Food Safety system application on fruit juices consumed by enteral tube feedin patients in New Kasr El- Aini hospital kitchen

A he present study was conducted to evaluate of the microbiological quality of fruit juices which are used in the tube feeding before and after application of HACCP system. The aerobic bacterial count decreased form 4.2 x 10[4] + 0.2 x 10[4] to 2.5x 10[2] +/- 0.2x10[2] + c.fu /ml in orange juice, from 2.5x 10[4] + 0.2x 10[4] to 2.5x 10[2]+/- 0.2x 10[2] c.f.u /ml in apple juice and from 2.8x 10[5] +/- 0.1 x 10[5]c.f.u /ml to 2.0x 10[1]+/- 0.2X10[1] c.f.u/ml in guava juice. Coliform count was 3.9 x 10 + 0.2x10 MPN/ml, 3.0 x10 +0.0 MPN/ml, l.lx 10[2] + 0.2 x 10[2]MPN /ml in orange, apple and guava juices respectively and became free from coliform after the application of HACCP. Fecal coliform bacteria were absent in orange, apple and guava juices before and after application of HACCP system. Staphaureuswas8.9 xl0[2] + 0.1x10[2], 6.5 x 10[2] 0.2x10[2] c.fu/ml and 3.9 x 10[2]+ 0.1x 10[2] c.f.u/ml in orange, apple, guava juices respectively and absent after the application. Bacillus cereus was absent in the previously mentioned products before and after application of HACCP system. Mold and yeast count decreased from 1.4x10[4] + 0.2x10[4] to 2.0x 10[2] + 0.2x 10[2] c.f.u /ml in orange juice, from l. x 10[4] +/- 0.2x 10[4] to l.Ox 10[2] + 0.0 c.f.u / ml in apple juice and from 2.7x 10[5]+/- 0.1x10[5] to 1.0x10[2] + 0.2x10[2] c.f.u/ml in guava juice. It was recommended that the HACCP system should be implemented at all food establishments?

Effect of pentoxifylline on serum hyaluronic acid in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Liver fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins that occurs in most types of chronic liver diseases. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] can be associated with progressive hepatic fibrosis. In this study we evaluated the effect of pentoxifylline [PTX] on serum hyaluronic acid [HA] levels as a marker of fibrosis. In this study we included 30 subjects [14 males and 16 females], divided into three groups. The NAFLD group included 20 patients with fatty livers as shown by ultrasound examination. Patients were randomised into a placebo group of 10 patients who received a placebo, and a pentoxifylline PTX group of 10 patients who received pentoxifylline at 400 mg/day for 6 months. The control group included 10 normal individuals. In the NAFLD group the mean value of the base line serum HA was 133 +/- 150.48, while in the control group it was 33.5 +/- 10.01; the difference between the groups was statistically significant [p < 0.001]. The mean value of the base line serum HA in the PTX treated group was 169.5 +/- 156.19, while after 6 months of treatment it was 59 +/- 44.34, with a statistically significant difference [p = 0.007]. In the placebo treated group the mean value of the base line serum HA was 96.5 +/- 143.004, while after 6 months of treatment it was 59.7 +/- 44.29; this difference was not statistically significant [p = 0.594]. Our showed that, when administered for 6 months, PTX caused a significant decline in HA levels, which may be an index reflecting improvement of hepatic fibrosis. Further investigations should be conducted with a large number of patients to confirm our and correlate this with histological findings

Experience with peripheral nerve injury in upper extremities

This study reports the results of 87 operations performed on nerves of the upper extremities of 87 patients during the period of 5 years from 2000-2005 in Mansoura University hospital and Emergency Hospital. Among them there were 84 males and 3 females, age ranged from 5 - 53 years. There were 27 patients with isolated median nerve injury, 33 with isolated ulnar nerve injury, 12 with isolated radial nerve injury and 15 patients with combined median and ulnar nerve injury. All patients were treated with nerve exploration within 1 hour, 7 months after combined injury and were followed-up for 3 months - 2 years. There were 77 nerve lesions not in continuity [74 needed suture repair and 3 needed sural nerve graft repair], while 25 nerve lesions where in continuity [9 partial lesions needed neurolysis and 16 complete lesions needed neuroma excision and suture repair]. Analysis of the outcome of surgical treatment was performed with respect to the following parameters: period between the injury and operation, patient age, type of injured nerve, level of injury and type of surgical intervention. Overall significant outcome [>/= 3 Lousiana State University Health Science [LSUHS] grade] was obtained in 67.5% [radial nerve 75%, ulnar nerve 64% and median nerve 71%]. Significant outcome according to the level of the injury were 51% arm, 69% forearm and elbow and 82% wrist. According to the type of intervention and lesion categories, lesions not in continuity had a significant outcome 61% [primary suture repair 75%, secondary suture repair 61%, while graft repair was 0%]. Lesions in continuity had a significant outcome 88% [partial lesions underwent neurolysis 100%, while complete lesions underwent surture repair 81%, cut injuries 79% and crushed injuries 59%]. The most favourable outcome was obtained with lesions that result in partial lesion in continuity

Risk prediction of coronary artery disease among naval forces

Coronary artery disease [CAD] risk factors seem to cluster in some occupational groups. The present study was designed to investigate CAD risk factors among naval forces as an example of a high risk sector and to construct a risk prediction model for the disease. A case control study was carried out at the general naval hospital [GNH] in Alexandria. The study included 250 male consecutive naval CAD cases with a control group of 250 males matches for age, occupational level, sociodemographic characteristics and, free from CAD. All participants were subjected to a questionnaire about personal data, occupational history and exposures, occupational and leisure physical activity, dietary habits, smoking, and medical history. Anthropometric measurements, sifting blood pressure, and lipid profile were determined by the standard methods. Results revealed that occupational sedentary activity and perceived occupational noise were the significantly reported special occupational characteristics together with other conventional risk factors among CAD naval cases verses controls [p< 0.000 and < 0.009 respectively]. Logistic regression analysis with the dependent variable as being a CAD case showed independently significant effects for family history of premature CAD, history of hypertension, smoking, history of diabetes mellitus, body mass index [BMI], leisure physical activity, fish consumption, and HDL-cholesterol. A risk prediction model utilizing these variables was constructed with an overall correct percent of 74.6%. Application of the model expresses the risk of having CAD in an individual eligible with criteria of the study population. These results are of special importance for design of preventive programs for CAD in similar high risk occupational groups

Handling of dairy products and its impact on their microbiological quality

A total of 18 dairy shops was randomly selected from different zones of Alexandria, where a sanitation checklist was filled. A total of 108 samples of dairy products [Domiati, fresh soft white, Romi cheese, raw milk and yoghurt] was collected as purchased. Also, 36 samples of each of empty polyethylene bags and rinses of milk measuring containers were collected. The study aimed to assess the handling of dairy products sold in dairy shops of Alexandria City and its impact on their microbiological quality. Floor parameter had the highest mean score%, while handling of the dairy products had the lowest. Moreover, all inspected shops showed acceptable grades concerning floor and hand washing parameters, while only eight shops were acceptable regarding the handling of dairy products. Raw milk had the highest mean aerobic mesophilic plate count, staphylococcal count, coliform count as well as mold and yeast count. The highest% of samples contaminated with coagulase and DNase positive staphylococci was found among raw and fresh white cheese samples; moreover, 83.3% and 47.2% of raw milk and yoghurt samples were contaminated with fecal coliforms, respectively. It was recommended to improve the sanitation of dairy shops through training the handlers and strengthening the inspection activities; also, the microbiological quality should be regularly assessed by responsible authorities