Modeling the growth rate and lag time of different strains of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat lettuce

The growth parameters (growth rate, mu and lag time, lambda) of three different strains each of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in minimally processed lettuce (MPL) and their changes as a function of temperature were modeled. MPL were packed under modified atmosphere (5% O-2, 15% CO2 and 80% N-2), stored at 7-30 degrees C and samples collected at different time intervals were enumerated for S. enterica and L monocytogenes. Growth curves and equations describing the relationship between mu and lambda as a function of temperature were constructed using the DMFit Excel add-in and through linear regression, respectively. The predicted growth parameters for the pathogens observed in this study were compared to ComBase, Pathogen modeling program (PMP) and data from the literature. High R-2 values (0.97 and 0.93) were observed for average growth curves of different strains of pathogens grown on MPL Secondary models of mu and lambda for both pathogens followed a linear trend with high R2 values (>0.90). Root mean square error (RMSE) showed that the models obtained are accurate and suitable for modeling the growth of S. enterica and L monocytogenes in MP lettuce. The current study provides growth models for these foodborne pathogens that can be used in microbial risk assessment. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electroconvulsive Therapy in Brazil After the "Psychiatric Reform" A Public Health Problem-Example From a University Service

Objectives: The Brazilian public health system does not provide electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which is limited to a few academic services. National mental health policies are against ECT. Our objectives were to analyze critically the public policies toward ECT and present the current situation using statistics from the Institute of Psychiatry of the University of Sao Paulo (IPq-HCFMUSP) and summary data from the other 13 ECT services identified in the country. Methods: Data regarding ECT treatment at the IPq-HCFMUSP were collected from January 2009 to June 2010 (demographical, number of sessions, and diagnoses). All the data were analyzed using SPSS 19, Epic Info 2000, and Excel. Results: During this period, 331 patients were treated at IPq-HCFMUSP: 221 (67%) were from Sao Paulo city, 50 (15.2%) from Sao Paulo's metropolitan area, 39 (11.8%) from Sao Paulo's countryside, and 20 (6.1%) from other states; 7352 ECT treatments were delivered-63.0% (4629) devoted entirely via the public health system (although not funded by the federal government); the main diagnoses were a mood disorder in 86.4% and schizophrenia in 7.3% of the cases. Conclusions: There is an important lack of public assistance for ECT, affecting mainly the poor and severely ill patients. The university services are overcrowded and cannot handle all the referrals. The authors press for changes in the mental health policies.

Prevalência de anomalias congênitas associadas às fissuras labiopalatinas

Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência de anomalias congênitas associadas às fissuras labiopalatinas em crianças de 0 a 3 anos de idade. Métodos: Estudo transversal, observacional, aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa (Ofício nº 412/2011). Participaram do estudo 325 mulheres, mães biológicas de crianças com fissuras labiopalatinas de 0 a 3 anos de idade, associadas ou não a anomalias congênitas, matriculados no HRAC-USP. A média de idade das mães foi de 29 anos e mediana de 28 anos. O tamanho amostral foi segundo a “Fórmula para cálculo de tamanho de amostra - Populações infinitas”. Os resultados foram tabulados em planilha do programa computacional Microsoft® Excel, apresentados em tabelas apontando a média, mediana, frequência absoluta (fi), frequência absoluta acumulada (Fi), frequência relativa acumulada (Fr). Para a comparação entre a porcentagem do agravo na população e amostra, utilizou-se o teste estatístico “Teste Exato de Fisher”, adotando-se nível de significância de 5%. Resultado: Quanto à prevalência de anomalias congênitas associadas às fissuras labiopalatinas, 209(64,30%) crianças na faixa etária de 0 a 3 anos, apresentaram fissura labiopalatina isolada e 116(35,69%) apresentaram algum tipo de anomalia congênita associada a essas fissuras. A fissura mais prevalente foi a fissura pós-forame, apresentando-se isolada em 63 casos e associadas à anomalias em 42 casos, seguida da fissura trans-forame incisivo unilateral esquerda, sendo 17 casos isolada e 59 casos associada à anomalias. A anomalia congênita associada às fissuras mais encontrada foi a Sequencia de Pierre Robin, seguida das cardiopatias diversas e malformações de pés e mãos. Conclusão: a prevalência de anomalias congênitas associadas às fissuras labiopalatinas foi de 35,69%.