Hygienic sanitary risk and microbiological quality of meat and meat-contact surfaces in traditional butcher shops and retail establishments- lessons from a developing country

In this study, we determined both hygienic sanitary risk and microbiological quality of raw meat and meat-contact surfaces in butcher shops and retails from the North Governorate in Lebanon. A total of 55 samples were analyzed (36 raw meat and 19 environmental swabs). The overall counts of pathogenic bacteria indicate high levels of contamination of both minced meat and contact surfaces. Presumptive Salmonella and Listeria were found in the samples. Salmonella spp. was observed in 63.8% of all cuts, of whom 41.6% is detected from butcher shops' meat. L. monocytogenes was present in 47.2% of meat from butcher shops and 30.5% of retails. Total aerobic count followed by S. aureus and fecal coliforms were the most detected pathogens in environmental swabs. Most visited facilities presented moderate hygienic sanitary risk, with average scores of 55.25 in butchers' shops and 65.25 in retail. Findings highlight the necessity for governmental surveillance and implementation of food safety laws.

The mediating effects of psychological states on the relationship of job dimensions to personal and work outcomes, for fresh graduates

Purpose

In today's challenging markets, organizations need to explore new ways to maximize employees' effectiveness and job satisfaction. Within this context, employed fresh graduates are a special group, which requires attention. Recognizing its needs in job design is one of the keys. The aim of the study is to determine the mediating role of experienced psychological states in the relationship between job dimensions and personal/work outcomes (motivation, satisfaction, effectiveness and commitment).

Design/methodology/approach

The new “modified job characteristics model” (MJCM) was implemented, where the focus was on testing if experienced psychological states play a mediating role. An index for summarizing core job dimensions (modified motivating potential score (MMPS)) was also developed in the study. For the empirical testing of the new modeling framework, a sample of 630 employed fresh graduates in Lebanon was selected. Various statistical analyses were performed, including partial correlation and multiple regression analysis.

Findings

Results showed that for those core job dimensions that significantly affected fresh graduates' personal/work outcomes, the relation was not direct causal, but was mediated by “experienced meaningfulness of the work”, “experienced responsibility for outcomes of the work”, “knowledge of results”, “self-confidence” and “prestige inside outside”. Further, MMPS was verified as a valid score reflecting the “motivating potential” of a job.

Practical implications

The findings demonstrate the importance of effectively designing and redesigning jobs: employers should focus on the core job dimensions and adopt an adjusted strategy to enhance fresh graduates' affective and behavioral responses.

Originality/value

The current study innovatively examines fresh graduates' psychological states and their role as a mediator in the relation between job dimensions and job satisfaction or commitment. A new modeling framework is used and an index for summarizing job dimensions is developed.

Comparative Study Regarding the Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Among Older Adults Living in Lebanon and Syria

The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has been associated with many health benefits. Poor adherence to MedDiet has been found among Lebanese adults, while in Syria, little is known about the adherence to MedDiet. A quantitative research approach was used, and data were collected through convenience sampling. The structure of the survey included the socio-economic and demographic data and the validated 14-point MedDiet assessment tool. The target population included 367 Lebanese and Syrian adults respectively residing in Lebanon and Syria. Descriptive statistics were used to explore the characteristics of the sample population. Adequate adherence MedDiet was determined if the Med-Diet score ≥ 9. Significant differences among the variables and the adherence to the MedDiet were examined using the chi-square test. Approximately 47.42% of participants reported adherence to MedDiet higher than 9, with a mean of 7.98. Lebanese participants, men, and those who are aged between 64 and 67, had higher adherence than Syrian participants, women, and other age groups, respectively. Lebanese participants (7.82 ± 2.32) had slightly higher adherence than Syrian participants (7.31 ± 2.04). Wine, sofrito, vegetables, and olive oil were mostly consumed by participants, with differences in consumption between the Lebanese and Syrian adults. The statistical analysis performed using the chi-square test showed no statistical difference (P>.05) between Lebanese and Syrian participants regarding their consumption of 160 red meat, butter/margarine, and sugary drinks. Future studies in the aged population are required to explore furthermore the adherence to MedDiet in Lebanon and Syria and its impact on health.

How reward systems affect team performance in banks: evidence from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of reward systems on team performance and analyze how satisfaction with rewards can result in better working performance and cohesiveness in the job environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 32 single members of different teams working in 10 selected banks from the Middle East and North Africa region.

Findings

The analysis from empirical findings reveals that there is a positive link between reward systems and team performance. More particularly, profit sharing has positive effects on team performance and collective bargaining reward systems affect significantly team cohesiveness. These links create an opportunity for employers to use reward systems as a motivating factor to direct team behavior toward more employee retention.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the teamwork performance research stream by empirically studying how rewards improve team performance and cohesiveness in Eastern contexts. Studies in such contexts are relatively rare.

Ketoconazole blocks organic osmolyte efflux independently of its effect on arachidonic acid conversion

Ketoconazole, cinnamyl-3,4-dihydroxy-alpha-cyanocinnamate, and gossypol are reported inhibitors of the lipoxygenase (LO) and cytochrome P-450 enzyme systems and are potent blockers of swelling-activated efflux of organic osmolytes and volume-sensitive anion channels in C6 glioma cells. To directly test the hypothesis that LO- or cytochrome P-450-derived products of arachidonic acid (AA) participate in the regulation of these volume-sensitive transport pathways, we incubated C6 cells with [1-14C]AA and observed the extent and profile of its conversion under basal conditions and after acute swelling. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis revealed that most (70-80%) of the labeled AA remained unchanged with only 6-8% and 10-20% of label converted to LO- [12(S)- and 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12- and 15-HETE)] and cyclooxygenase- [prostaglandin (PG) E2 and PGF2a] derived products, respectively. Leukotrienes and epoxyeicosatrienoic acid compounds were not produced. The conversion profile of [1-14C]AA was not altered substantially by cell swelling. Treatment of cells with the LO-derived products 5-, 12-, and 15-HETE or their immediate metabolic precursors, 5(S)-, 12(S)-, and 15(S)-hydroxyperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid, at 5 microM concentrations did not stimulate efflux of [3H]inositol. In addition, treatment with HETEs did not override the inhibition of efflux observed with the LO-cytochrome P-450 blocker ketoconazole. Whole cell patch-clamp experiments demonstrated that volume-sensitive anion channels, the postulated pathway for organic osmolyte efflux in C6 cells, are rapidly and reversibly blocked by ketoconazole in a fashion suggestive of direct inhibition rather than via interruption of a second messenger pathway.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Circulating hydroxy fatty acids in familial Mediterranean fever

Episodes of fever, serositis, and arthritis in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) suggested circulating mediators of acute inflammation (e.g., neutrophil activation). The mean serum neutrophil-aggregating activity of 51 FMF patients was 2.5 +/- 0.2 cm2/min, compared to 1.0 +/- 0.1 cm2/min in 20 normal controls (P less than 0.0002). Lipid extracts of FMF sera retained neutrophil-aggregating activity and had UV absorbance peaks at 269 and 279 nm, indicating the presence of lipids with a conjugated triene structure. Chromatography of extracts yielded peaks that were coeluted with reference dihydroxyicosatetraenoic acids, had UV absorbance peaks at 259, 269, and 279 nm, and possessed neutrophil-aggregating activity. The presence of leukotriene B4 was excluded by chromatography following methyl-esterification. Monohydroxy compounds identified in FMF extracts by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry included 5-hydroxyicosatetraenoic acid, and 9- and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids. Hydroxy acids were present in 19 of 31 FMF sera and absent in extracts of sera from 8 patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus, 7 with fever from infection, and 12 normal controls. The finding of circulating mono- and dihydroxy fatty acids in FMF suggests that defects in the formation or elimination of these compounds might play a role in the pathogenesis of FMF.

Stereochemistry, total synthesis, and biological activity of 14,15-dihydroxy-5,8,10,12-eicosatetraenoic acid

The stereochemistry of the major isomer of 14,15-dihydroxy-5,8,10,12-eicosatetraenoic acid formed from 15-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid in human leukocytes was determined. The structure (erythro-14(R),15(S]-14,15-dihydroxy-5,8-cis-10,12-trans-eicosatetraenoi c acid) was assigned based on sodium arsenite thin-layer chromatography, NMR spectroscopy, and comparison with material prepared by total synthesis. This compound was found to inhibit leukotriene B4-induced superoxide anion generation in human neutrophils (IC50 = 10(-8)-10(-7) M). Superoxide anion generation induced by either formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine or arachidonic acid was not affected.

Mechanisms of mediator release from neutrophils

The encounter of neutrophils with immune complexes and complement components - in the bulk phase or on a surface - leads to their secretion of lysosomal hydrolases, especially neutral proteases, which provoke tissue injury. Secretion of lysosomal enzymes and generation of reactive oxygen species (e.g., O2-. generation are stimulus-specific and can be dissected to establish cause and effect relationships by means of: a) kinetic analysis, b) variations in the stimulus, and c) use of impermeant reagents to block discrete responses. Neutrophils also generate products of 11-cyclooxygenase (e.g., PGE2, TxA2) and of the 5- and 15-lipoxygenases (mono-, di-, and tri-HETEs, LTB4, and their isomers). But the cyclooxygenase products (save TxA2) are not phlogistic by themselves: they inhibit the functions of neutrophils, platelets, macrophages, and mast cells. The most potent pro-inflammatory agent yet identified as a product of arachidonate is LTB4. LTB4 is a potent Ca ionophore, constricts airways, is a potent chemoattractant, and induces local inflammation.

Neutrophils: release of mediators of inflammation with special reference to rheumatoid arthritis

The encounter of neutrophils with immune complexes and complement components, in the bulk phase or on a surface, leads to their secretion of lysosomal hydrolases, especially neutral proteases, which provoke tissue injury. Secretion of lysosomal enzymes and generation of reactive oxygen species (e.g., O(2)) is part of a stimulus-secretion response to a variety of secretagogues, including immune complexes and complement components. However, the pathways of secretion and O(2) generation are stimulus-specific and can be dissected to establish cause and effect relationships by means of: a) kinetic analysis, b) variations in the stimulus, and c) use of impermeant reagents to block discrete responses. Neutrophils also generate products of 11-cyclooxygenase (e.g., PGE2, TxA2) and of the 5-and 15-lipoxygenases (mono-, di-, and tri-HETEs, LTB4, and their isomers). But the cyclooxygenase products (save TxA2) are not phlogistic by themselves: they inhibit the functions of neutrophils, platelets, macrophages, and mast cells. The most potent pro-inflammatory agent yet identified as a product of arachidonate is LTB4. LTB4 is a potent Ca ionophore, constricts airways, is a potent chemoattractant, and induces local inflammation.

Phosphatidate and oxidized fatty acids are calcium ionophores. Studies employing arsenazo III in liposomes

Liposomes which have entrapped the metallochromic dye, arsenazo III, constitute a sensitive assay system for ionophoresis of divalent cations. By this means we have compared known calcium ionophores (A23187, ionomycin) with membrane phospholipids, fatty acids, prostanoids, and retinoids. Added at micromolar concentrations to preformed multilamellar liposomes (phosphatidylcholine 7:dicetyl phosphate 2: cholesterol 1) both A23187 and ionomycin, as well as phosphatidic acid and products derived from linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and two eicosatrienoic acids provoked Ca influx (e.g. phosphatidic acid: 0.13 mol of Ca2+/mol of membrane lipid/5 min). A variety of other phospholipids (e.g. phosphatidylinositol), fatty acids (e.g. arachidonic acid), prostanoids (e.g. PGE1) retinoids (e.g. retinoic acid), and glyceryl ether phosphorylcholines ("platelet-activating factors") were without effect. Phosphatidic acid and oxidized fatty acids translocated divalent cations selectively, demonstrating the same rank order as A23187 or ionomycin: Mn greater than Ca greater than Sr much greater than Mg. Membrane lysis did not contribute to the perceived translocation; the liposomes remained impermeable to EDTA, EGTA, arsenazo III, or Mg. Liposomes with phosphatidic acid or oxidized trienoic acids preincorporated at 1-5 mole % of total lipids also permitted translocation of Ca but not Mg. Reduction of ionophoretic fatty acids or ionomycin with stannous chloride abolished their ionophoretic activity. Release of Ca from liposomes which had entrapped arsenazo III-Ca complexes into a medium rich in EGTA permitted calculation of efflux induced by ionophores, whether these were added to the outside of liposomes or preincorporated. Data suggest that phosphatidic acid and oxidized di- and trienoic fatty acids, which act as calcium ionophores in model bilayers, could serve as "endogenous ionophores" in cells.

A general method, employing arsenazo III in liposomes, for study of calcium ionophores: results with A23187 and prostaglandins

Multilamellar (MLV) and large unilamellar (LUV) lipid vesicles (liposomes) trap the metallochromic dye arsenazo III [2,7-bis(arsonophenylazo)-1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid ] in their aqueous compartments. When ionophore A23187 was preincorporated into either MLV or LUV above 0.001 mol%, addition of Ca to the outside of liposomes produced spectral shifts characteristic of the Ca . AIII2 complex. The method permitted detection of two molecules of A23187 per liposome. Liposomes with A23187 were permselective: divalent cations were translocated in the order Mn greater than Ca greater than Sr greater than Mg congruent to Ba. Because prostaglandins (PGs) may act as Ca ionophores, we have incorporated into MLVs and LUVs stable prostaglandins (PGE2, PGI2, PGB1), endoperoxide analogs, and a water-soluble, polymeric derivative of PGB1:PGBx. None acted as ionophore. In contrast, when added to the outside of preformed MLV or LUV, PGBx, at concentrations above 1 micro M, provoked permselective uptake of Ca equivalent to that induced by 10 nM A23187. These studies demonstrate not only that liposomes containing arsenazo III may be employed in a sensitive asssay for agents that translocate divalent cations, but that a water-soluble derivative of a naturally occurring fatty acid, PGBx, is a potent ionophore.