In vitro assessment of potential probiotic characteristics of indigenous Lactococcus lactis and Weissella oryzae isolates from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum).

AIM: The objective of this study was to evaluate the probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from the intestinal ecosystem of rainbow trout. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among LAB isolates, 10 of them were selected and screened for resistance to acid and bile salts, pancreatin, sodium chloride and temperature, hydrophobicity, growth profile and antimicrobial activity against fish pathogens. Then, biosafety assessments were investigated. Selected LAB tolerated to gastrointestinal physiological conditions, pancreatin and a range of sodium chloride and temperature. They also exhibited hydrophobicity and showed antagonistic activity against Streptococcus iniae and Yersinia ruckeri. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that selected LAB belonged to the Lactococcus lactis (n = 5) and Weissella oryzae (n = 5) species. They exhibited no ß-haemolytic activity, while six selected LAB were resistant to some antibiotics. None of them harboured virulence factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed probiotic characteristics of indigenous LAB isolated from the intestinal ecosystem of rainbow trout. However, further studies are required to confirm the effectiveness of these isolates as probiotics in aquaculture. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, the presence of probiotic candidates belonging to W. Oryzae was confirmed in fish intestinal microbiota.

Evaluation of non-adherence in patients undergoing dialysis and kidney transplantation: United States transplantation practice patterns survey.

INTRODUCTION: We performed a survey of United States transplantation centers to evaluate practice patterns in the assessment of nonadherence before and after kidney transplantation. METHODS: An electronically administered, anonymous survey was sent to 181 United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) approved transplantation centers in 2012. RESULTS: Seventy-nine centers completed our survey. Of them, 51.3% had a protocol to evaluate medication/dialysis adherence before the listing; most common (36.4%) was the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire. As an alternative to a questionnaire, the most common measure of nonadherence was the number of missed hemodialysis sessions (77.0%). The most common reason for poor adherence to dialysis regimens was difficulty with transportation (81.3%). Also, 94.4% noted the lack of a questionnaire to evaluate adherence to medications but relied on drug levels (73.4%) and self report. Only 12.9% used a questionnaire for the measurement of quality of life (Karnofsky performance scale). Of the participating centers, 27.1% used a formal cognitive testing for potential living donors. A social worker was used by most centers for nonadherent patients. Respondents indicated that patients (in the pretransplantation state) were more compliant with dialysis than with medication regimens. Finally, 37.7% of respondents noted graft failure due to medication nonadherence in 15% to 29% of their patients. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant variability in the methods of screening for nonadherence while the patient was on dialysis, during pretransplantation work up, and during post-transplantation follow-up examinations. We recommend that there should be a standardized technique to evaluate nonadherence to facilitate focused clinical trials to improve adherence.

Occupational dose assessment and National Dose Registry System in Iran.

This report presents status of external and internal dose assessment of workers and introducing the structure of National Dose Registry System of Iran (NDRSI). As well as types of individual dosemeters in use, techniques for internal dose assessment are presented. Results obtained from the International Atomic Energy Agency intercomparison programme on measurement of personal dose equivalent H(p) (10) and consistency of the measured doses with the delivered doses are shown. Also, implementation of dosimetry standards, establishment of quality management system, authorisation and approval procedure of dosimetry service providers are discussed.

Analysing an accident related to orphan sources including dose assessment.

This paper discusses an accident, which occurred in one of the radiation application centres in Iran, follow-up investigations as well as lessons learnt. In January 2004 the Regulatory Authority was informed through a university radiation protection officer of an accident regarding orphan sources. Investigations revealed that one Am-Be and three (137)Cs sources in the container were subject to extensive heat due to burning of the container and melting of the paraffin content of the container; consequently, sources were stuck to the side wall of the container, but they were still undamaged and no radioactive leaking had occurred. Further investigations showed that the container had been given to the above mentioned centre a long time before by a foreign well-logging company without notifying the Regulatory Authority. Follow-up measurements and assessments indicated that the collective effective dose due to the accident is unlikely to be more than 21 mSv; consequently, no severe deterministic effect to individuals was expected. The findings showed that the main reasons for the accident were as follows: (1) violation of obligation under radiation protection regulations by the owner of the sources; (2) leaving the sources in an improper storage condition; (3) unauthorised access to the radiation sources at the owner centre; and (4) lack of an integrated national registration system in the Regulatory Authority.

Promoting the safety performance of industrial radiography using a quantitative assessment system.

The increasing number of industrial radiographers and their considerable occupational exposure has been one of the main concerns of the Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority (INRA) in recent years. In 2002, a quantitative system of evaluating the safety performance of licensees and a complementary enforcement system was introduced by the National Radiation Protection Department (NRPD). Each parameter of the practice is given a weighting factor according to its importance to safety. Assessment of the licensees is done quantitatively by summing up their scores using prepared tables. Implementing this system of evaluation showed a considerable decrease in deficiencies in the various centres. Tables are updated regularly as a result of findings during the inspections. This system is used in addition to enforcement to promote safety performance and to increase the culture of safety in industrial radiography.