Distribution and antimicrobial activity of lactic acid bacteria from raw camel milk.

Consumer demand for natural pathogen-control agents for substitution of synthetic food preservatives and traditional antibiotics is increasing. This study aimed to reveal the distribution of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in raw camel milk and to characterize their antimicrobial traits. The genetic identification by 16S rRNA sequencing of 58 LAB isolates showed the predominance of Enterococcus (24.2%), Lactococcus (22.4%) and Pediococcus (20.7%) genera in raw camel milk. These genera exhibited inhibitory activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including multidrug-resistant Salmonella. Among these LAB, two isolates-identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus CM16 and Lactobacillus brevis CM22-were selected for their strong bacteriocinogenic anti-listerial activity estimated at 1600 and 800 AU/mL, respectively. The bacteriocins produced were partially purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation and gel filtration and then biochemically characterized. The proteinaceous nature of bacteriocins was confirmed by the susceptibility to enzymes. These bacteriocins showed significant technological characteristics such as heat-resistance, and stability over a wide range of pH (2.0-10.0). In conclusion, these results indicated that Pediococcus pentosaceus CM16 and Lactobacillus brevis CM22 could be useful as potential probiotics. Moreover, their partially purified bacteriocins may play an important role as food preservatives and feed additives. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the distribution of LAB population in raw camel milk and the characterization of their bacteriocins from the Arabian Peninsula of western Asia.

Enhancement of heavy metal tolerance and accumulation efficiency by expressing Arabidopsis ATP sulfurylase gene in alfalfa.

Transgenic alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants overexpressing the Arabidopsis ATP sulfurylase gene were generated using Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation to enhance their heavy metal accumulation efficiency. The ATP sulfurylase gene was cloned from Arabidopsis, following exposure to vanadium (V) and lead (Pb), and transferred into an Agrobacterium tumefaciens binary vector. This was co-cultivated with leaf explants of the alfalfa genotype Regen SY. Co-cultivated leaf explants were cultured on callus and somatic embryo induction medium, followed by regeneration medium for regenerating complete transgenic plants. The transgenic nature of the plants was confirmed using PCR and southern hybridization. The expression of Arabidopsis ATP sulfurylase gene in the transgenic plants was evaluated through RT-PCR. The selected transgenic lines showed increased tolerance to a mixture of five heavy metals and also demonstrated enhanced metal uptake ability under controlled conditions. The transgenic lines were fertile and did not exhibit any apparent morphological abnormality. The results of this study indicated an effective approach to improve the heavy metal accumulation ability of alfalfa plants which can then be used for the remediation of contaminated soil in arid regions.

Musculoskeletal disorders among bank office workers in Kuwait.

This cross-sectional observational study assessed the pattern of musculoskeletal disorder (MSDs) suffered by bank office workers in Kuwait. A self-administered validated questionnaire was used that included the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and 12-item general health questionnaire (GHQ12). Of 750 employees, 80% suffered at least 1 episode of MSD during the previous year and 42% suffered at least 1 disabling episode. The most affected body parts were the neck (53.5%), lower back (51.1%), shoulders (49.2%) and upper back (38.4%). Nationality, GHQ12 score, smoking and sex were significant predictors of MSDs during the previous year, while alcohol drinking, marital status, GHQ12 score, years in Kuwait and sex were significant predictors of disabling MSDs during the previous year.

Musculoskeletal disorders among bank office workers in Kuwait

This cross-sectional observational study assessed the pattern of musculoskeletal disorders [MSDs] suffered by bank office workers in Kuwait. A self-administered validated questionnaire was used that included the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and 12-item general health questionnaire [GHQ12]. Of 750 employees, 80% suffered at least 1 episode of MSD during the previous year and 42% suffered at least 1 disabling episode. The most affected body parts were the neck [53.5%], lower back [51.1%], shoulders [49.2%] and upper back [38.4%]. Nationality, GHQ12 score, smoking and sex were significant predictors of MSDs during the previous year, while alcohol drinking, marital status, GHQ12 score, years in Kuwait and sex were significant predictors of disabling MSDs during the previous year

Epidemiology of smoking among Kuwaiti adults: prevalence, characteristics, and attitudes.

INTRODUCTION: In 1996 we conducted a cross-sectional survey to study the epidemiology of smoking among Kuwaiti adults. METHODS: The 4000 participants were selected using a three-stage stratified cluster sampling design. Altogether 3859 participants (1798 males, 2061 females) returned a completed self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking was 34.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 32.2-36.6) among men and 1.9% (95% CI = 1.3-2.5) among women. Among men, the highest prevalence (56.5%; 95% CI = 36.2-76.8) was observed in the youngest age group (< or = 20 years). Among women the highest prevalence was observed in one of the older age groups (46-50 years) (7.1%; 95% CI = 3.1-11.1). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the following factors were independently associated with smoking: lower levels of education (odds ratio (OR) 3.5; 95% CI = 1.5-8.4), lower employment grade (OR = 4.1; 2.5-6.7), and being a separated, divorced, or widowed woman (OR = 4.9; 95% CI = 2.0-11.8). The majority of smokers (68%) began smoking when younger than 20 years; significantly more men (70%) than women (33%) began smoking at these ages (P < 0.0001). On average, men began smoking at an earlier age (18 years vs 21 years; P < 0.001) and therefore had smoked for a longer period (15 years vs 12 years; P < 0.05); men also consumed a higher number of cigarettes each day (26 vs 17; P < 0.05). A large proportion of smokers were ignorant about the health consequences of passive smoking: about 77% of those with children reported that they smoked in the presence of their children. Almost half (47%) of all smokers stated that they wanted to stop smoking, and about 56% had attempted to quit. The biggest perceived barrier to quitting was uncertainty about "how to quit". A total of 338 respondents (8.8%; 95% CI = 5.8-11.9) were classified as former smokers. About half of the former smokers had quit between the ages of 20 and 29 years; the average age of quitting was 28 years. Former smokers were more likely to have smoked fewer cigarettes per day and to have smoked for significantly less time than current smokers. DISCUSSION: Given the fact that free education is provided at all levels by the government, anti-tobacco education and awareness should be included as an integral part of the curriculum in schools and colleges.

Health care for pesticide applicators in a locust eradication campaign in Kuwait (1988-1989).

Pesticide applicators in the Plant Protection Department of the Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources Authority are monitored regularly by the Occupational Health Section of the Ministry of Health. The aim is to protect them from the adverse effects of pesticides and to prevent acute poisoning by removing from exposure those who have low cholinesterase (ChE) activity levels or low white blood cell counts. Thirty-eight workers routinely examined in July 1988 were reexamined at the onset of the locust invasion in Kuwait in November 1988; also examined were 36 farmers recruited for the first time to fight locusts and a matched control group of 38 firefighters. After 2 to 3 months, when the locust invasion decreased markedly and pesticide spraying nearly stopped, the exposed workers were reexamined. The pesticides used to control locusts were five organophosphates and one organochlorine (lindane). Sixty percent of normal for red blood cell (RBC) ChE activity and 50% of normal for plasma ChE activity were used as threshold levels for removing workers from continued exposure to ChE-inhibiting pesticides. The different reactions of study groups during the locust control period are described, including results from tests of pulmonary function, RBC and plasma ChE activity, and nerve conduction velocity.

Critical flicker frequency of mentally retarded and normal persons.

Critical flicker frequency (CFF) of 40 men, 20 mentally retarded whose mean age was 22.0 yr. and 20 normal whose mean age was 21.5 yr., was measured under binocular viewing using the Lafayette Visual Perception Control with a display unit. Subjects had been previously tested for visual acuity and color blindness. Analysis showed a significant difference in CFF between mentally retarded persons and normal individuals, the former having lower CFF than the latter. This finding suggests lower perceptual sensitivity of the mentally retarded persons. Further research with provision for EEG recordings is suggested.

Standards for growth in prepubertal primary school Kuwaiti children, a cross-sectional study.

In a cross-sectional study, anthropometric measurements were made in Kuwaiti primary school children aged six to nine years. The sample included 6765 children, of whom there were 3534 boys and 3231 girls. A minimum of 400 children were included in each of the 16 age-sex groups studied. Anthropometric data are presented as percentiles for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height. The results were smoothed and figures were constructed for the three growth standards. A comparison between locally constructed standards and a Western reference growth standard (Tanner et al.) revealed marked similarities in attainable growth. We think that the Western reference standards are suitable for use in Kuwait and probably in other similar developing countries, and the setting of lower targets for those countries is not recommended.