A study of the potential application of digital PCR in the detection of fecal contamination of strawberries using Bacteroides markers.

Food-borne illnesses can result from contamination of agricultural products. In this study, we examined nanoplate digital PCR (dPCR) to test for fecal contamination of agricultural products. In nanoplate technique, the PCR mastermix is divided into 8.526,000 partitions, providing direct detection of individual DNA molecules, with correction by Poisson distribution. In this project, strawberries were inoculated with fecal material from animals, and the result detected by nanoplate digital PCR. A detection limit of 250 fg/uL was determined. Overall, dPCR offers a quick and sensitive method to detect contaminated produce.

Feedback Culture among Nigerian Orthodontic Medical Educators.

Background: Feedback is central to a quality medical and dental education in promoting self-directed learning and enhance progressive sharpening of trainees' skills, which are applicable in orthodontics. Hence, orthodontic educators must be conversant with the subject of feedback. There is insufficient information concerning this at the moment. Aim and Objectives: To determine the prevalence, quality, and barriers to feedback culture among Nigerian orthodontic educators. Design of the Study: Cross sectional. Setting: Nigerian orthodontists in training institutions. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study involving orthodontic educators in Nigeria, was done using a 26-item structured questionnaire distributed face-to-face or through google forms. Simple descriptive data analysis was done to address the study objectives. Results: Twenty-five orthodontic educators participated. Sixteen (60%) alluded to existence of a formal feedback culture in their centers, and 10, that is, 40% of the educators were comfortable giving feedback by themselves. Over half, 13, that is, 52% of the educators gave feedback as the need arises, and a few educators (18, 72%) rated the quality of feedback given as "good." In contrast, 11, that is, 44% of the educators always sought feedback from trainees, and 8, that is, 32% among them never sought feedback from colleagues. Feedback execution was preferred at different times including after teaching (10, 40%), after assessment (3, 12%), during practical (7, 28%), and on observations relating to attitude and professionalism (7, 28%). Feedback was mainly verbal and based on reports/observations. Time constraint was the barrier identified by the majority (13, 52%) of the participants. Conclusion: The scope and quality of feedback practice among orthodontic educators in Nigeria were inadequate. Time constraint was the most common barrier to feedback alluded to by the participants. There is a need to improve on feedback culture in orthodontics training in Nigeria.

Protocatechuic acid modulates hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation linked to DMN exposure in rat.

Dimethyl nitrosamine (DMN), a potent hepatotoxin, exerts carcinogenic effects and induces hepatic necrosis in experimental animals via CYP2E1 metabolic activation, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Protocatechuic acid (PCA), a plant-based simple phenolic compound and potent antioxidant, has been shown to affect the development of neoplasia in the rat liver and inhibit the initiation or progression phases of most cancers. In this study, the modulatory effects of PCA on DMN-induced hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, and selected phase I xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes were investigated in male Wistar rats. This study assessed biomarkers of hepatic injury (alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma- glutamyl transferase); oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide concentration, lipid peroxidation, and reduced glutathione levels); measured activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, sodium dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase); and inflammation (Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin-1-Beta (IL-1ß) and iNOS). The results of our investigation demonstrated that pretreatment with PCA at 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight p.o. reduced DMN (20 mg/kg bw) i.p. mediated hepatic injury, oxidative stress, and inflammation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the activities of phase I metabolizing enzymes were significantly induced except for aminopyrine-N-demethylase in the DMN-treated rats when compared with the DMN alone control group. This induction was also reversed by pre-treatment with PCA. The result of this study suggests that PCA is hepatoprotective against DMN-induced hepatic damage by its ability to suppress oxidative stress, inflammation, and modulate the activities of the selected phase I drug metabolizing enzymes. Thus, PCA may prove useful in combating DMN-induced hepatic damage.