Characterization of Actinobacteria strains in Lebanese soil with an emphasis on investigating their antibacterial activity.

With the alarming rise of drug resistant pathogens, the quest for new bioactive compounds from natural habitats has increased. Actinobacteria are Gram-positive bacteria, considered prominent natural antibiotic synthesizers. This study aimed at isolating Actinobacteria from agricultural soil samples of Tamnine El Tahta and Haddatha, with an emphasis on the physicochemical soil characteristics. It also aimed at screening and identifying the antibacterial-producing Actinobacteria, with a determination of the chemical composition of the extract. Forty-six Actinobacteria were isolated from six soil samples. Actinobacteria load exhibited a positive correlation with moisture content, and a negative correlation with pH, salinity, and organic matter content. Primary screening for antibacterial activity was performed against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by cross-streak method. Fourteen Actinobacteria isolates were potent against the test microorganisms, and the most effective isolate (T25) was selected for identification, and extract preparation. The antibacterial activity of the extract was tested using secondary screening, in addition to minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) determination. T25 isolate exhibited a 92% similarity with Micrococcus luteus/lylae. MIC recorded was 12.5 mg/ml and the MBC was higher than 100 mg/ml against all test microorganisms. Total phenol content was estimated to be 18.5 ± 0.0015 mg GAE/g dry weight using Folin-Ciocalteu method, and total flavonoid content recorded 2.3 ± 0.02 mg RE/g dry weight using aluminum nitrate colorimetric method. This study revealed that the physicochemical parameters in soils impact the distribution of Actinobacteria. Moreover, it focuses on Micrococcus luteus/lylae strain, considered a promising antibacterial resource for further potential clinical investigations.

Ajyal Salima a novel public-private partnership model for childhood obesity prevention in the Arab countries.

The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity among children is on the rise around the world. Meanwhile, comprehensive multi-sectorial approaches have been found to be effective in improving nutritional status among children. Ajyal Salima is a public-private partnership (PPP) school-based nutrition and physical activity intervention program implemented in six Arab countries. Its objective is to promote healthy eating and physical activity habits among 9-11-year-old students. The stakeholders, involved with the implementation of the program, comprised (1) local authorities, ministries of Education and Health, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as public partners, (2) The American University of Beirut (AUB) as the academic/regional scientific partner, and (3) Nestlé as the private partner. The Ajyal Salima program encompasses four coordinated educational components: classroom sessions, family involvement, food service intervention, and training of trainers. The program's educational material has been culturally adapted to each country's needs, as well as pilot tested. This paper describes the strategies used to build the PPP framework of Ajyal Salima, and the role of each stakeholder. The Ajyal Salima program is an example of a promising and sustainable comprehensive PPP program to address childhood obesity, that can be exported to other countries in the region and globally.