Polymerase chain reaction [PCR]: an alternative rapid method for detection of some microbial contamination of meat products

The use of advanced molecular techniques such as PCR has been introduced as a new rapid and reliable method for detection of microbial contamination of food stuff. In this study, a total of 160 meat products samples 40 of each luncheon beef burger, minced meat, and fresh sausage] were examined for the presence of E. coli and pathogenic Staph. aureus using traditional methods of isolation and identification and RAPD-PCR. The data obtained from this study showed that E. coli was isolated from 9 [22.5%], 13 [32.5%], 19[47.5%], and 24 [60%] by traditional method comparing with 8 [20%], 13 [32.5%], 17[42.5%], 23[57.5%] using RAPD-PCR method out of 40 samples of luncheon, beef burger, minced meat, and fresh sausage samples respectively. While, Staph. aureus was isolated from 17 [42.5%], 11[27.5%], 28 [70%], and 18 [45%] using traditional methods in comparison with 13 [32.5%], 8 [20%] 23 [57.5%], and 14 [35%] using RAPD-PCR method out of 40 samples of luncheon, beef burger, minced meat, and fresh sausages samples correspondingly, with a sensitivity rate ranged from 87 to 96% in case of E. coli and 72 to 82% in case of Staph. aureus. Collectively, the obtained results in the current study clarified that the, PCR is considered as a rapid, reliable and sensitive tool for detection of microbial contamination of food stuff

Role of visual evoked potential in management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Fifteen cases with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment have been studied pre-and postoperatively by the visual evoked potential [EVP]. The EVP technique involves the whole field and left-right; upper-lower hemifield. The patients are divided into four groups according to the extent of detachment. There are improvement in the mean latencies and amplitudes after the operation for each group. The first group shows 5.8% of improvement of the mean latency, 101.2% for the mean amplitude; the second group 21.85% and 72.39%; the third group 27.32% and 145.31%, and the fourth group 28% and 202.02%. When the macula was not detached before the operation, the mean latency stows 12.95% improvement compared to 32.90% when the macula was detached. The recent retinal detachment shows 19.9% improvement of the mean latency compared of the mean latency pared to 27.64% for the old detachment. This early study shows the value of EVP in evaluating retinal detachment pre- and postoperatively