scholarly journals Microbial food safety in Ghana: a meta-analysis

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 828-835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courage Kosi Setsoafia Saba ◽  
Bruno Gonzalez-Zorn
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Food Contamination ◽  
Food Samples ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fermented Foods ◽  
Food Research ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Contaminated Food

Introduction: Food safety is a crucial factor in the growth of developing countries worldwide. In this study, we present a meta-analysis of microbiological food safety publications from Ghana. Methodology: The search words “Ghana food safety”, “Ghana food research”, and “Ghana food bacteria” were used to search for microbiological food safety publications with related abstracts or titles in PubMed, published between 1997 and 2009. We obtained 183 research articles, from which we excluded articles concerning ready-to-eat microbial fermented foods and waterborne microorganisms as well as articles without abstracts. The criteria used for analysis of these publications were based on an assessment of methodological soundness previously developed for use in the medical field, with some modifications incorporated. Results: The most predominant bacteria in Ghanain foods are Enterobacter spp., Citrobacter spp., Klebsiella spp. and Escherichia spp., which were found to be present in 65%, 50%, 46% and 38% respectively, of the food samples considered in the studies analysed. The most contaminated food samples were macaroni, salad, and milk. Although the methodological quality of the articles was generally sound, most of them did not give directions for future research. Several did not state possible reasons for differences between studies. Conclusion: The microbiological food contamination in Ghana is alarming. However, we found that the downward trend in publications of microbial food safety articles is appalling. Hence a concerted effort in research on food safety is needed in Ghana to help curb the incidence of preventable food-borne disease.

scholarly journals Listeria monocytogenes: An emerging food-borne pathogen and its public health implications

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (02) ◽  
pp. 149-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waffa W Reda ◽  
Khaled Abdel-Moein ◽  
Ahmed Hegazi ◽  
Yasmin Mohamed ◽  
Khaled Abdel-Razik
Keyword(s):  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Food Samples ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Contaminated Food ◽  
Luncheon Meat ◽  
Stool Specimens ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Minced Meat

Introduction: Listeria monocytogenes is considered one of the most important food-borne pathogens transmitted to humans via contaminated food. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the importance of L. monocytogenes as a food-borne pathogen. Methodology: A total of 340 samples were collected from different localities in El Giza Governorate, Egypt, to check the occurrence of L. monocytogenes in that area. The collected samples comprised 250 food samples, 40 swabs from food refrigerators, and 50 stool specimens from diarrheic children. L. monocytogenes was isolated from the examined samples according to the International Organization for Standardization. The isolates were tested biochemically using Listeria Microbact 12L and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Results: The isolation rates of L. monocytogenes were 8% in beef burger, 4% in minced meat, 4% in luncheon meat, while sausage samples were all negative. Eight percent of raw milk samples were positive for L. monocytogenes, whereas cheese samples and refrigerator swabs were negative. Only Listeria grayi was isolated from human stools (2.5%). Conclusion: The high isolation rates of L. monocytogenes among the examined food stuffs highlight the crucial role of food as an important vehicle for this pathogen. More efforts should be made to ensure safe handling and processing of these foods to reduce the transmission of L. monocytogenes to humans.

scholarly journals Microplastic contamination of salt intended for human consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelos Danopoulos ◽  
Lauren Jenner ◽  
Maureen Twiddy ◽  
Jeanette M. Rotchell
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Human Health Effects ◽  
Potential Human Health

Abstract Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging contaminant ubiquitous in the environment. There is growing concern regarding potential human health effects, a major human exposure route being dietary uptake. We have undertaken a systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis to identify all relevant research on MP contamination of salt intended for human consumption. Three thousand nine hundred and nineteen papers were identified, with ten fitting the inclusion criteria. A search of the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science, from launch date to September 2020, was conducted. MP contamination of salt varied significantly between four origins, sea salt 0–1674 MPs/kg, lake salt 8–462 MPs/kg, rock and well salt 0–204 MPs/kg. The majority of samples were found to be contaminated by MPs. Corresponding potential human exposures are estimated to be 0–6110 MPs per year (for all origins), confirming salt as a carrier of MPs. A bespoke risk of bias (RoB) assessment tool was used to appraise the quality of the studies, with studies demonstrating moderate to low RoB. These results suggest that a series of recurring issues need to be addressed in future research regarding sampling, analysis and reporting to improve confidence in research findings.

Commercial Latex Agglutination Kits for the Detection of Food borne Salmonella

1991 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 725-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-Y. D'AOUST ◽  
A. M. SEWELL ◽  
P. GRECO
Keyword(s):  
Food Samples ◽  
Latex Agglutination ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
Concurrent Use ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Analytical Test ◽  
Contaminated Food ◽  
Pure Cultures ◽  
Vi Antigen

The ability of the Bactigen® Salmonella Shigella (BSST), the Microscreen® (MS), and the Spectate® (SPECT) latex agglutination kits to detect Salmonella in pure cultures and in naturally contaminated foods was examined. Of 190 Salmonella strains tested, the MS, BSST, and SPECT systems correctly identified 89.5, 81.6, and 66.3% of the test cultures, respectively. The sensitivity of SPECT increased to 92.7% when only strains belonging to the targeted serogroups (somatic A to E plus G) and strains harboring the Vi antigen were considered. The lack of specificity of the MS (3.4%), SPECT (17.0%), and BSST (33.9%) systems with 59 cultures of nonsalmonellae varied widely, with Citrobacter freundii and Escherichia coli accounting for many of the false-positive reactions. Examination of foods according to the prescribed MS and SPECT analytical test protocols identified respectively, 18 (75%) and 19 (79.2%) of the 24 food samples found to contain Salmonella spp. by a standard cultural method. Although instructions with the BSST kit indicate that the product is intended for the analysis of clinical samples, the system nevertheless identified 21 (87.5%) contaminated food samples under homologous MS and SPECT test conditions. The concurrent use of TBG43 with enrichment media recommended by kit manufactures enhanced the sensitivities of MS (83.3%), SPECT (91.7%), and BSST (91.7%). Attempts to effect greater method brevity through the application of latex kits at various stages of the standard cultural procedure were counterproductive.

scholarly journals Fermented Cereal Gruels: Towards a Solution of the Weanling's Dilemma

1991 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Patience Mensah ◽  
B. S. Drasan ◽  
T. J. Harrison ◽  
A. M. Tomkins
Keyword(s):  
Hydrocyanic Acid ◽  
Fermented Foods ◽  
Microbial Quality ◽  
Preparation Technology ◽  
Weaning Foods ◽  
Household Food ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Contaminated Food

The high incidence of diarrhoeal morbidity a the onset of weaning is due in part to consumption of contaminated food. This paper discusses the possible role of fermentation as a household food preparation technology in the improvement of the microbial quality of weaning foods as well as in providing adequate nutrients for infant growth and development. It discusses the extent to which fermented foods provide adequate nutrients; the degree to which fermentation can reduce the levels of aflatoxins, hydrocyanic acid, and other toxins in foods; whether fermentation reduces contamination of weaning foods by pathogens; and the role of fermented foods in reducing diarrhoeal morbidity, severity, and duration.

scholarly journals Anxiety and new onset of cardiovascular disease: critical review and meta-analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 208 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neeltje M. Batelaan ◽  
Adrie Seldenrijk ◽  
Mariska Bot ◽  
Anton J. L. M. van Balkom ◽  
Brenda W. J. H. Penninx
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cvd Prevention ◽  
Traditional Risk Factors ◽  
Independent Association ◽  
New Onset

BackgroundAnxiety has been associated with new-onset cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the quality of this relationship is unclear. Only if anxiety is a causal, independent cardiovascular risk factor might it be a target for CVD prevention.AimsTo determine and examine the independent association and causality between anxiety and incident CVD.MethodPubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases were searched up to October 2013. A review of Hill's criteria for causality and random effects meta-analysis were conducted of prospective, population-based studies examining anxiety and incident CVD in people free from CVD at baseline.ResultsThe meta-analysis comprised 37 papers (n= 1 565 699). The follow-up ranged from 1 to 24 years. Anxiety was associated with a 52% increased incidence of CVD (hazard ratio = 1.52, 95% CI 1.36–1.71). The risk seemed independent of traditional risk factors and depression. The evaluation of Hill's criteria largely argued in favour of causality.ConclusionsAnxiety may be of interest for CVD prevention. Future research should examine biological and behavioural underpinnings of the association in order to identify targets for intervention.

Factors Influencing Consumer Behaviour towards Store Brand: A Meta-Analysis

2012 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojun Fan ◽  
Yi Qian ◽  
Pei Huang
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Behaviour ◽  
Brand Management ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Product Category ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Store Brand ◽  
Store Brands ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Price Consciousness

In order to improve the effectiveness of store brand management, this study presents a meta-analysis that aggregates empirical findings from the literature on consumer behaviour towards store brands. First, the study provides a quantitative summary of bivariate findings regarding the way consumer-related factors influence store brand success. Second, the authors analyse the moderating effect of market context, product category and data type on store brand success. The resulting analysis suggest that price consciousness, quality consciousness, familiarity with store brands and perceived quality of store brands are the four most important factors that significantly influence consumer behaviour towards store brands. Market context and product category also exert significant moderating effects on the influence of some factors on consumer behaviour towards store brands. On the basis of these findings, this study concludes with a discussion of practical implications and possible directions for future research.

scholarly journals Quality of Research Design Moderates Effects of Grade Retention on Achievement: A Meta-Analytic, Multilevel Analysis

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 480-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiharu S. Allen ◽  
Qi Chen ◽  
Victor L. Willson ◽  
Jan N. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Grade Retention ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Design Quality ◽  
Individual Level

The present meta-analysis examines the effect of grade retention on academic outcomes and investigates systemic sources of variability in effect sizes. Using multilevel modeling (MLM), the authors investigate characteristics of 207 effect sizes across 22 studies published between 1990 and 2007 at two levels: the study (between) and individual (within) levels. Design quality is a study-level variable. Individual-level variables are median grade retained and median number of years postretention. Quality of design is associated with less negative effects. Years postretention is negatively associated with retention effects, and this effect is stronger for studies using grade comparisons versus age comparisons. The results challenge the widely held view that retention has a negative impact on achievement. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Food Research, Vol. 10 No. 6

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Bella Dong
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Neglected Diseases ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Application Form ◽  
States Department ◽  
Food Research

Journal of Food Research wishes to acknowledge the following individuals for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Their help and contributions in maintaining the quality of the journal are greatly appreciated. Journal of Food Research is recruiting reviewers for the journal. If you are interested in becoming a reviewer, we welcome you to join us. Please contact us for the application form at: [email protected] Reviewers for Volume 10, Number 6 Antonello Santini, University of Napoli "Federico II", Italy Corina-aurelia Zugravu, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Romania Elke Rauscher-Gabernig, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Austria Elsa M Goncalves, Instituto Nacional de Investigacao Agrária (INIA), Portugal Jose Maria Zubeldia, Clinical Regulatory Consultant for the HIV & Hepatitis C initiative at Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, Spain Lucas Massaro Sousa, IFP Energies Nouvelles, France Meena Somanchi, United States Department of Agriculture, United States Sefat E Khuda, Centre for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, United States Xingjun Li, Academy of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, China

scholarly journals Hospital Location Selection: A Systematic Literature Review on Methodologies and Applications

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Muhammet Gul ◽  
Ali Fuat Guneri
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Multicriteria Decision Making ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Location Selection ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Creative Studies

The increased focus of people on the quality of health care in recent years has led hospital owners to develop strategies and policies to improve medical services through the establishment of new hospitals. For hospitals to be competitive, the hospitalʼs location and proximity to potential patients are considered crucial factors in establishing new hospitals. In this context, evaluating and selecting the most suitable hospital location to establish a new hospital from the multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) perspective is a priority for the entrepreneurs or government to gain a competitive advantage. Therefore, this study aims to present a systematic literature review of the hospital location selection problem considering the applied methods and application areas. The preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis statement (PRISMA) are used as a reference framework. Initially, known electronic databases (Web of science, IEEEXplore, Scopus, Science direct, and Google Scholar) were searched up to the early 2021. A number of 47 articles are selected and analyzed under this systematic framework based on inclusion-exclusion points. State-of-the-art developments in adopting MCDM methods and their fuzzy extensions are summarized. All the articles have been examined in a systematic taxonomy to find answers to six research questions (trend, country of origin, outlet journal, MCDM methods used, MCDM environment and criteria type, and decision criteria used). Results show that (1) AHP and GIS-based MCDM models are the most contributing approaches to the solution of this problem, (2) location selection criteria are mostly cost, demand, environment, population, government, competition in the market, and distance to some important places, (3) the fuzzy structure is also preferred in addition to the MCDM structure depending on the crisp data type, and (4) the location selection criteria are mostly considered subjective. We pay attention to promising directions that can dominate future research in this field from a methodological or applicability perspective. This study shows the current views and opportunities for researchers and practitioners and acts as a guide to encourage more creative studies in this field.

scholarly journals A Cell-Based Biosensor System for Listeria monocytogenes Detection in Food

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Agni Hadjilouka ◽  
Konstantinos Loizou ◽  
Theofylaktos Apostolou ◽  
Lazaros Dougiakis ◽  
Antonios Inglezakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Food Contamination ◽  
Food Samples ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Biosensor System ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Food Substrate

Listeria monocytogenes is an intracellular bacterium that causes serious epidemic and sporadic food-borne illnesses in humans. Rapid and trustworthy methods are necessary for the detection of the pathogen to prevent potential food contamination. The aim of this study was to test a newly developed L. monocytogenes biosensor on actual food samples and validate its ability to detect the presence of pathogens robustly and accurately. The newly developed method uses a cell-based biosensor technology (BERA) and a portable device developed by EMBIO Diagnostics called B.EL.D, and provides results within 3 min. Tests were conducted on ready-to-eat lettuce salads, milk and halloumi cheese and the results indicate that the novel system was able to identify inoculated samples with 98%, 90%, and 91% accuracy, respectively. Furthermore, the limit of detection was determined to be as low as 0.6 log CFU mL−1 or g−1 in all food types. Classification of the samples Above or Below the detection limit was accessed through a newly developed algorithm for each food substrate. Samples were also analyzed with the ISO 11290-1:2017 and 11290-2:2017, in parallel. Thus, it was concluded that the newly developed biosensor can be a useful tool in the food supply chain, decreasing the required time for the detection of pathogens and increasing the number of tested samples before they reach the market.

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