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Low energy electron beam (e-beam) has the ability to decontaminate or reduce bioburden and enhance the food product's safety with minimal quality loss. The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of e-beam on natural microbiota and quality changes in black peppercorns. The black pepper was exposed to e-beam at doses from 6–18 kGy. The microbial quality, physicochemical attributes, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity were evaluated. Results demonstrated the microbial population in black pepper decreased with increasing e-beam treatment doses. Significant inactivation of Total Plate Count (TPC), yeasts, and molds were observed at dose 6 kGy by 2.3, 0.7, and 1.3 log CFU g−1, respectively, while at 18 kGy the reduction level was 6, 2.9, and 4.4 log CFU g−1, respectively. Similarly, 18 kGy of e-beam yielded a reduction of 3.3 and 3.1 log CFU g−1 of Salmonella Typhimurium and coliform bacteria, respectively. A significant difference (p < 0.05) was noted between doses 12, 15, and 18 kGy on Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens in black pepper. During e-beam doses, the values L*, a* and b* of black peppercorn were not noticeably altered up to 18 kGy dose. No significant (p > 0.05) difference in moisture, volatile oil, and piperine content upon (6–18 kGy) treatments in comparison to the control. A slight difference in the bioactive compound, retaining > 90% of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Results revealed that e-beam doses ≥ 18 kGy were influential for inactivating natural microbes and foodborne pathogens without compromising the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of black peppercorns.

Background Nationally agreed standards improve the level of care delivered to all older, frail, multi-morbid patients presenting with hip fractures. Dedicated Orthogeriatric services allow for these standards to be achieved in a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) setting. As the COVID-19 pandemic reached our shores, the model of care set out by the Irish Hip Fracture Standards (IHFS) was under threat. Our dedicated Orthopaedic Trauma ward became an acute COVID ward and the Orthogeriatric service was re-deployed to acute medicine for Quarter 2. Methods Using the Irish Hip Fracture Database, local data was analysed and compared with national data from Quarter 1 to 4 (Q1–4) in 2020. Results When comparing local IHFS’s with national figures, ongoing challenges and future goals are highlighted. In 2020, there were 222 hip fracture patients (mean age 81.8 years) in our hospital. Standard 1, time to the ward In Q1, 56%, or over 1 in every 2 patients with hip fractures, met all of the Irish Hip Fracture Standards in our hospital. In Q2, only 18% of patients met all of the IHFS’s. Q3 saw improvements with 47% of all hip fracture patients achieving all IHFS’s. Q4 showed maintenance with 45% of all patients achieving all IHFS’s. Conclusion These findings highlight the need for a dedicated Orthogeriatric Service and Orthopaedic ward at all times. Going forward with the risk of future waves and the emergence of new variants, every effort should be made to maintain a comprehensive orthogeriatric service to minimise a negative impact on patient care.

Reconstruction of a critical-sized osseous defect is challenging in maxillofacial surgery. Despite novel treatments and advances in supportive therapies, severe complications including infection, nonunion, and malunion can still occur. Here, we aimed to assess the use of a beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffold loaded with high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB-1) as a novel critical-sized bone defect treatment in rabbits. The study was performed on 15 specific pathogen-free New Zealand rabbits divided into three groups: Group A had an osseous defect filled with a β-TCP scaffold loaded with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (100 µL/scaffold), the defect in group B was filled with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) (10 µg/100 µL), and the defect in group C was loaded with HMGB-1 (10 µg/100 µL). Micro-computed tomography (CT) examination demonstrated that group C (HMGB-1) showed the highest new bone volume ratio, with a mean value of 66.5%, followed by the group B (rhBMP-2) (31.0%), and group A (Control) (7.1%). Histological examination of the HMGB-1 treated group showed a vast area covered by lamellar and woven bone surrounding the β-TCP granule remnants. These results suggest that HMGB-1 could be an effective alternative molecule for bone regeneration in critical-sized mandibular bone defects.

The COVID-19 pandemic has captured the world’s attention, especially regarding the risk of stress. The majority of nurses experience mild and moderate levels of stress. This is because nurses are particularly at risk of being infected with COVID-19. Many of nurses feel hot and breathless because of the PPE. This research illustrates the phenomenon of psychological stress amongst nurses working during the pandemic. This research uses a quantitative descriptive research approach. The research sample was 157 nurses working in all health care facilities from various regions in Indonesia, selected using convenience sampling. The results showed a high risk of stress, with the nurses experiencing mild and moderate stress. The study concludes by suggesting the government and health care providers pay greater attention to the early detection and reduction of stress, providing sports facilities, increasing the number of nurses, regular meetings to reflect on the problems faced and psychological consulting facilities of nurses. Keywords: COVID-19 Pandemic, Nurse, Nurse Stress

Edible films and essential oil (EO) systems have the potency to enhance the microbial quality and shelf life of food. This investigation aimed to evaluate the efficacy of chitosan films including essential oils against spoilage bacteria and foodborne pathogens associated with meat. Antimicrobial activity (in vitro and in vivo) of chitosan films (CH) incorporated with oregano oil (OO) and thyme oil (TO) at 0.5 and 1% was done against spoilage bacteria and foodborne pathogens, compared to the control sample and CH alone. Preliminary experiments (in vitro) showed that the 1% OO and TO were more active against Staphylococcus aureus compared to Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium. In in vivo studies, CH containing OO and TO effectively inhibited the three foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria linked with packed beef meat which was kept at 4 °C/30 days compared to the control. The total phenolic content of the EOs was 201.52 mg GAE L−1 in thyme and 187.64 mg GAE L−1 in oregano. The antioxidant activity of thyme oil was higher than oregano oil. The results demonstrated that the shelf life of meat including CH with EOs was prolonged ~10 days compared to CH alone. Additionally, CH-OO and CH-TO have improved the sensory acceptability until 25 days, compared to the control. Results revealed that edible films made of chitosan and containing EOs improved the quality parameters and safety attributes of refrigerated or fresh meat.

Osteoblast proliferation and migration are significantly involved in bone healing, regeneration and embryonic skeletal development. Recently, reports suggest anabolic properties of High Mobility Group Box Protein 1 (HMGB1) within the subsequent phase of tissue regeneration as well as HMGB1 has been shown to be highly expressed during bone fracture and regulates osteochondral ossification. In this study, the effect of various concentrations of Recombinant Human HMGB-1 (rhHMGB-1) (50, 100,150 and 200 µg/L) on the viability and proliferation of Pre-osteoblast cells MC3T3-E1 were examined over 24, 48 and 72 hours intervals in comparison with control, untreated cells. A cell count kit (CCk-8) was used to assess osteoblast viability and proliferation, results were quantified using a microplate reader and the viability %( survival rate) was calculated. All experiments were done in triplicate and outcomes were statistically analyzed. A direct positive impact of HMGB-1 on the viability and proliferation of osteoblast cells was in a dose dependent manner. Lower concentration of HMGB-1 (50 and 100 µg/L) showed a non-significance difference in the viability and proliferation of osteoblast cells over time, however, a higher concentration of HMGB-1 (150 and 200 µg/L) showed a significant increase in the proliferation and survival rate by 1.7 fold compared to control group in the 2nd and 3rd day of treatment. No significant difference was found between the 150 and 200 µg/L concentrations which suggested the appropriate dose will be 150 µg/L. Moreover, further in vivo and in vitro investigations will be required.

This study was conducted to compare the serum level of Cortisol and Interleukin-6 (Stress Response) on eighteen clinically healthy mongrel male dogs of different ages (1-2 years old) with body weight ranged between 17-25 kg. Dogs were classified into two main groups open cholecystectomy and laparoscopic one. Anesthesia and postoperative management were identical in both groups. Serum level of cortisol was evaluated as a marker to assess surgical trauma and pain where it was measured before the operation (time 0) to obtain base line value and at 4 hours postoperatively. In addition, serum level of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was evaluated also before the operation and at 4 and 24 hours after the surgery as a marker for the degree of systemic reaction to wide range of trauma. There was a significant (P < 0.05) lower concentration of serum cortisol in the laparoscopic group at four hours postoperatively than in the open surgery group. Serum levels of IL-6 during laparoscopic cholecystectomy were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that during open cholecystectomy at 4 and 24 hrs postoperatively. The current study concluded that the laparoscopic cholecystectomy with small skin incisions with the avoidance of open laparotomy and excessive manipulation of tissues, can minimize surgical stress and provide more favorable postoperative conditions for dogs. This indicated that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is more recommendable than traditional open cholecystectomy.

A near-infrared (NIR) light-triggered drug delivery platform is produced by incorporating SrCl2 and BP nanosheets (BPs) into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) for bone regeneration. The fabricated BP-SrCl2/PLGA microspheres show efficient NIR absorption and photothermal effects due to the BPs. The NIR-triggered release behavior of Sr2+ by flawing the PLGA shells is investigated and the microspheres exhibit excellent cell viability and biodegradability. Implantation of the BP-SrCl2/PLGA microspheres into a rat femoral defect demonstrates good tissue compatibility and excellent bone regeneration capacity under NIR light irradiation. Our study indicates that local release of Sr2+ at optimal time periods controlled by NIR irradiation improves bone regeneration significantly and this NIR-triggered drug delivery system composed of BPs is suitable for therapies requiring precise control at specific time.