Status and costs of smoking cessation in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region

The aim of this cross-sectional observational study was to address the health care situation in regard to smoking cessation efforts and expenditure, and to provide a basis for future studies and for implementing tobacco control programmes throughout the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the World Health Organization. Information collected included methods and cost of services for tobacco cessation from all 16 participating countries. In 10 countries, cessation programmes were directed by primary physicians. In 13 countries, nicotine gum and in 14 countries nicotine patches were accessible in pharmacies. Bupropion was available at pharmacies [with a written prescription] in 6 countries and varenicline in 7 countries. However, the mean cost of each service was significantly higher than the price of a pack of cigarettes. In countries with support services for tobacco cessation, directors need to provide care at the society level that is considerably less costly and widely accessible

[Characterization of enterocin-like substances produced by two strains of enterococci isolated from ewe's and goat's milks]

Raw milk is a source of new strains of bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria [LAB] with the potential to inhibit undesirable microorganisms. The aim of this work was to detect the bacteriocin-producing LAB from raw ewe's and goat's milks and characterize the isolated bacteriocins. A total of 100 samples of ewe's and goat's milks were screened for bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria. Two strains were selected and identified phenotypically to genus level. The serums of cultures of the selected strains were treated with various enzymes to detrmine the nature of their antimicrobial substances. The inhibition potential of the substances was investigated by agar well diffusion assay and their stability at different temperatures and pH's were determined. The antimicrobial substances were partially purified by ammonium sulphate and poly-ethylene gltcol [PEG] and the titer determined. In addition, their molcular weights were determined by SDS-PAGE analysis and their resistance estimated during storage at 4°C. The two strains of Enterococcus, Le40 and Le50, exhibited a broad antimicrobial activity in several replicates. The sensivity of the inhibitory substances to proteolytic enzymes confirmed the production of enterocin-like substances [ELS] by these strains. Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were inhibited by the ELSs. The ELSs were both stable at a wide pH range [pH 3-10] and the one isolated from Le50 was resistant to heat. Partial purification of both the ELSs increased their activity and titer. Their molcular weights were between 24 and 29 KD. Finally, the ELS's activity was maintained during storage at 4°C for 28 days. Considering the desirable antimicrobial characteristics and biochemical properties of the isolated ELSs, further studies to explore the possibility of using them as biopreservatives in food processing is recommended

[Evaluation of antimicrobial potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from chicken gastrointestinal tract]

Isolation of lactic acid bacteria with the potential to inhibit the growth of pathogenic E. coli and Salmonella.Samples from different parts of digestive tract of healthy chickens were cultured in MRS broth and incubated at 37°C for 24-48 hours in anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Then, plates containing MRS agar and Rogosa agar were inoculated with cells grown in MRS broth previously. Plates were incubated at 37°C for 24-48 hours. Different colonies on MRS agar plates were studied for cultural and morphological characters. The gram positive, catalase negative, non-spore forming cocci and bacilli which were unable to produce haemolysis were selected for inhibition assay against E. coli serotypes [O78:K80, O2:K1, O1 :K1] and Salmonella serotypes [pullorum, enteritidis, typhimurium]. The antagonistic properties of isolated lactic acid bacteria were studied by using agar spot test.Out of 659 isolated lactic acid bacteria, 139 isolates [21.09%] were able to inhibit growth of indicator strains used in this study. From 139 isolated lactic acid bacteria, of those which demonstrated antagonistic activity against the pathogens, 31 isolates were identified as Lactobacillus spp., and the 108 reminder isolates were Enterococcous spp. The isolated lactic acid bacteria were more efficient in inhibition of Salmonella than E. coli. The antagonistic activity observed in this experiment can be attributed to organic acids and bacteriocin production by lactic acid bacteria. As the source of isolation of lactic acid bacteria in this study was poultry, and their potential inhibitory effects against mentioned pathogens and considerto other essential criteria, it is foreseen that it would be possible to use these isolates as a feed additive in poultry production in order to reduce the risk of infection