 30, and 40 °C for 18 days, respectively. In pH tests, the cocktails did not produce propionic acid at pH 3 and 9 for 14 and 7 days, respectively. However, they produced propionic acid at concentrations of 2596.66, 2952.66, 3321.35, and 3586.95 µg/mL at pH 4, 5, 6, and 7 for 18 days, respectively. Growth characteristics of Propionibacterium cocktails by temperature and pH were set so that they reached the extinction stage after four days in the logarithmic phase.

Isolation and characterization of Salmonella spp. from food and food contact surfaces in a chicken processing factory.

The presence of Salmonella serotypes is a major safety concern of the food industry and poultry farmers. This study aimed to isolate and identify Salmonella spp. from a chicken processing facility by PCR and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). In addition, the biofilm-forming abilities of the isolated bacteria on stainless steel, silicone rubber, plastic, and chicken skin were also investigated. PCR was used for the confirmation of Salmonella serotypes, and then gene similarity within the same serotype was analyzed by PFGE. As a result, 26 S. Enteritidis isolates were detected at a high rate from both food contact surfaces and chicken products during processing. All of them were 100% genetically identical to the same bacteria. The results indicated that the virulence factors and effective biofilm-forming ability of S. Enteritidis isolates could affect human health and economic revenue. It was also suggested that the visual observation of food and food contact surfaces could be a great concern in the future. The continuous monitoring of S. Enteritidis molecular and biofilm characteristics is needed to increase food safety.

Change of Chondral Lesions and Predictive Factors After Medial Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy With a Locked Plate System.

BACKGROUND: Although cartilage regeneration after medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) has been described, there is a paucity of reports regarding which factors influence cartilage regeneration. PURPOSE: To document whether cartilage regeneration occurs in the previously degenerated medial compartment of arthritic knees after medial open-wedge HTO without concomitant cartilage procedures and to assess which predictive factors influence regeneration after HTO. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4 Methods: From February 2008 to January 2014, 104 consecutive knees were enrolled retrospectively that received medial open-wedge HTO with a medial locked plate system without any additional cartilage regeneration procedures and were followed by second-look arthroscopy for plate removal 2 years after surgery. The mean ± SD age at the time of index HTO was 56.3 ± 5.4 years. Cartilage status was graded at the time of initial HTO and second-look arthroscopy according to the International Cartilage Repair Society grading system, and regenerated articular cartilage was classified by the macroscopic staging system of Koshino et al at the time of second-look arthroscopy. Variables evaluated for possible association with regeneration of articular cartilage included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), American Knee Society score, mechanical tibiofemoral angle, medial proximal tibial angle, amount of correction angle, and degree of arthritis. RESULTS: Per the International Cartilage Repair Society grading system, the lesions in the medial femoral condyle and the medial tibial plateau were improved in 54 knees (51.9%) and 36 knees (34.6%), respectively, at the time of second-look arthroscopy. According to the macroscopic grading system, partial and total regeneration of articular cartilage in the medial femoral condyle and the medial tibial plateau was observed in 75 knees (72%) and 57 knees (55%), respectively. Based on univariable logistic regression tests, regeneration of articular cartilage was associated with a smaller mean preoperative varus mechanical tibiofemoral angle (odds ratio [OR], 0.7; P = .023) and lower BMI (OR, 0.8; P = .026) for the medial femoral condyle and younger age (OR, 0.9; P = .048) and a larger mean correction angle (OR, 1.1; P = .023) for the medial tibial plateau. The mean preoperative knee and function scores were significantly improved at the last follow-up, but no correlation was found between the clinical outcomes and cartilage regeneration. Multiple logistic regression analysis for regeneration of articular cartilage showed lower BMI (OR, 0.7; P = .015) to be a significant predictor for the medial femoral condyle. CONCLUSION: Regeneration of degenerated articular cartilage in the medial compartment can be expected while correcting a varus deformity in arthritic knees after medial open-wedge HTO with a locked plate system without any additional cartilage regeneration procedures. Moreover, we suggest that medial open-wedge HTO in the medial arthritic knee with varus malalignment should be highly successful in terms of cartilage regeneration, especially for lower BMI patients.

Is Single-Radius Design Better for Quadriceps Recovery in Total Knee Arthroplasty?

PURPOSE: Although single-radius (SR) designs have a theoretical advantage in quadriceps recovery following total knee arthroplasty (TKA), there has been a paucity of objective evaluation studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty minimally invasive TKAs were prospectively randomized by a single surgeon into 2 groups: SR design TKA group and multi-radius design TKA group. Quadriceps force and power were assessed using a dynamometer, and clinical data were investigated preoperatively and 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no differences between two groups in quadriceps recovery and clinical results throughout the follow-up period. Furthermore, the proportion of patients whose postoperative quadriceps force and power reached preoperative level was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Femoral component design itself would not significantly influence quadriceps recovery after TKA.

Treatment of Schatzker Type V and VI Tibial Plateau Fractures Using a Midline Longitudinal Incision and Dual Plating.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of the treatment of Schatzker type V and VI tibial plateau fractures using a midline longitudinal incision and dual-plate fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with Schatzker type V and VI tibial plateau fractures treated with a midline longitudinal incision and dual plating were analyzed. The patients were followed for a minimum of one year. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using range of motion, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Knee Society Score. Radiological outcomes were evaluated using the bony union time, medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and posterior proximal tibial angle (PPTA). RESULTS: The mean VAS score was 2.2 points, and the mean Knee Society function score was 85 points at the final follow-up. The mean flexion contracture was 2.5° and the mean further flexion was 125°. It took an average of 4 months until bony union occurred. The mean MPTA and PPTA were 90.5° and 4.4°, respectively. There was one case of delayed wound healing, but no other complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of Schatzker type V and VI tibial plateau fractures with a midline longitudinal incision and dual-plate fixation resulted in satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes. This can be an option when treating Schatzker type V and VI tibial plateau fractures.