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Background: In recent years, food-borne outbreaks have been increased by consumption of raw fruits and vegetables contaminated with bacterial pathogens like Salmonella spp. in many countries. This study was designed in order to molecular detection of Salmonella in Ready-to-Eat Vegetable Salad (REVS) consumed in restaurants of Tabriz, North-West of Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 90 REVS samples were randomly collected from five different areas of the Tabriz, Iran from February to June 2016. The presence of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium isolates was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 19.0. Results: Out of 90 REVS samples, 4 (4.44%) were found to be positive with S. enterica serovar Typhimurium. There was no significant difference between S. enetrica serovar Typhimurium prevalence in various areas (p>0.05). Conclusion: This survey showed that REVS consumed in restaurants of Tabriz, Iran may have public health risk in terms of presence of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium; so, it is required to improve the food safety standards in this area. Next investigations should be done to find the antimicrobial susceptibility of the identified isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 as a major human pathogen is responsible for food borne outbreaks, bloody diarrhoea, haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome and even death. In this study, the antibacterial activity of the Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZMEO) and nanoliposome‐encapsulated ZMEO was evaluated on the pathogenicity of E. coli O157:H7. Methods and Results: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of essential oil (EO) were determined against the bacterium before and after encapsulation into nanoliposome. Then, the effect of subinhibitory concentrations was evaluated on Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) production. The effect of free and nanoliposomal EO was also studied on the gene expression of Stx2 by real‐time PCR. It was found that inhibitory activity of EO was improved after incorporation into nanoliposomes (P < 0·05). The MIC of free EO against E. coli O157:H7 was 0·03% (v/v), while this value decreased to 0·015%, after encapsulation of EO into nanoliposomes. Furthermore, subinhibitory concentrations of liposomal EO (50 and 75% MIC) had significantly higher inhibitory effect on Stx2 titre than its free form (P < 0·05). Sub‐MICs of nanoencapsulated EO also showed a better activity in reduction of Stx2A gene expression than free EO. Using 75% MIC of nanoliposomal EO, the relative transcriptional level of Stx2A gene was decreased from 0·721 to 0·646. Conclusions: The findings of present study suggest that application of nanoliposomes can improve the antibacterial effect of EOs like ZMEO. Significance and Impact of the Study: Due to the enhancement of antimicrobial activity, nanoencapsulation of plant EOs and extracts may increase their commercial application not only in food area but also in the pharmaceutics, cosmetics and health products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Citrus fruits have some antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical compounds, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Essential Oil (EO) of lemon (Citrus limon) peel in vitro and in a food model. Methods: The analysis of the lemon peel EO was carried out using gas chromatographymass spectrometry. Total phenolic and flavonoid content was determined using standard protocols. The antioxidant activity of the EO was also evaluated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Antimicrobial properties of the EO were assessed against Staphylococcus aureus using the broth microdilution method. Also, barely soup was chosen as food model. Data were analyzed using SPSS Inc. software version 22.0. Results: The total phenol content was 81.82±8.02 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of the EO. Also, the total amount of flavonoids in the EO of lemon peel was 11.72±1.82 mg/g rutin equivalent. Lemon peel EO showed 55.09% inhibition of DPPH, showing significant difference with control group (p<0.05). The MIC and MBC value of EO against S. aureus was 1.25 and 5%, respectively having significant difference (p<0.05) with control group. A dose-dependent manner was seen in food model revealed significantly lower (p<0.05) bacterial number in EO containing barley soup groups than the control one. Conclusion: The EO of lemon peel showed considerable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties both in vitro and barley soup as food model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the presence, type, and rate of parasitic contamination in Iranian currencies., Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study., Methods: Coins and banknotes of different denominations were randomly collected from sellers and markets in Tabriz, Northwest of Iran, for examining parasitic contamination., Results: Entamoeba coli and Giardia intestinalis were the most identified species of parasites in this study. Other parasites detected were Cryptosporidium parvum, Ascaris lumbricoides, Entamoeba histolytica, Fasciola hepatica, and Toxocara cati. A high rate of parasitic contamination was found in banknotes compared with coins, and a statistically significant association was found between parasitic contamination and the apparent condition of the currencies. The notes of lower denominations showed the highest contamination rates. The highest parasitic contamination was found in coins and banknotes obtained from public toilet services, butchers, and beggars., Conclusions: The findings emphasize the role of circulating coins and banknotes in the risk of pathogenic parasite transmission., (Copyright © 2020 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 as a major human pathogen is responsible for food borne outbreaks, bloody diarrhoea, haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome and even death. In this study, the antibacterial activity of the Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZMEO) and nanoliposome-encapsulated ZMEO was evaluated on the pathogenicity of E. coli O157:H7., Methods and Results: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of essential oil (EO) were determined against the bacterium before and after encapsulation into nanoliposome. Then, the effect of subinhibitory concentrations was evaluated on Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) production. The effect of free and nanoliposomal EO was also studied on the gene expression of Stx2 by real-time PCR. It was found that inhibitory activity of EO was improved after incorporation into nanoliposomes (P < 0·05). The MIC of free EO against E. coli O157:H7 was 0·03% (v/v), while this value decreased to 0·015%, after encapsulation of EO into nanoliposomes. Furthermore, subinhibitory concentrations of liposomal EO (50 and 75% MIC) had significantly higher inhibitory effect on Stx2 titre than its free form (P < 0·05). Sub-MICs of nanoencapsulated EO also showed a better activity in reduction of Stx2A gene expression than free EO. Using 75% MIC of nanoliposomal EO, the relative transcriptional level of Stx2A gene was decreased from 0·721 to 0·646., Conclusions: The findings of present study suggest that application of nanoliposomes can improve the antibacterial effect of EOs like ZMEO., Significance and Impact of the Study: Due to the enhancement of antimicrobial activity, nanoencapsulation of plant EOs and extracts may increase their commercial application not only in food area but also in the pharmaceutics, cosmetics and health products., (© 2017 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Background and Aim: Colon polyps are important lesions and a concern because of the potential for colorectal cancer, one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths in Iran. The distribution of polyps in the colon may affect the efficacy of screening modalities. The aim of this study was to determine clinical and pathology characteristics of colorectal polyps in the Iranian population., Methods: This cross sectional survey covered 856 polypectomies in 716 patients, with anatomical distribution, size and histopathology of the polyps described in 2004-2009 in the educational hospital of Taleghani in Tehran., Results: Polyps were observed in 437 males and 279 females. The distribution was 3.12 percent located in the rectum, 19.6 percent in the sigmoid colon, 24.4 percent in the descending colon, 13.9 percent in the transverse colon, and 29.6 percent in the cecum and ascending colon. Some 77(9%) were non-neoplastic and 779 (91%) were neoplastic. Adenomas were present in 727 (85%) cases, of these 411 (56%) were left-sided and 316 (44% ) were right-sided. Carcinoma was observed in 52 cases, 18(34.5%) being left sided and 34(65.5% of carcinomas) right sided. Of the total, 354 were advance polyp (>1cm, villous type, high grade dysplasia), 87(34%) being found in patients under 50 years of age and 149 (58.6 %) being right sided., Conclusion: This study showed a significant number of adenomas and carcinomas to lie proximal to the splenic flexure. Thus, it is expected that examination of the colon limited to the splenic flexure would miss 44% of such lesions. The increasing right-sided prevalence of these lesions with age suggests that evaluation of the proximal bowel is particularly important in older people. In addition there were higher stages of dysplasia and malignancy in larger polyps.