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The genus Vibrio includes several food-borne pathogens that cause a spectrum of clinical conditions including septicemia, cholera and milder forms of gastroenteritis. Several Vibrio spp. are commonly associated with food-borne transmission including Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahemolyticus, and Vibrio vulnificus. Microbiological analysis for enumeration and isolation of Vibrio spp. were carried out for a total of 93 samples of seafood, meat and meat products from different geographic localities in Libya (Tripoli, Regdalin, Janzour and Tobruk). Vibrio spp. were detected by conventional cultural and molecular method using PCR and sequencing of 16S rDNA. Out of the 93 cultured samples only 48 (51.6%) yielded colonies on Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salt agar (TCBS) with culture characteristics of Vibrio spp. More than half (n=27) of processed seafood samples (n=46) yielded colonies on TCBS, while only 44.6% of samples of meat and meat products showed colonies on TCBS. Among cultured seafood samples, the highest bacterial count was recorded in clam with a count of 3.8 × 104 CFU\g. Chicken burger samples showed the highest bacterial count with 6.5 × 104 CFU\g. Molecular analysis of the isolates obtained in this study, showed that 11 samples out of 48 (22.9%) were Vibrio spp. Vibrio parahemolyticus was isolated from camel meat for the first time. This study is an initial step to provide a baseline for future molecular research targeting Vibrio spp. foodborne illnesses. This data will be used to provide information on the magnitude of such pathogens in Libyan seafood, meat and meat products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results obtained by examination of cloacal swabs from poultry for the presence of verotoxigenic strains of E. coli O157∶H7 are presented. Twenty samples (9.2%) of 216 samples examined were positive for E. coli O157. Out of 20 E. coli O157, 19 strains were positive for the production of both verotoxins (VT1 and VT2). However, none of them was positive for the presence of H7 antigen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of a less-invasive posterior spine decompression in complex deformities. We studied the potential advantages of the microendoscopic approach, supplemented by the piezoelectric technique, to decompress both sides of the vertebral canal from a one-sided approach to preserve spine stability, ensuring adequate neural decompression., Methods: A series of 32 patients who underwent a tailored stability-preserving microendoscopic decompression for lumbar spine degenerative disease was retrospectively analyzed. The patients underwent selective bilateral decompression via a monolateral approach, without the skeletonization of the opposite side. For omo- and the contralateral decompression, we used a microscopic endoscopy-assisted approach, with the assistance of piezosurgery, to work safely near the exposed dura mater. Piezoelectric osteotomy is extremely effective in bone removal while sparing soft tissues., Results: In all patients, adequate decompression was achieved with a high rate of spine stability preservation. The approach was essential in minimizing the opening, therefore reducing the risk of spine instability. Piezoelectric osteotomy was useful to safely perform the undercutting of the base of the spinous process for better contralateral vision and decompression without damaging the exposed dura. In all patients, a various degree of neurologic improvement was observed, with no immediate spine decompensation., Conclusions: In selected cases, the tailored microendoscopic monolateral approach for bilateral spine decompression with the assistance of piezosurgery is adequate and safe and shows excellent results in terms of spine decompression and stability preservation., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Hyperglycemia in combination with oxidative stress plays a significant pathophysiological role in diabetic testicular dysfunction, often leading to infertility. Activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been reported to mediate oxidative stress during diabetes. However, engagement of the TLR4 signaling pathway in diabetic testicular dysfunction has not been previously explored. Herein, we investigated the role of TLR4 in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and in the phosphorylation status of ERK1/2 in primary Leydig cells exposed to high glucose and in testis isolated from diabetic rats., Main Methods: Testicular levels of TLR4 and phospho-ERK1/2 were determined by Western blotting. ROS production was detected with a fluorescent probe. Additionally, primary Leydig cells were exposed to normal (5.5 mmol/l) or elevated (33 mmol/l) glucose concentrations and treated with or without a TLR4 inhibitor, CLI095 (10 -  mol/l) for 24 h, followed by evaluation of TLR4 and phospho-ERK1/2 expression levels by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining, respectively.5  mol/l) for 24 h, followed by evaluation of TLR4 and phospho-ERK1/2 expression levels by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining, respectively., Key Findings: We show that high glucose induces the expression of TLR4 in Leydig cells. Additionally, we demonstrate that blockade of this receptor in this cell population reduces oxidative stress and restores the levels of phospho-ERK1/2., Significance: Our findings provide new insight into TLR4 interaction with ROS and MEK/ERK pathway in Leydig cells exposed to high glucose and present a rationale for the development of new therapeutics for diabetic testicular dysfunction., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Hyperglycemia is a chief factor in diabetes, a complex disease associated with reproductive disorders, mainly testicular dysfunction, which contributes to male infertility. Leydig cells are the predominant cell population in the testis interstitium and, when stimulated, they are capable of initiating immune responses playing crucial roles in the mechanisms related to testis' homeostasis. These cells express TLR4, an innate immune receptor, which is known to be modulated by hyperglycemia in other cell populations and tissue types. Still, whether TLR4 contributes to hyperglycemia-associated testicular dysfunction remains elusive. Activation of TLR4 in response to high glucose levels involves redox imbalance and stimulation of transcriptional factors, especially nuclear factor (NF)-κB, which could be a potential pathological mechanism compromising the testis integrity. Additionally, emerging evidence shows crosstalk between TLR4 and Nrf2, an anti-inflammatory mediator that was previously shown to be reduced in diabetic testis. Therefore, we hypothesize that hyperglycemia-mediated TLR4 activation in testicular cells, especially Leydig cells might be a crucial event triggering oxidative stress and inflammation, which in turn, drives testicular dysfunction., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

This study determined the efficacy of actinidin and papain on reducing Listeria monocytogenes and three mixed strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 populations on beef. The average reduction of E. coli O157:H7 was greater than that of L. monocytogenes and higher concentrations of either protease yielded greater reduction in bacterial populations. For instance, actinidin at 700 mg/ml significantly (p≤0.05) reduced the population of L. monocytogenes by 1.49 log cfu/ml meat rinse after 3h at 25 & 35 °C, and by 1.45 log cfu/ml rinse after 24h at 5 °C, while the same actinidin concentration significantly reduced the populations of three mixed strains of E. coli O157:H7 by 1.81 log cfu/ml rinse after 3h at 25 & 35 °C, and 1.94 log cfu/ml rinse after 24h at 5 °C. These findings suggest that, in addition to improving the sensory attributes of beef, proteolytic enzymes can enhance meat safety when stored at suitable temperatures., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of nisin in combination with different types of packaging on the survival of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat low-fat turkey bologna. Bologna was inoculated with L. monocytogenes exposed to 1 of 6 treatments: 3 packaging treatments (100% CO2, air, vacuum), each with and without nisin. Bologna was refrigerated and sampled 9 times over 42 d. Nisin reduced initial L. monocytogenes populations by 1.5 to 2 log cycles and 100% CO2 packaging prevented outgrowth throughout 42 d of storage, whereas non-CO2 packaging displayed a 2-log increase in population during storage. Nisin (500 IU/mL) combined with 100% CO2 was effective in reducing Listeria and preventing outgrowth on bologna over 42 d of refrigerated storage.