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There is little evidence for psychopharmacotherapy in pica. A few studies reported some benefit from the use of SSRIs, atypical antipsychotics and methylphenidate. That said, evidence to deploy these agents remains, at large, flimsy. Here, despite scarcity, we review available literature and draw some generalities that can inform decision-making on clinical grounds., (Copyright © 1964–2024 by MedWorks Media Inc, Los Angeles, CA All rights reserved. Printed in the United States.)

Background: Memenatine is USFDA approved for dementia of Alzheimer's disease. Apart from this indication, trend of its use in psychiatry is on the rise addressing a multitude of disorders., Study Question: Memantine remains one of only few psychotropic drugs with antiglutamate activity. This might impart it a therapeutic potential in treatment-resistant major psychiatric disorders characterized by neuroprogression. We reviewed memantine basic pharmacology and its diversifying clinical indications while examining the extant evidence., Methods: EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews were searched for all relevant studies up to date of November, 2022., Results: Sound evidence supports use of memantine for major neuro-cognitive disorder due to Alzheimer's disease and severe vascular dementia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, treatment-resistant schizophrenia, and, ADHD. Modicum evidence supports use of memantine for PTSD, GAD and pathological gambling. Less compelling evidence is present for use in catatonia. No evidence supports use for core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder., Conclusions: Memantine is an important addition to the psychopharmacological armamentarium. Level of evidence supporting the use of memantine in these off-label indications is highly variable, and hence, sound clinical judgment is necessary for its proper use and placement in real-life psychiatric practice and psychopharmacotherapy algorithms., (Copyright © 1964–2023 by MedWorks Media Inc, Los Angeles, CA All rights reserved. Printed in the United States.)

Background: Kitchen sponges are a major source of cross-contamination as they can transfer foodborne pathogens, infectious agents and spoilage causing microorganisms to food contact surfaces. Several studies have revealed that university students adopt poor practices regarding food safety, hygiene, and the handling of kitchen cleaning equipment., Methods: A total of fifty kitchen sponges were collected along with a questionnaire addressing social demographics and kitchen sponge usage by students living at the University of Sharjah dormitories. The effect of storage (3 and 10 days) on the microbial population of kitchen sponges at room temperature (21 °C) was assessed. Enterobacteriaceae isolated from sponges were identified and their antibiotic resistance determined., Results: Student responses revealed that kitchen sponges used to clean food contact surfaces were also used to clean the oven (32%), sink (26%), refrigerator (10%), and to clean spills on the floor (4%). Kitchen sponges contained high counts of mesophilic aerobic bacteria (7.9 log 10 /cm 3 ), coliform (7.2 log 10 /cm 3 ), Enterobacteriaceae (7.3 log 10 /cm 3 ) and yeasts and molds (7.0 log 10 /cm 3 ). After storage of the sponges at room temperature (21 °C) for 3 and 10 days, the number of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, coliform, Enterobacteriaceae and yeasts and molds decreased by 0.4 and 1.3 log 10 /cm 3 , 0.7 and 1.4 log 10 /cm 3 , 0.4 and 1.1 log 10 /cm 3 , and 0.6 and 1.3 log 10 /cm 3 , respectively. The most frequently isolated Enterobacteriaceae were Enterobacter cloacae (56%) and Klebsiella oxytoca (16%). All E. cloacae isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, cefalotin, cefoxitin and cefuroxime axetil., Conclusions: This study showed that students living in dormitories lacked good hygienic practices and were at increased risk of food poisoning. Kitchen sponges were highly contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria which could be transferred from the general kitchen environment to food contact surfaces and consequently lead to food contamination.