48 research outputs found
Investigation of Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Solvent Fractions of 80% Methanol Leaf Extract of Achyranthes Aspera L. (Amaranthaceae) in Rats [Retraction]
No full textMengie T, Mequanente S, Nigussie D, Legesse B, Makonnen E. J Inflamm Res. 2021;14:1775—1787.
We, the Editors and Publisher of the Journal of Inflammation Research, have retracted the following article.
Since publication, concerns have been raised about the integrity of the data in the article, specifically image duplication in Figure 2. When approached for an explanation, the authors have been unable to provide their original data or the relevant supporting documentation. As verifying the validity of published work is core to the integrity of the scholarly record, we are therefore retracting the article. The corresponding author listed in this publication has been informed. The authors do not agree with the retraction.
We have been informed in our decision-making by our editorial policies and the COPE guidelines.
The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’
Identification of drug-resistant Salmonella from food handlers at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia
No full textIdentification of gram-negative bacteria from critical control points of raw and pasteurized cow milk consumed at Gondar town and its suburbs, Ethiopia
No full textAbstract Background Milk is highly prone to contamination and can serve as an efficient vehicle for human transmission of foodborne pathogens, especially gram-negative bacteria, as these are widely distributed in the environment. Methods This cross-sectional study of gram-negative staining bacterial contamination of milk meant for human consumption was carried out from October 2010 to May 2011 in Gondar town, Ethiopia. Milk samples were collected from critical control points, from production to consumption, that were hypothesized to be a source of potential contamination. Milk sampling points included smallholder’s milk producers, dairy co-operatives, a milk processing plant, and supermarkets. The hygienic procedures applied during milking, milk collection, transportation, pasteurization, and postpasteurization storage conditions at these specified critical control points were evaluated. Standard bacteriological cultivation and biochemical assays were used to isolate and identify bacterial pathogens in the milk samples. Results The results of the current study showed that conditions for contamination of raw milk at different critical points were due to less hygienic practices in pre-milking udder preparation, sub-optimal hygiene of milk handlers, and poor sanitation practices associated with milking and storage equipments. Among all critical control points considered, transportation containers at milk collection centers and at processing plants were found to be the most heavily contaminated with gram-negative staining bacterial species. Overall, 54 different bacterial species were indentified, and Escherichia coli (29.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18.5%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.7%), were the most commonly identified gram-negative staining bacterial pathogens. Of particular interest was that no gram-negative staining bacteria were isolated from pasteurized milk samples with varying shelf life. Conclusion This study showed the presence of diverse pathogenic gram-negative staining bacterial species in raw milk that may be attributed to the sub-optimal sanitary conditions in the production and processing of milk in the Gondar town region. These results highlighted the need to maintain appropriate sanitary and hygienic measures at each critical point in order to safeguard consumers from foodborne pathogens. Further studies are recommended to identify additional critical control points, and to assess zoonotic risk factors to consumers.</p
The detection and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Shigella isolates from meat and swab samples at butchers’ shops in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia
No full textSummaryFood borne pathogens are major causes of deaths, illnesses and billions of dollars of expenses. The burden of food borne illness is worsened by the ever increasing rate of antimicrobial resistance microbes. Shigella, a bacterial pathogen associated with food, is reported to account for higher prevalence rates of food borne illness in different settings. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 10 to June 30, 2013, at the butcher houses of Gondar town in the Northwest of Ethiopia to assess the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Shigella. Cattle raw meat and swab samples from selected critical control points, including knives, chopping boards, and the hands and noses of butchers, were collected and analyzed. The identification of Shigella was carried out using colony characteristics, the Gram reaction, and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. The overall hygienic status of the butcher shops was also assessed using a checklist. An observational analysis revealed that the sanitary condition of the butcher shops and their premises was poor. Of 306 samples screened, 10.5% were positive for Shigella. Approximately 7.4% of meat samples and 10.2% of swab samples were contaminated with Shigella. Out of the total Shigella isolates, 90.6%, 46.9%, 18.8% and 9.4% were resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone and tetracycline, respectively. A multidrug resistance pattern was recorded in 27.8% of the isolates. In conclusion, the safety of meat sold at Gondar butchers houses was poor. The identified Shigella isolates showed high levels of drug resistance and multidrug resistance patterns for commonly used antimicrobials in veterinary and human medicine. Practicing wise use of antimicrobials and strict sanitary interventions at different critical control points is strongly recommended, in addition to further in-depth studies to prevent unprecedented consequences from shigellosis
Staphylococcus aureus in mastitic crossbreed cows and its associated risk factors in Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia
No full textA cross sectional study was conducted in dairy farms of Addis Ababa city from November 2011 to April 2012 to estimate the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and its associated risk factors in mastitic dairy cows. Milk samples were collected from 153 (50 clinical and 103 subclinical) mastitic lactating crossbred cows and were subjected to laboratory examination for identification of Staphylococcus aureus. Of the 153 mastitic cows, 67 were Zebu-Holstein Frisian and 86 were ZebuJersey crossbred. Bacterial identification was based on colony morphology, gram staining characteristics, and enzymatic tests including catalase and coagulase. Staphylococcus aureus was identified in 74 (48.4%) milk samples. It was higher (n= 63, 61.1 %) in subclinical cases as compared to clinical form of the disease (n= 11, 22%). The occurrence of bovine mastitis associated with Staphylococcus aureus varied significantly (p<0.05) between breed, lactation stage, parity and age. It was higher (n= 49, 56.9%) in Zebu-Jersey than Zebu-Holstein Frisian (n= 25, 37.3%) crossbred cows. Staphyloccocal mastitis is a major health problem in dairy farm of Addis Ababa causing huge economic loss. Furthermore, Staphylococcus aureus can leads to public health hazard through consumption of raw milk or milk products from infected animals. Therefore, early diagnosis and screening of cows for mastitis is important to limit spread of the disease. Appropriate control and prevention measures should be in place to reduce Staphylococcus aureus mediated bovine mastitis. Routine pasteurization of milk should also be practiced to safeguard the public health.Keywords: Addis Ababa, Crossbred Cows, Prevalence, Mastitis, Staphylococcus aureu
What Should Be Done: Dealing with Dacca's Urban Poor
No full textThis thesis is about the squatter phenomena in Dacca, Bangladesh. The author reviews and synthesizes existing programs and policies that have been developed to deal with the squatter phenomenon around the Third World and subsequently the development of a program for applying these to Dacca in a realistic and effective manner. The author provides an understanding of, and solutions for, the existing problem with provisions for the expected growth of the influx of rural populations. The troubled economy, low per capita income, etc., are problems that directly face the urban poor, and their improvement would undoubtedly greatly improve the conditions of this sector of society. The author focuses on how to provide the people without legal title to a place to live, improving the resulting sub-human living conditions they endure, and making available some of the basic needs of human life; i.e., access to shelter, clean water, food, and employment. Methodology includes participant observation, formal and informal interviews, and surveys
Tourism as a Strategy for Development in Jamaica
No full textThe image of tourism is one of the main obstacles facing the industry. The image has come to override the truth, and the industry is experiencing difficulties with coming to terms with the reality, and treating tourism as it should be, as a multidimensional and worthy strategy for development. The author argues that if tourism in Jamaica is to succeed as a sustainable strategy for development, officials must go beyond the image of tourism, understand the various areas that affect and are affected by the industry, and plan wisely and in collaboration with one another to produce a first class product appropriate for Jamaica. Methodology focuses on tourists and their hosts, tourism and the economy, society, and the environment, as well as dependency, imperialism, image, and planning
Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella Isolated from Animal-Origin Food Items in Gondar, Ethiopia
No full textSalmonella has been found to be the major cause of foodborne diseases and a serious public health problem in the world, with an increasing concern for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant strains. A cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2014 and December 2015 on food items of animal origin to assess the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella isolates using standard bacteriological methods. The overall prevalence rate of 5.5% was recorded from the total analyzed food items of animal origin. Salmonella isolates were detected from 12% of raw meat, 8% of minced meat, 2.9% of burger samples, 18% of raw eggs, and 6% of raw milk. Furthermore, antimicrobial susceptibility test identified 47.6% resistant Salmonella isolates, 28.6% intermediately sensitive isolates, and 23.8% susceptible isolates. Among Salmonella isolates tested, 42.6%, 28.6%, and 14.3% were found to be relatively resistant to tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and ampicillin, respectively, while 9.5%-19% were intermediately resistant to tetracycline, amoxicillin, ampicillin, cephalothin, and nitrofurantoin. Therefore, our findings provide the prevalence and drug resistance of Salmonella from foods of animal origin and contribute information to scientists as well as public health researchers to minimize the prevalent and resistant foodborne Salmonella species in Ethiopia
Diverse Gram-positive bacteria identified from raw and pasteurized cow milk consumed at Gondar town and its environs, Ethiopia
No full textBacterial agents, especially gram-positive bacteria as they are widely distributed in the environment, may contaminate milk all the way from udder of the cow to finished products. This cross-sectional study was carried out from October 2010 to May 2011 on contamination of milk meant for human consumption in Gondar town, Ethiopia. Milk samples were collected from critical control points that were hypothesized to be sources of potential contamination including smallholder milk producers, dairy co-operatives, a milk processing plant, and supermarkets. The hygienic procedures applied during milking, milk collection, transportation, pasteurization, and post pasteurization storage conditions were evaluated. Standard bacteriological cultivation and biochemical assays were used to isolate and identify bacterial species. The results of the current study showed that conditions for contamination of raw milk at different critical points were due to less hygienic practices in udder preparation, sub-optimal hygiene of milk handlers, and poor sanitation practices associated with milking and storage equipment. This was evidenced by the dominant presence of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus that can lead to public health hazard due to food poisoning related to enterotoxin production. Out of 140 gram-positive species identified, coagulase positive (32.15%) and coagulase negative (15. 71 %) Staphylococcus species, Rhodococcus equi (18.57%), Bacillus cereus (12.86%), Nocardia asteroids (5. 71 %) and Micrococcus species (5%) were the most commonly identified pathogens. Generally, 71.43% of the isolates were categorized under cocci while the remaining isolates were rods. In conclusion, this study showed the presence of diverse pathogenic gram-positive bacterial species in raw and pasteurized milk in Gondar town. These results highlighted the need to maintain appropriate sanitary and hygienic measures at each critical point in order to safeguard consumers from food borne pathogens.Keywords: Bacteria, Critical control points, Hygiene, Mil
A bibliometric analysis of the factors influencing global research conditions of teacher education
No full textThis bibliometric analysis explores global research trends in teacher education, examining 1,757 publications from the Lens.org database (1878-2023). The study reveals a significant upwelling in teacher education program research, particularly since 2015, with journal articles dominating the publication landscape. Arthur Tatnall emerged as the most prolific author, while psychology, medicine, and medical education were identified as the top contributing fields. The analysis highlights the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, China, and Canada as leading research nations, underscoring a concentration of output in developed countries. Key influencing factors identified include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, technological integration, and the need for adaptive and equitable strategies. The findings emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of teacher education program research and the critical need for increased capacity building and international collaboration, especially in underrepresented regions
