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The search for natural food additives makes propolis an exciting alternative due to its known antimicrobial activity. This work aims to investigate propolis' behavior as a nitrite substitute ingredient in cooked ham (a ready-to-eat product) when confronted with pathogenic microorganisms of food interest. The microbial evolution of Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Clostridium sporogenes inoculated at known doses was examined in different batches of cooked ham. The design of a challenge test according to their shelf life (45 days), pH values, and water activity allowed the determination of the mesophilic aerobic flora, psychotropic, and acid lactic bacteria viability. The test was completed with an organoleptic analysis of the samples, considering possible alterations in color and texture. The cooked ham formulation containing propolis instead of nitrites limited the potential growth (δ < 0.5 log10) of all the inoculated microorganisms until day 45, except for L. monocytogenes, which in turn exhibited a bacteriostatic effect between day 7 and 30 of the storage time. The sensory analysis revealed the consumer's acceptance of cooked ham batches including propolis as a natural additive. These findings suggest the functionality of propolis as a promising alternative to artificial preservatives for ensuring food safety and reducing the proliferation risk of foodborne pathogens in ready-to-eat products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine if the addition of the assessment of levator ani muscle (LAM) avulsion to the measurement of the difference in the pubis‐uterine fundus distance between rest and with the Valsalva maneuver could increase the diagnostic capacity of ultrasound for uterine prolapse (UP). Methods: This multicenter, observational and prospective study included 145 patients. Ultrasound assessment was performed, establishing the diagnosis of UP as a difference between the pubic‐uterine fundus distance at rest and during the Valsalva maneuver ≥15 mm (standard technique), while LAM avulsion was defined as an abnormal LAM insertion in three central slices using multislice ultrasound. A binary multivariate logistic regression model was made using nonautomated methods to predict surgical UP (general population, premenopausal, and postmenopausal patients), including the difference between the pubis‐uterine fundus distance at rest and with the Valsalva maneuver as well as LAM avulsion. Results: A total of 143 patients completed the study. The addition of LAM avulsion criteria to the standard dynamic distance‐based protocol for the diagnosis of UP resulted in a higher sensitivity for the general population (79.7 vs 68.1%) as well as for premenopausal (89.3 vs 79.9%) and postmenopausal patients (76 vs 66.1%). In contrast, the standard technique showed a higher specificity than the model based on the standard technique associated with LAM avulsion for the general population (89.2 vs 74.3%) and premenopausal women (91.7 vs 63.2%). For postmenopausal patients, the model based on the standard technique associated with LAM avulsion had a higher sensitivity (76 vs 66.1%) and specificity (91.7 vs 86.8%) than the ultrasound diagnosis of UP. Conclusion: The implementation of the assessment of LAM avulsion in the ultrasound diagnosis of UP is useful in postmenopausal patients, increasing sensitivity and specificity relative to the ultrasound assessment based only on the difference between the pubis‐uterine fundus distance at rest and with the Valsalva maneuver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caesarean section is necessary to save the lives of mothers and newborns at times, but it is important to perform it only when it is essential due to all the risks involved. This study aimed to examine the rate of caesarean sections performed at a tertiary hospital using the Robson classification to detect methods for the detection of and/or reduction in these caesarean section rates. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study of a retrospective database was carried out. Results: A total of 10,317 births were assessed. The Robson classification was used to assess these interventions and verify whether the indication for performed caesarean sections was appropriate. In total, 2036 births by caesarean section were performed in the whole sample. The annual caesarean section rate varied between 18.67% and 21.18%. Conclusions: Caesarean sections increased by about 20% in 2021 compared to 2020 even though the trend over the years of study was decreasing. Vaginal delivery after caesarean section is a reasonable and safe option. Caesarean section rates could be improved, mostly in Robson's Group 2. The Robson classification facilitated progress in the implementation of measures aimed at improving care and adjusting caesarean section rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial characteristics of propolis, a bioactive compound collected from hives, have prompted its use in the food sector in recent times. This study investigated the physicochemical characteristics, phenolic profile, and antioxidant capacity of 31 propolis extracts collected from Northern Spain. The physicochemical composition (resins, waxes, ashes mineral content, and heavy metals) was within the allowable regulatory limits. The analysis of bioactive compounds enabled the identification of 51 constituents: flavonoids (apigenin, catechin, chrysin, quercetin, and pinocembrin) and phenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic, and coumaric). The mean value of total polyphenols was 42.72 ± 13.19 Pinocembrin–Galangin Equivalents/100 g, whereas a range between 1.64 ± 0.04 and 4.95 ± 0.36 Quercetin Equivalents (QE) g/100 g was found for total flavonoids content. The determination of bioactivities revealed significant antioxidant capacity using DPPH (1114.28 ± 10.39 µM Trolox Equivalents and 3487.61 ± 318.66 µM Vitamin C Equivalents). Resin content in propolis samples was positively and significantly correlated with both polyphenols (rho = 0.365; p = 0.043) and flavonoid composition (rho = 0.615; p = 0.000) as well as the antioxidant capacity TEAC DPPH (rho = 0.415; p = 0.020). A multiple regression analysis modeled the correlation between resin composition, flavonoids, and TEAC DPPH values, yielding a significant regression equation (R2 = 0.618; F (2,28) = 22.629; p < 0.000; d = 2.299). Therefore, evaluating physicochemical parameters and biological activities provides a promising framework for predicting propolis' quality and antioxidant properties, thus suggesting its potential as a functional and bioactive compound for the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To validate an ultrasound software that uses transperineal ultrasound to diagnose uterine prolapse (UP). Methods: Multicenter, observational and prospective study with 155 patients that had indications for surgical intervention for dysfunctional pelvic floor pathology. Each patient underwent an examination with Pozzi tenaculum forceps was performed in the operating room with the patient anesthetized, followed by surgical correction of stages II–IV UP. Transperineal ultrasound was used to assess the difference in the pubis–uterine fundus measurement. With a multivariate logistic regression binary model (with the measurement ultrasound at rest, the Valsalva maneuver and age) using nonautomated methods to predict UP. With the purpose of evaluating the model, a table with coordinates of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, after which sensitivity and specificity were assessed. Results: A total of 153 patients were included (73 with a diagnosis of surgical UP). It was obtained from the AUC (0.89) of the probabilities predicted by the model (95% confidence interval, 0.84–0.95; P <.0005). Based on the ROC curve for the model, obtaining a sensitivity of 91.8% and a specificity of 72.7%, values that were superior to those for the clinical exam for surgical UP (sensitivity: 80.8%; specificity: 71.3%). Conclusions: We validated software that uses transperineal ultrasound of the pelvic floor and patient age to generate a more reliable diagnosis of surgical UP than that obtained from clinical examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Listeria monocytogenes is the bacterium responsible for the majority of cases of human listeriosis, a foodborne infection that, in certain groups in the population (children, elderly, pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals), exhibits a high fatality rate (of up to 30%), and the need for hospital admission in more than 90% of cases. An awareness of the minimal concentrations for disinfectants and antibiotics necessary to destroy L. monocytogenes, may assist with choosing the most effective antimicrobials for controlling this microorganism, whether in the food industry or in the health system. The lethal concentrations of three disinfectants (sodium hypochlorite, benzalkonium chloride, and peracetic acid) and eight antibiotics (ampicillin, cephalothin, cefoxitin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, tetracycline, vancomycin, and fosfomycin) for eight different strains of L. monocytogenes were determined in this research work. It was demonstrated that the lethal concentrations for the disinfectants tested were much lower than the concentrations customarily used of these compounds. The characteristics of the cell surface play an important role in the tolerance of L. monocytogenes to these biocides. A considerable prevalence of resistance to most of the antibiotics tested was noted, making it clear that the necessary measures to control resistance in L. monocytogenes must be adopted. When selecting effective doses of antimicrobials, be they biocides or antibiotics, it is essential to know the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of these substances. The present research determined the MICs and MBCs for three biocides, sodium hypochlorite (SH), benzalkonium chloride (BC), and peracetic acid (PAA), and nine antibiotics in eight strains of Listeria monocytogenes of varying serotypes. Marked intra-species differences were observed in the resistance of L. monocytogenes to the biocides and antibiotics. The MICs (ppm) for the biocides ranged between 1750 and 4500 for SH, 0.25 and 20.00 for BC, and 1050 and 1700 for PAA. Their MBCs (ppm) ranged from 2250 to 4500 for SH, 0.50 to 20.00 for BC, and 1150 to 1800 for PAA. The MICs (ppm) for antibiotics lay between 1 and 15 for ampicillin, 8 and 150 for cephalothin, 20 and 170 for cefoxitin, 0.05 and 0.20 for erythromycin, 4 and 50 for chloramphenicol, 3 and 100 for gentamicin, 2 and 15 for tetracycline, 2 and 80 for vancomycin, and 160 and 430 for fosfomycin. The corresponding MBCs (ppm) were from 5 to 20 for ampicillin, 9 to 160 for cephalothin, 70 to 200 for cefoxitin, 4 to 5 for erythromycin, 9 to 70 for chloramphenicol, 5 to 100 for gentamicin, 3 to 30 for tetracycline, 3 to 90 for vancomycin, and 160 to 450 for fosfomycin. Notably, erythromycin showed considerable efficacy, demonstrated by the low values for both MIC and MBC. Based on EUCAST and the CLSI criteria, all strains were susceptible to erythromycin. All strains were resistant to cephalothin, cefoxitin, gentamicin, and fosfomycin. Further values for resistance were 87.50% for ampicillin and vancomycin, 75.00% for tetracycline, and 62.50% for chloramphenicol. The high prevalence of antibiotic resistance is a matter for concern. A positive correlation was found between MIC and MBC values for most of the biocides and antibiotics. The higher the hydrophobicity of the cell surface, the higher the susceptibility to biocides, suggesting that surface characteristics of bacterial cells influence resistance to these compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caesarean section is necessary to save the lives of mothers and newborns at times, but it is important to perform it only when it is essential due to all the risks involved. This study aimed to examine the rate of caesarean sections performed at a tertiary hospital using the Robson classification to detect methods for the detection of and/or reduction in these caesarean section rates., Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study of a retrospective database was carried out., Results: A total of 10,317 births were assessed. The Robson classification was used to assess these interventions and verify whether the indication for performed caesarean sections was appropriate. In total, 2036 births by caesarean section were performed in the whole sample. The annual caesarean section rate varied between 18.67% and 21.18%., Conclusions: Caesarean sections increased by about 20% in 2021 compared to 2020 even though the trend over the years of study was decreasing. Vaginal delivery after caesarean section is a reasonable and safe option. Caesarean section rates could be improved, mostly in Robson's Group 2. The Robson classification facilitated progress in the implementation of measures aimed at improving care and adjusting caesarean section rates.