Molecular characterization of Escherichia coli O157:H7 hide contamination routes: feedlot to harvest.

This study was conducted to identify the origin of Escherichia coli O157:H7 contamination on steer hides at the time of harvest. Samples were collected from the feedlot, transport trailers, and packing plant holding pens and from the colons and hides of feedlot steers. A total of 50 hide samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7 in two geographical locations: the Midwest (25 positive hides) and Southwest (25 positive hides). Hide samples were screened, and the presence of E. coli O157: H7 was confirmed. E. coli O157:H7 isolates were fingerprinted by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and subjected to multiplex PCR procedures for amplification of E. coli O157:H7 genes stx1, stx2, eaeA, fliC, rfbEO157, and hlyA. Feedlot water trough, pen floor, feed bunk, loading chute, truck trailer side wall and floor, packing plant holding pen floor and side rail, and packing plant cattle drinking water samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis banding patterns were analyzed after classifying isolates according to the marker genes present and according to packing plant. In this study, hide samples positive for E. coli O157:H7 were traced to other E. coli O157:H7-positive hide, colon, feedlot pen floor fecal, packing plant holding pen drinking water, and transport trailer side wall samples. Links were found between packing plant side rails, feedlot loading chutes, and feedlot pens and between truck trailer, different feedlots, and colons of multiple cattle. This study is the first in which genotypic matches have been made between E. coli O157:H7 isolates obtained from transport trailer side walls and those from cattle hide samples within the packing plant.

Public attitudes towards treatment of depression: effects of an information campaign.

In 2000 and 2001, telephone surveys in the German cities Nuremberg and Wurzburg were carried out to gain insights into beliefs and attitudes of the public towards depression and its treatment and to evaluate the activities of the "Nuremberg Alliance Against Depression", a joint effort of health professionals, aiming at the improvement of the situation of people in Nuremberg suffering from depression. In 2000, most people considered depression a serious illness that can be treated fairly well by a professional. Concerning the proper means for this, we found that the well-known bad reputation of psychotropic drugs still prevails. Since 2001 a prominent part of the activities of the Nuremberg Alliance is a citywide campaign informing the public about causes and treatment of depression. Although the campaign had been performed for only 10 months, slight to moderate effects concerning causes and treatment of depression were observed in both cities. However, no effects were found with respect to the misconceptions about pharmacotherapy.

[Knowledge and attitude of the general public regarding symptoms, etiology and possible treatments of depressive illnesses]. / Wissensstand und Einstellungen der Allgemeinbevölkerung zu Symptomen, Ursachen und Behandlungsmöglichkeiten depressiver Erkrankungen.

Within the German research network on depression, the Nuremberg Alliance against Depression aims at informing the public about depressive illness and preventing suicidality by carrying out a city-wide information campaign. Before the prevention program started, public attitudes and knowledge had been assessed in a public opinion survey in Nuremberg and in a control region. A total of 1426 randomly chosen inhabitants of Nuremberg and Würzburg completed a computer-assisted telephone interview during November and December 2000. They were asked about their knowledge and attitudes towards symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression. No relevant differences between Nuremberg and Würzburg were found. Depression is regarded as a serious illness. People seemed to be more knowledgeable as compared to the results of earlier surveys, but there are still important information deficits. This is especially true for males over 60, who show unfavorable attitudes. Eighty percent of the population consider antidepressants to be addictive, and 69% were convinced that the use of antidepressants would lead to personality changes. Future information campaigns should aim at describing depression as an often chronic disease similar to hypertonia or diabetes. Public knowledge about antidepressants must be improved.

[Mystery of mydriatic pupils]. / Záhada mydriatických zornic.

The authors describe the case of a 27-year-old man who was examined on account of vertigo and blurred vision. In the objective case-history there was mild confusion, in the physical examination broad symmetrical mydriasis dominated. Later other similar patients were found. Atropine intoxication was proved. The source of the alkaloid was poppy seed contaminated with seeds of henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), in bakery goods served in the works canteen.