Evaluation of Commercially Available Sanitizers Efficacy to Control Salmonella (Sessile and Biofilm Forms) on Harvesting Bins and Picking Bags.

This study evaluated the efficacy of five commercially available sanitizers to reduce Salmonella (sessile and biofilm forms) count on experimentally inoculated materials representative of harvesting bins and picking bags in the fresh produce industry. Sessile Salmonella cells were grown onto tryptic soy agar to create a bacterial lawn, while multistrain Salmonella biofilms were grown in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reactor at 22 ± 2 °C for 96 h. Samples were exposed to 500 ppm free chlorine, 500 ppm peroxyacetic acid (PAA), 75 psi steam, and 5% silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC) for 30 sec, 1, or 2 min or 100 ppm chlorine dioxide gas for 24 h.

CO Laser-labeling on Fresh Produce: Evaluating Postharvest Quality, Microbial Safety, and Economic Analysis.

Fresh produce is traditionally labeled with plastic price lookup (PLU) stickers that are attached to the produce surface using edible glue. However, both the stickers and glue are environmental contaminants, and the stickers can still easily detach from the produce surface during handling and disrupt traceability. An alternative method of labeling, the CO laser-labeling technology (LLT), has been gaining attention in recent years.

Mindful awareness and resilience skills for adolescents (MARS-A): a mixed-methods study of a mindfulness-based intervention for a heterogeneous adolescent clinical population.

Objectives: Mindful Awareness and Resilience Skills for Adolescents (MARS-A) is a mindfulness-based intervention adapted for the adolescent population. While previous studies have explored the benefits of MARS-A in various single-diagnosis populations, the aim of this study was to assess MARS-A for a heterogenous clinical adolescent population with mental health and/or chronic diagnoses, focusing on the underlying suffering present in all these conditions rather than its effects on a single diagnosis itself.

Methods: Qualitative data was collected through interviews to understand post-intervention participant perspectives and experiences.

The Need to Rethink Harm Reduction for People Using Drugs Alone to Reduce Overdose Fatalities.

: During the ongoing opioid epidemic, Cuyahoga County (second largest in Ohio) reported overdose mortality rates (54/per 100,000) higher than the national average. Prior research demonstrates that people who use drugs often use alone but there is minimal research on people who died of overdose while using alone. The objective of this study is to examine sociodemographic, toxicologic, and injury characteristics, and emergency medical response to overdose decedents who died using drugs alone.

A case study for local data surveillance in opioid overdose fatalities in Cuyahoga County, OH 2016-2020.

Introduction: Fentanyl and fentanyl analogs have increased the overdose mortality rates in the United States, significantly impacting states like Ohio. We examined carfentanil overdose deaths, other contributing Cause of Death (COD) drugs, and drug seizure trends from 2016 to 2020 in Northeast Ohio.

Materials And Methods: We studied death investigation data from the Cuyahoga County, Ohio Medical Examiner's Office (CCMEO) of all fatal accidental opioid overdoses as well as drug seizure data from Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (CCRFSL).

Developing a Decision-making Tool for Agricultural Surface Water Decontamination Using Ultraviolet-C Light.

Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light-assisted water treatment systems are an increasingly investigated alternative to chemical sanitizers for agricultural surface water decontamination. However, the relatively high concentration of particulate matter in surface water is a major challenge to expanding its application in the production of fresh produce. The objective of this project was to test the efficacy of two commercial UV-C devices to reduce the microbial risk of agricultural water in order to develop a web application to assist growers in decision-making related to the on-farm implementation of UV-C technologies for agricultural water treatment.

The Potential for Cover Crops to Reduce the Load of Escherichia coli in Contaminated Agricultural Soil.

Cover crops are plants seeded before or after cash crops to improve soil health, reduce weed pressure, and prevent erosion. Cover crops also produce various antimicrobial secondary metabolites (i.e.

The Attenuation of Microbial Reduction in Blueberry Fruit Following UV-LED Treatment.

Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation is a well-recognized technology for improving blueberry postharvest quality, and previous literature indicates that it has the potential for dual-use as an antimicrobial intervention for this industry. However, the practicality and feasibility of deploying this technology in fresh blueberry fruit are significantly hindered by the shadowing effect occurring at the blossom-end scar of the fruit. The purpose of this study was to determine if treating the blueberry fruit within a chamber fitted with UV-Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) emitting a peak UV-C at 275 nm could minimize this shadowing and result in improved treatment efficacy.

Trends in opioid overdose fatalities in Cuyahoga County, Ohio: Multi-drug mixtures, the African-American community and carfentanil.

Background: Ohio's age-adjusted opioid overdose fatality rate is double the national average. In an ever-evolving epidemic, it is crucial to monitor trends to inform public health interventions.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using the Medical Examiner's decedent case files for all accidental opioid-related adult overdose deaths in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), Ohio in 2017.

Feasibility of online mindfulness-based interventions for families affected with postpartum depression and anxiety: study protocol.

Introduction: Postpartum depression and anxiety (PPDA) is experienced by up to 20% of families in the first year. The condition impacts not only parents but also their developing child. While mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) have shown to be beneficial for this population, many parents do not have access to treatment or find it challenging to commit or complete the treatment.

Protocol for Evaluating the Microbial Inactivation of Commercial UV Devices on Plastic Surfaces.

With the plethora of commercially available UV-C devices exhibiting different intensity and lifespans, it is critical to consumer safety that companies verify and clearly communicate the efficacy of their devices as per the intended use. The purpose of this study was to define a low-cost protocol for investigating the antimicrobial efficacy of commercial UV devices for industry use. The tested devices included: a wall-mounted unit (Device A), a troffer unit (Device B), and an induction lamp unit (Device C).

The Public Health Role of Medical Examiner Offices During COVID-19 and Other Mass Fatality Events.

The public health role of a medical examiner office (MEO) in a pandemic is largely undefined; however, death data may be useful in strategic planning. Deaths reportable to MEO are defined in statute, with discretion as to the assumption of jurisdiction. We analyzed the daily reported death numbers (DRDNs) in our jurisdiction from March 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, and compared them with hospital admission and COVID-19 fatality data over the same period.

Genotypic and Phenotypic Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles in Non-typhoidal Strains Isolated From Cambodian Informal Markets.

Non-typhoidal is a pathogen of global importance, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). The presence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) strains in market environments poses a serious health threat to consumers. In this study we identified and characterized the genotypic and phenotypic AMR profiles of 81 environmental strains isolated from samples from informal markets in Cambodia in 2018-2019.

Survival on Strawberries and Unpacked Romaine Lettuce Washed Using Contaminated Water.

A number of foodborne outbreaks have occurred in the past decade, with higher incidences associated with romaine lettuce and strawberries. Contaminated agricultural water has been reported as the source of microbial contamination in most of these outbreaks. Maintaining the adequate and sanitary quality (0 /100 mL) of agricultural water can be challenging during post-harvest operations such as washing.

Shiga Toxin-Producing in the Long-Term Survival Phase Exhibit Higher Chlorine Tolerance and Less Sublethal Injury Following Chlorine Treatment of Romaine Lettuce.

The extent of chlorine inactivation and sublethal injury of stationary-phase (STAT) and long-term survival-phase (LTS) cells of Shiga toxinproducing (STEC) and in a lettuce postharvest wash model was investigated. Four STEC strains were cultured in tryptic soy broth supplemented with 0.6% (w/v) yeast extract (TSBYE; 35°C) for 24 h and 21 d to obtain STAT and LTS cells, respectively.

Determining the Potential Food Safety Risks Associated with Dropped Produce on Floor Surfaces in Grocery Stores.

Abstract: Grocery stores handle fresh produce in large quantities daily. According to the Food and Drug Administration Food Code, food is to be stored at least 15 cm above the floor, and all foods shall be protected from any source of contamination or otherwise discarded. It is reported in the literature that dropped produce could be a potential source of microbial contamination.

Ultraviolet inactivation of bacteria and model viruses in coconut water using a collimated beam system.

This study investigated the effect of ultraviolet-C irradiation on the inactivation of microorganisms in coconut water, a highly opaque liquid food (1.01 ± 0.018 absorption coefficient).

UV-C Irradiation on the Quality of Green Tea: Effect on Catechins, Antioxidant Activity, and Cytotoxicity.

Unlabelled: Short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) irradiation is a nonthermal processing technique that is a possible alternative to the heat-pasteurization of tea beverages. This study investigated the effect of UV-C irradiation on the polyphenolic and total phenolic contents of a green tea beverage and analyzed cytotoxicity of irradiated green tea using a novel continuous flow-through UV system. UV-C fluence levels ranging from 0 to 240 mJ/cm were delivered to green tea, and polyphenols were chemically profiled.

Microbial inactivation and cytotoxicity evaluation of UV irradiated coconut water in a novel continuous flow spiral reactor.

Unlabelled: A continuous-flow UV reactor operating at 254nm wave-length was used to investigate inactivation of microorganisms including bacteriophage in coconut water, a highly opaque liquid food. UV-C inactivation kinetics of two surrogate viruses (MS2, T1UV) and three bacteria (E. coli ATCC 25922, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 13311, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115) in buffer and coconut water were investigated (D values ranging from 2.