An Effective Sanitizer for Fresh Produce Production: Plasma-Activated Water Treatment Inactivates Pathogenic Bacteria and Maintains the Quality of Cucurbit Fruit.

The effect of plasma-activated water (PAW) generated with a dielectric barrier discharge diffusor (DBDD) system on microbial load and organoleptic quality of cucamelons was investigated and compared to the established sanitizer, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). Pathogenic serotypes of Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes were inoculated onto the surface of cucamelons (6.5 log CFU g) and into the wash water (6 log CFU mL).

How to do it: delayed sphincteroplasty for obstetric anal sphincter injury.

Obstetric anal sphincter injuries are a common cause of faecal incontinence in women. Symptoms can arise immediately after delivery or have an onset many years postpartum. The anterior sphincter defect may be occult and unrecognised at the time of delivery or result from a breakdown of a primary repair.

Single stage repair of a giant inguinoscrotal hernia by a combined laparotomy and inguinal approach.

Giant inguinoscrotal hernias are an uncommon but challenging surgical entity. We report on how to repair a giant inguinoscrotal hernia using a single-stage approach suitable for emergency surgery. This involves a combined laparotomy and inguinal approach, with posterior component separation and transversus abdominis release.

Decline of Listeria monocytogenes on fresh apples during long-term, low-temperature simulated international sea-freight transport.

Listeria monocytogenes has caused outbreaks of foodborne illness from apples in the USA, and is also a major issue for regulatory compliance worldwide. Due to apple's significance as an important export product from New Zealand, we aimed to determine the effect of long-term, low-temperature sea-freight from New Zealand to the USA (July) and Europe (March-April), two key New Zealand markets, on the survival and/or growth of L. monocytogenes on fresh apples.

Assessment of microbial risk during Australian industrial practices for Escherichia coli O157:H7 in fresh cut-cos lettuce: A stochastic quantitative approach.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 risk associated with the consumption of fresh cut-cos lettuce during Australian industrial practices was assessed. A probabilistic risk assessment model was developed and implemented in the @Risk software by using the Monte Carlo simulation technique with 1,000,000 iterations. Australian preharvest practices yielded predicted annual mean E.

Gender-Related Differences of Tachykinin NK Receptor Expression and Activity in Human Colonic Smooth Muscle.

The tachykinin NK receptor plays a key role in gastrointestinal motor function. Enteric neurons release neurokinin A (NKA), which activates NK receptors on gastrointestinal smooth muscle, leading to contraction and increased motility. In patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, the NK receptor antagonist ibodutant had a greater therapeutic effect in females than males.

Effect of soil type and temperature on survival of Salmonella enterica in poultry manure-amended soils.

The effects of soil type and temperature on the survival of a cocktail of five Salmonella enterica serotypes (Enteritidis, Infantis, Montevideo, Typhimurium and Zanzibar) in manure-amended soils under controlled laboratory conditions was assessed. Containers of clay loam or sandy soil, unaltered or amended with 2% (w/w) poultry manure, were inoculated with S. enterica (~5 log CFU per gram) and held at 5, 21 or 37°C for 6 weeks.

Outbreaks, occurrence, and control of norovirus and hepatitis a virus contamination in berries: A review.

Foodborne enteric viruses, in particular HuNoV and HAV, are the most common cause of the berry-linked viral diseases, and outbreaks around the world, and have become an important concern for health authorities. Despite the increased importance of berry fruits as a vehicle for foodborne viruses, there is limited information concerning the fate of foodborne viruses in the berry supply chain from farm to consumer. A comprehensive understanding of berry-associated viral outbreaks - with a focus on contamination sources, persistence, survival, and the effects of current postharvest and processing interventions and practices - is essential for the development of effective preventative strategies to reduce risk of illness.

Subtotal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis for slow transit constipation: clinical follow-up at median of 15 years.

Background: Slow transit constipation is characterised by prolonged colonic transit and reliance on laxatives. The pathophysiology is poorly understood and in its most severe form, total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis is the final treatment option. We present a follow-up study of the long-term function in patients who had surgery for laxative-resistant slow transit constipation.

A one health exploration of the reasons for low cocoa productivity in West Sulawesi.

We conducted an interdisciplinary One Health study of potential links between agricultural, health and associated livelihood factors on the livelihoods of smallholder cocoa-growing families in West Sulawesi. Our 2017 survey of 509 cocoa smallholder family members in 120 households in Polewali-Mandar District, West Sulawesi, Indonesia showed that farmers face many challenges to improving their livelihoods, including land management, agricultural practices, nutrition and human health, animal health, aging and demographic changes. Price fluctuations, limited access to capital and poor health deterred farmers from applying agricultural inputs and resulted in levels of low cocoa production (275 kg/annum per household).

Robotic resection of a multicystic tailgut cyst.

A 29-year-old woman with recurrent pelvic pain that progressed post partum was diagnosed with a multicystic pararectal lesion on ultrasound and CT scan. Physiology was conducted to establish a preoperative function and pudendal nerve integrity. The lesion was resected using a Da Vinci Xi robotic system.

Process evaluation of a behaviour change approach to improving clinical practice for detecting hereditary cancer.

Background: This retrospective process evaluation reports on the application of a 1-year implementation program to increase identification and management of patients at high risk of a hereditary cancer syndrome. The project used the Theoretical Domains Framework Implementation (TDFI) approach, a promising implementation methodology, used successfully in the United Kingdom to address patient safety issues. This Australian project run at two large public hospitals aimed to increase referrals of patients flagged as being at risk of Lynch syndrome on the basis of a screening test to genetic services.

Using behaviour change and implementation science to address low referral rates in oncology.

Background: Patients undergoing surgery for bowel cancer now have a routine screening test to assess their genetic predisposition to this and other cancers (Lynch syndrome). A result indicating a high risk should trigger referral to a genetic clinic for diagnostic testing, information, and management. Appropriate management of Lynch syndrome lowers morbidity and mortality from cancer for patients and their family, but referral rates are low.

Patient compliance with surveillance colonoscopy: patient factors and the use of a graded recall system.

Background: Surveillance colonoscopy allows for the early detection and improved treatment outcomes in colorectal neoplasms but compliance rates and factors require further investigation.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study examining 816 patients recalled for surveillance colonoscopy at an Australian colorectal practice over a 6-month period. Primary outcome was compliance with colonoscopy within 12 months of recall.