Zein-based nisin-loaded electrospun nanofibers as active packaging mats for control of Listeria monocytogenes on peach.

Zein-based nanofibers (NFs) functionalized with nisin (NS), reinforced with montmorillonite nanoclay (nMMT) were fabricated by uniaxial electrospinning (ES) for the first time to preserve yellow peach. Spinnability/viscosity/conductivity optimizations generated porous (95.09%), bead-free, ultrathin (119 nm) NFs of low hydrophobicity (26.

Halochromic smart packaging film based on montmorillonite/polyvinyl alcohol-high amylose starch nanocomposite for monitoring chicken meat freshness.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was blended with high amylose starch (HAS) at a ratio of 3:1, and reinforced with montmorillonite (MMT K10) at different concentrations (1, 2, 5, and 7 % w/w of polymers) and anthocyanins (ANT) to develop an active and smart packaging film. MMT addition enhanced the film's mechanical, barrier, thermal, and water resistance properties. Incorporating ANT extracted from roselle calyx into the optimal nanocomposite film (MMT/PVA-HAS II) increased the films' antioxidant, pH-response, and antibacterial properties.

Novel pectin-based nanocomposite film for active food packaging applications.

Novel pectin-based films reinforced with crystalline nanocellulose (CNC) and activated with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were prepared by solvent-casting method. Film ingredients enhanced UV-blocking, thermal, and antibacterial properties of active films against well-known foodborne pathogens. Optimal active films exhibited higher mechanical, water vapor barrier properties compared to pristine pectin films.

Dual Therapeutic Targeting of Lung Infection and Carcinoma Using Lactoferrin-Based Green Nanomedicine.

In view of the promising applications of nanoparticles in drug delivery, this study highlights the fabrication of new bioactive green protein-polysaccharide nanocomplexes with significant antibacterial and antitumor efficacies. We preformulated the water-insoluble drugs Quercetin (Quer) and Resveratrol (Res) as water-soluble nanocrystals to facilitate their entrapment in the electrostatic lactoferrin-chondroitin (Lf-ChS) nanocomplex. Quer and Res were physically entrapped in the Lf-ChS nanomatrix with high encapsulation efficiencies (EE %) of 85.

Investigation of the Immunomodulatory effect of Berberis vulgaris on core-pulsed dendritic cell vaccine.

Background: Virus-induced dendritic cells (DCs) functional deficiency leads to sub-optimal initiation of adaptive immune responses and consequently chronic infection establishment. The present study reports an advanced hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapeutic vaccine model based on In vivo enrichment of DCs with barberry ethanolic crude extract (BCE) then pulsing them with HCV core protein.

Methods: DCs were enriched by BCE intravenous injection in BALB/c mice.

New Monoclonal Antibodies against a Novel Subtype of Shiga Toxin 1 Produced by Enterobacter cloacae and Their Use in Analysis of Human Serum.

Shiga toxin (Stx) is a major virulence factor of several bacterial pathogens that cause potentially fatal illness, including Escherichia coli and Shigella spp. The continual emergence of new subtypes of Stxs presents challenges for the clinical diagnosis of infections caused by Stx-producing organisms. Here, we report the development of four new monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against Stx1e, a novel subtype of Stx1 that was produced by an Enterobacter cloacae strain and had limited reactivity with existing anti-Stx1 antibodies.

Phage-mediated Shiga toxin (Stx) horizontal gene transfer and expression in non-Shiga toxigenic Enterobacter and Escherichia coli strains.

Enterobacter cloacae M12X01451 strain recently identified from a clinical specimen produces a new Stx1 subtype (Stx1e) that was not neutralized by existing anti-Stx1 monoclonal antibodies. Acquisition of stx by Ent. cloacae is rare and origin/stability of stx1e in M12X01451 is not known.

Detection of shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) in leafy greens sold at local retail markets in Alexandria, Egypt.

Leafy green vegetables, a popular and an indispensable ingredient of the daily menus of Egyptians' diets, currently presents a great concern in terms of microbiological hazards. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that provides scientific evidence for prevalence of shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) in leafy greens sold at open air local retail markets and superstores in the Egyptian environment. A total of 486 conventional and organic leafy green samples that are eaten raw were collected from different areas in Alexandria, evaluated for total E.

Evaluation of the microbiological quality of conventional and organic leafy greens at the time of purchase from retail markets in Alexandria, Egypt.

This is a pioneer study in Egypt that provides some assessment of the microbiological quality of conventional and organic leafy green vegetables that constitute an essential component of the Egyptians' daily diet. A total of 380 samples of unpackaged whole conventional and 84 packaged whole organic leafy greens were collected from retail markets in Alexandria, and analyzed for total aerobic mesophilic count (AMC) and total E. coli count (ECC) using the standard spread plate method.

Selective removal and inactivation of bacteria by nanoparticle composites prepared by surface modification of montmorillonite with quaternary ammonium compounds.

The purpose of the present study was to prepare new nanocomposites with antibacterial activities by surface modification of montmorillonite using quaternary ammonium compounds that are widely applied as disinfectants and antiseptics in food-processing environments. The intercalation of four quaternary ammonium compounds namely benzalkonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride monohydrate, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, tetraethylammonium chloride hydrate into montmorillonite layers was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The antibacterial influences of the modified clay variants against important foodborne pathogens differed based on modifiers quantities, microbial cell densities, and length of contact.

Behavior of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on damaged leaves of spinach, lettuce, cilantro, and parsley stored at abusive temperatures.

Recent foodborne illness outbreaks associated with the consumption of leafy green produce indicates a need for additional information on the behavior of pathogenic bacteria on these products. Previous research indicates that pathogen growth and survival is enhanced by leaf damage. The objective of this study was to compare the behavior of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on damaged leaves of baby Romaine lettuce, spinach, cilantro, and parsley stored at three abusive temperatures (8, 12, and 15 degrees C).

Evidence for probiotic potential of a capsular-producing Streptococcus thermophilus CHCC 3534 strain.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the probiotic potential of an capsulated Streptococcus thermophilus CHCC 3534 strain. The strain tolerates 0.4% oxgall (bile) and was sufficiently resistant to pH as low as 2.

Are senior UAE medical and nursing students ready for interprofessional learning? Validating the RIPL scale in a Middle Eastern context.

The success of interprofessional education initiatives depends substantially on attitudes and readiness of health care students to this type of learning. To our knowledge, nothing is known about this subject in a non-western educational context. Using a self-administered extended 29 item version of the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS), this study examined attitudes and readiness for interprofessional education of senior medical (n = 90) and nursing (n = 88) students' from the United Arab Emirates University and Institute of Nursing.