Food safety control in poultry industry: prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli isolated from raw chicken and the potential use of Origanum essential oils as alternative to antibiotics.

1. The extensive use of antimicrobials in poultry production may contribute to the emergence of resistant bacteria. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and resistance of different E. coli strains isolated from raw chicken meat and to investigate the possibility to use Lebanese native oregano essential oils as alternatives.2. In total, 250 chickens from Lebanese markets were examined for the presence of E. coli. Isolates were then screened for susceptibility using 19 antibiotics and two essential oils extracted from oregano plants.3. Of the 250 chickens tested, 80% were contaminated with E. coli. Main resistance was seen against amoxycillin, ampicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, tylosin, streptomycin and erythromycin. The highest rate of sensitivity was found in 86.1% of strains to Amoxycillin/Clavulanic acid, 80.09% to Tilmicosin. Both essential oils from Origanum syriacum (98%) and O. ehrenbergii (97.3%) showed promising potential in inhibiting the growth of the tested bacteria. Oil from O. syriacum exhibited superior efficacy against 200 E. coli strains, inhibiting 46.1% at 200 mg/l and all at 400 mg/l, while O. ehrenbergii oil showed slightly lower inhibition, affecting 41.6% at 200 mg/l and all at 400 mg/l.

Positive and negative correlates of suicidal ideations and behaviors in the emergency department of a university hospital in Beirut: A cross-sectional comparative study.

This study aims to identify the prevalence and correlates of current suicidal ideations and past suicidal behaviors among psychiatric emergencies. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted using the Ask Suicide Screening Questions (ASQ) as a screening tool that targeted all patients presenting for a psychiatric emergency in a university hospital in Beirut during a four-month period. One hundred and three patients of all age groups have been divided into a group of patients with a positive suicidal screening (n=67, 65%), and another one with a negative suicidal screening (n=36, 35%). Suffering from a personality disorder was found to be a positive correlate of suicide screening (OR: 21.6, 95% CI: 2.6-179.0). Female gender (OR: 4.5, 95% CI: 1.6-13.2) and an elevated number of previous hospitalizations were found to be positive correlates of past suicidal attempts. These correlates should be assessed in the emergency room department (ER) to prevent any subsequent suicidal behavior.

MITOFUSIN 1 AS A MARKER FOR EMBRYO QUALITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN RELEVANCE TO ICSI OUTCOME IN INFERTILE FEMALES.

Mitofusin-1 is one of the membrane profusion proteins that is present in the mitochondria wall. It has a role in mitochondrial fusion. Deletion of mitochondrial fusion proteins in oocytes leads to dynamic defects in mitochondria. Growth of implanted and after implantation embryo is an ATP-demanding step that involves a range of ATP-consuming events that require a small amount of ATP. The study aims to evaluate the mitofusin-1 in the serum and follicular fluid as a marker for the evaluation of embryo quality, in addition to the pregnancy rate in infertile females undergoing ICSI cycles. The cross-section study included 50 infertile couples who were prospectively recruited according to specific criteria at the" High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies" at AL-Nahrain University for one year. all participants have undergone oocyte pickup, ICSI, and embryo transfer. Mitofusin-1 levels were measured in serum on day 2 of the cycle and in follicular fluid on the day of ova pick-up. Showed important positive relations between follicular fluids mitofusin-1 with a total number of embryos (r=0.428 & p=0.002), GI embryos (r=0.335 & p=0.017) and GII embryos (r=0.295 & p=0.038). Out of 50 females, 14 (28.0 %) females became pregnant according to the results there were significantly higher follicular fluids mitofusin-1 levels in pregnant females (3.88±1.41 vs. 2.73±1.24 & p=0.007) compared to non-pregnant group. Also, the follicular fluids mitofusin-1 cut-off value was ≥2.89 ng/ml with sensitivity=71.4%, specificity=66.7%, positive predictive value 47.8%, negative predictive value 88.9%. Elevated MEN1 levels in the follicular fluid may affect positively IVF/ICSI outcomes (embryo quality, and pregnancy rate).

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) variations in relationship with childhood maltreatment in patients with anorexia nervosa: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious mental illness. It is frequently accompanied by a history of childhood maltreatment (CM) that may constitute a specific ecophenotype in patients with eating disorders necessitating special assessment and management. This retrospective study tested whether in patients with AN, CM-related chronic stress may manifest through low-grade inflammation reflected by an increase in white blood cell ratios (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, NLR, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio). METHODS: Participants (N = 206) were enrolled at an eating disorder daycare unit in Montpellier, France, from March 2013 and January 2020. CM was assessed using the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ). The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the MINI were used to assess AN severity and the other clinical characteristics, respectively. RESULTS: NLR was higher in patients with AN and history of CM (p = 0.029) and in patients with AN and history of emotional abuse (p = 0.021), compared with patients with AN without history of CM. In multivariate analysis, emotional abuse (ß = 0.17; p = 0.027) contributed significantly to NLR variability. CONCLUSION: In patients with AN, NLR is a low-grade inflammation marker that is influenced by various sociodemographic, clinical and biological factors. It is more directly affected by some CM types, especially emotional abuse, than by the presence/absence of CM history. Future studies should focus on mediators between CM and increased inflammation, such as interoceptive awareness, emotional dysregulation, food addiction, and stress sensitization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III. Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case-control analytic studies.

Traumatic life events and its impact on fibromyalgia symptoms through serotonin activity on pain perception and personality traits.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome characterized by widespread muscular pain and tenderness with no evidence of soft tissue inflammation. Early-life stressors and traumatic events have been described to increase the risk of developing a number of psychiatric conditions, and conditions related to chronic pain in later life such as fibromyalgia on the other hand. In this overview of the literature on the topic, we present the impact that traumatic life events can have on fibromyalgia symptoms through serotonin activity on pain perception and personality traits.

Studies on cellulases of some cellulose-degrading soil fungi.

In this study, novel cellulolytic fungal strains were isolated, purified, and identified. The ability of these isolates to biodegrade cellulosic materials was examined. The potential of the isolates to produce cellulolytic enzymes and optimize the cellulose degradation process was also investigated. The nylon net bag technique was used to separate cellulose-degrading fungi from soil. A total of 37 species were isolated and tested for their capacity to break down rice straw as a cellulose source. Qualitative assays for cellulase were carried out by Congo red plate assay, while quantitative assays were carried out using the dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method at 546 nm. Following morphological and molecular identification, the isolates that exhibited the highest cellulase activities were identified as Neurospora intermedia (Assiut University Mycological Center (AUMC) 14359), Fusarium verticillioides (AUMC 14360), and Rhizopus oryzae (AUMC 14361). For N. intermedia, the optimal conditions for maximum activity were a 2% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) concentration, beef extract and peptone as nitrogen sources, pH 7, 30 °C, and an inoculum size of 2.5 (v/v). For F. verticillioides, the optimal conditions were 2.5% CMC concentration, yeast extract as a nitrogen source, pH 6, 30 °C, and an inoculum size of 2 (v/v). For R. oryzae, the optimal conditions were 2% CMC concentration, beef extract as a nitrogen source, pH 7, 30 °C and an inoculum size of 2.5 (v/v). The identified strains represent new starter strains with high efficiency under optimum conditions for prospective large-scale application in cellulose degradation and nanocellulose production-dependent water purification.

Targeting all psychopathological dimensions in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.

Efforts to improve the prognosis of subjects with anorexia nervosa [AN] through the development of specific therapeutic interventions have yielded unsatisfactory results. AN can be perceived as a mental disorder that is clinically composed of disturbed psychopathological dimensions found in major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and delusional disorder somatic type. Future treatment strategies of patients with AN might target these multiple psychopathological dimensions. Considering that each of these dimensions is known to be best treated with psychopharmacologic drugs such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers and antipsychotic drugs, AN treatment guidelines may need to consider prescribing them to patients.

"Emotional Chemobrain": A new concept for chemotherapy adverse drug effect?

"Emotional chemobrain" is a new paradigm that relates the occurrence of alterations in the psychological wellbeing of patients to the adverse drug effects of chemotherapy on the neurobiological level. The concept of "emotional chemobrain" is the analogue concept of the classical concept of "chemobrain" but that concerns emotional disturbances related to chemotherapy. Disgust is a negative emotion that might accompany any stressful life event such as having cancer. Increased disgust may lead to the development of mental disorders such as mood and anxiety disorders. Patients with cancer may develop negative emotions such as self-disgust because of their affected autonomy and life style on the one hand and because of chemotherapy's effect on their brain on the other. Self-disgust might be considered as a factor contributing to psychological distress exacerbation in this category of physically ill individuals. In addition to lifestyle modifications and body changes, self-disgust might be exacerbated by chemotherapy in the same way other negative emotions might be exacerbated by this kind of treatment. It might be speculated that the emotional side effects of chemotherapy concern activation modifications in brain regions relevant to emotional elaboration and regulation such as the insular lobe and the amygdala. "Emotional chemobrain" should be considered whenever neuropsychiatric adverse effects of chemotherapy are manifested in patients with cancer. Future studies might be interested in studying the effect of chemotherapy on brain regions that can affect regulation of emotions such as self-disgust.

Potential importance of supplementation with zinc for autism spectrum disorder.

Zinc is an essential micronutrient for cellular proliferation and subsequent body and brain development. Zinc deficiency is becoming a major public health issue equally in under-developed and developed countries. The lack of sufficient zinc, whether related to environmental or internal factors, is an important environmental stressor that is eligible to become elucidated as a contributing factor for the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of this manuscript is to briefly overview available data regarding the relationship of zinc deficiency with the development of ASD and to relate these data with currently known pathogenetic mechanisms of this disorder namely brain growth disturbances and neuropeptides secretion. Zinc deficiency impacts brain connectivity and growth and alters adequate neurotransmission. In addition, zinc deficiency may indirectly act on the brain by disturbing the immune system and by altering the normal gut-brain connection. Zinc seems to be important for the social effect of neuropeptides. Zinc supplementation in pregnant women and newborn children with the aim of preventing ASD needs further consideration.

Improving interoception and self-disgust in the treatment of patients with anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a mental disorder in which sufficient evidence points towards the presence of a high level of disturbed interoception and self-disgust. High arousal mood induction is a therapeutic technique that helps improve a patient's interoceptive capacities. With some adjustments to this technique such as adding a challenging behavior that induces a "flow" state or a mindfulness component such as in mindful awareness in body-oriented therapy (MABT), it is expected that patients with AN may benefit from an integrative treatment strategy that helps them improve their symptoms of high self-disgust and low interoception.

Therapy-Resistant Hypercalcemia in a Patient with Inactivating CYP24A1 Mutation and Recurrent Nephrolithiasis: Beware of Concomitant Hyperparathyroidism.

We describe a case harboring a homozygous CYP24A1 mutation with mild loss of function, first presenting with recurrent nephrolithiasis from the age of 22 onward, initially associated with hypercalcemia and low PTH concentrations. Over the years, hyperparathyroidism developed, resulting in more severe hypercalcemia. Also, kidney function deteriorated, most probably as a consequence of biopsy-proven nephrocalcinosis. Conventional treatment options for CYP24A1 mutation were not effective and/or tolerated (avoidance of sun exposure, diet, pamidronate, itraconazole). A total parathyroidectomy was performed resulting in a normocalcemic hypoparathyroidism without need for treatment with vitamin D analogs, a positive bone mineral balance and an improved kidney function.

Estimating the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in Lebanon.

This cross-sectional survey examines the prevalence rate of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 818 children (16-48 months) across all Lebanese regions. Screening was done using the revised form of the Modified-Checklist for Autism in Toddlers. Based on the total score of items failed, children were classified into 3 categories of ASD risk (low, moderate and high). Phone calls follow-up interviews and clinical assessments for diagnosis ascertainment were conducted. Given the caregivers' reluctance to participate, the prevalence rate was estimated between 49 and 513 per 10,000 with a male predominance. Our prevalence estimation, even under restrictive assumptions, is higher than elsewhere in the Arab region. Anti- stigma interventions adapted to the socio-cultural context are needed prior to future research in the field.

Triage Into the Community for COVID-19 (TICC-19) Patients Pathway - Service evaluation of the virtual monitoring of patients with COVID pneumonia.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pneumonia presented a unique problem for healthcare systems with the potential to overwhelm hospitals and lead to unnecessary morbidity and mortality. Safe triage and follow up systems are required to manage this unprecedented demand. METHODS: We designed a pathway for the triage and assessment of patients based on their resting oxygen saturations and response to a 30 metre rapid walking test. We admitted patients to a 'Virtual Ward' for remote oximetry monitoring from the Emergency Department, step down from inpatient wards and from the local Primary Care 'Hot Hub'. This allowed the safe and managed readmission of those patients who deteriorated at home. RESULTS: During the first wave of COVID-19 we entered 273 onto the pathway for Virtual Ward follow up. Of these, 31 patients were readmitted to hospital, two were admitted to Intensive Care and one patient died. Median oxygen saturation at presentation was 97 % (IQR 96-98%) and following a 30 metre walk test 96% (IQR 94-97%). Median NEWS-2 score was 2 (IQR 1-3). On feedback 99.5% of patients were likely or extremely likely to recommend the service to their family and friends. There was a cost avoidance of £107,600 per month. CONCLUSION: It is safe, feasible and cost effective to set up a triage system with remote oximetry monitoring for patients with COVID-19 and overwhelmingly patients find it a positive experience.

Clinical genomics expands the morbid genome of intellectual disability and offers a high diagnostic yield.

Intellectual disability (ID) is a measurable phenotypic consequence of genetic and environmental factors. In this study, we prospectively assessed the diagnostic yield of genomic tools (molecular karyotyping, multi-gene panel and exome sequencing) in a cohort of 337 ID subjects as a first-tier test and compared it with a standard clinical evaluation performed in parallel. Standard clinical evaluation suggested a diagnosis in 16% of cases (54/337) but only 70% of these (38/54) were subsequently confirmed. On the other hand, the genomic approach revealed a likely diagnosis in 58% (n=196). These included copy number variants in 14% (n=54, 15% are novel), and point mutations revealed by multi-gene panel and exome sequencing in the remaining 43% (1% were found to have Fragile-X). The identified point mutations were mostly recessive (n=117, 81%), consistent with the high consanguinity of the study cohort, but also X-linked (n=8, 6%) and de novo dominant (n=19, 13%). When applied directly on all cases with negative molecular karyotyping, the diagnostic yield of exome sequencing was 60% (77/129). Exome sequencing also identified likely pathogenic variants in three novel candidate genes (DENND5A, NEMF and DNHD1) each of which harbored independent homozygous mutations in patients with overlapping phenotypes. In addition, exome sequencing revealed de novo and recessive variants in 32 genes (MAMDC2, TUBAL3, CPNE6, KLHL24, USP2, PIP5K1A, UBE4A, TP53TG5, ATOH1, C16ORF90, SLC39A14, TRERF1, RGL1, CDH11, SYDE2, HIRA, FEZF2, PROCA1, PIANP, PLK2, QRFPR, AP3B2, NUDT2, UFC1, BTN3A2, TADA1, ARFGEF3, FAM160B1, ZMYM5, SLC45A1, ARHGAP33 and CAPS2), which we highlight as potential candidates on the basis of several lines of evidence, and one of these genes (SLC39A14) was biallelically inactivated in a potentially treatable form of hypermanganesemia and neurodegeneration. Finally, likely causal variants in previously published candidate genes were identified (ASTN1, HELZ, THOC6, WDR45B, ADRA2B and CLIP1), thus supporting their involvement in ID pathogenesis. Our results expand the morbid genome of ID and support the adoption of genomics as a first-tier test for individuals with ID.

On cognitive debiasing and the judgment of suicide-attackers.

Suicide-attacks are possibly increasing in frequency all over the world. To date, these attacks are not considered as a manifestation of a particular mental illness. However, the process of radicalization of suicide-attackers has to interest the field of mental health. One plausible explanation for the radicalization of individuals is the use of biased cognitive schemes by the indoctrinator. Among these cognitive schemes could figure the causal attribution bias in which the subject cannot distinguish in front of two factors that operate simultaneously, the share of each factor in achieving a certain goal. Another cognitive bias would be the confirmation bias during which the subject would tend to adhere to ideas from his/her own thinking or the thinking of subjects who share some cultural values with him/her and refute any other ideas. Finally, the bias of polarization or splitting could also be incriminated. Through this bias, the subject would either be proud of being a member of a cultural group or ashamed when he/she feels that this group is being attacked and that he/she is unable to rescue it. Approaches to increase the awareness of individuals to the adverse effects of these biased cognitive schemes may theoretically reduce the risk of committing suicide-attacks. However, despite numerous attempts of "deradicalization" involving technological means of communication as well as social "reintegration" centers, all approaches aiming at raising awareness of cognitive biases need to be studied in a scientific manner before they become widespread.

Comparative and correlative assessments of cytokine, complement and antibody patterns in paediatric type 1 diabetes.

One of the most widespread and effective environmental factors is the infection with enteroviruses (EVs) which accelerate ß cell destruction in type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study represented a comparison between diabetic EV+ and EV- children as well as correlation analysis between autoantibodies, T1D markers, cytokines, complement activation products and anti-coxsackievirus (CV) immunoglobulin (Ig)G. EV RNA was detected in Egyptian children with T1D (26·2%) and healthy controls (0%). Detection of anti-CV IgG in T1D-EV+ resulted in 64% positivity. Within T1D-EV+ , previously diagnosed (PD) showed 74 versus 56% in newly diagnosed (ND) children. Comparisons between populations showed increased levels of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), C-reactive protein (CRP), nitric oxide (NO), glutamic acid decarboxylase and insulin and islet cell autoantibodies [glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GADA), insulin autoantibodies (IAA) and islet cell cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ICA), respectively], interferon (IFN)-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL -10, IL -12, IL -17, C3d and sC5-9 in T1D-EV+ versus T1D-EV- . Conversely, both IL-20 and transforming growth factor (TGF-ß) decreased in T1D-EV+ versus EV- , while IL-4, -6 and -13 did not show any changes. Correlation analysis showed dependency of accelerated autoimmunity and ß cell destruction on increased IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-17 versus decreased IL-4, -6 and -13. In conclusion, IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-17 played an essential role in exacerbating EV+ -T1D, while C3d, sC5b -9, IL-10 and -20 displayed distinct patterns.

[The effect of methylphenidate on appetite and weight]. / L'effet de la méthylphénidate sur l'appétit et le poids.

OBJECTIVES: To better delineate in the medical literature the effect of methylphenidate on weight and appetite. METHODS: A search on PubMed was carried out for articles published with no restrictions on language or year of publication using the terms: "methylphenidate"; "weight"; "appetite". RESULTS: Methylphenidate increases dopamine and noradrenaline in synapses because of its blockage of the transporters of these monoamines in the frontal cortex and insular lobe. The intracerebral activity of methylphenidate is incriminated in the dysregulation of appetite due to its probable effect stimulating the disgust sensation generated after the activation of the insular lobe by the drug. The anorexigenic effect of methylphenidate has been demonstrated in preclinical studies although the dosage and the administration routes differ in animals from those used for human beings. In clinical studies, methylphenidate decreases the weight of children and adolescents during the first 3 to 6 months after its initiation due to the appetite reduction effect that it generates with a tendency of weight curves to rejoin the curves of subjects who did not receive the treatment a few years after its initiation. CONCLUSION: The anorexigenic effect of methylphenidate does not persist over the long-term in children and adolescents who receive it.

Prolonged Mechanical Circumferential Stretch Induces Metabolic Changes in Rat Inferior Vena Cava.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Circumferential stretch on the vein wall has been suggested as a potential etiological factor in the development of varicose veins. However, the influence of vein wall stretch on vein metabolism has not yet been explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of short and prolonged mechanical stretch on vein wall metabolism. METHODS: Circular segments of inferior vena cava from male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to normal 0.5-g (nonstretched) or high 2-g (stretched) tension for short (4 h) or prolonged (18 h) duration (five vein segments per group). Contraction response to phenylephrine (10-5 M) and KCl (96 mM) was elicited to observe the effect of circumferential stretch on vein function. The polar and organic metabolites in vein tissue were extracted using a bilayer extraction method. Aqueous and organic extracts were analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, respectively. Data acquired from both analytical platforms were analyzed using mathematical modeling. RESULTS: Increased concentrations of valine (p = .02) and choline (p = .03) metabolites and triglyceride moieties (p = .03) were observed in veins stretched for 18 h compared with the nonstretched/18 h group. DISCUSSION: Increased concentrations of branched chain amino acid valine and cell membrane constituent choline indicate increased muscle breakdown and increased metabolism of membrane phospholipids under stretch in an ex-vivo model. Increased intensities of triglyceride moieties in stretched vein segments for 18 h suggest that high pressure may induce an inflammatory response. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that prolonged mechanical circumferential stretch (18 h) alters the metabolic profile of rat inferior vena cava.

Urinary CXCL10: a marker of nephritis in lupus patients.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a connective tissue disease characterized by the formation of autoantibodies and immune complexes. Lupus nephritis is one of the hallmark features of SLE. CXCL10 is a chemokine secreted by IFNg- stimulated endothelial cells and has been shown to be involved in the pathological processes of autoimmune diseases. The objective was to measure urinary CXCL10 in SLE patients, to compare levels between nephritis and non-nephritis groups and to study its correlation with other variables. Sixty lupus patients were enrolled in our trial. Thirty patients had lupus nephritis and the other 30 were without evidence of lupus nephritis. Thirty healthy subjects were willing to participate as a healthy control group. Renal biopsy was performed for lupus nephritis group. Urinary CXCL10 was measured using the ELISA technique. Serum creatinine, C3, C4 and 24 h urinary proteins were measured. Lupus activity was assessed using systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) scoring system. Renal activity was measured using renal activity scoring system. CXCL10 was significantly higher in lupus nephritis patients than in lupus patients without nephritis. CXCL10 was significantly correlated with renal activity score, 24 hours urinary proteins and the SLEDAI score. It is highly valid predictor of SLE nephritis with high sensitivity and specificity. CXCL 10 a highly sensitive and specific non-invasive diagnostic tool for lupus nephritis patients.