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Free-range chickens are infected by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) mainly when they pick-up their food from the ground. The present study was performed to estimate the molecular prevalence of T. gondii in free-range chicken meat (breast and thigh muscles) and their offal (heart and gizzard). The molecular characterization and the phylogeny of T. gondii amplicons were also investigated. Two PCRs were compared, the first targeting B1 gene and a nested PCR targeting the internal transcribed spacer ITS-1 gene. Among the 60 tested birds, 47 free-range chickens had at least one positive PCR, i.e., a prevalence of 78.3% (95% CI: 67.9–88.7%). The prevalence of T. gondii infection in muscles and organs analyzed by specific PCR targeting B1 gene (43.3%; 95% CI: 37–49.6%) was significantly higher than those analyzed for ITS-1 gene detection (15%; 95%CI: 10.4–19.5%) (p < 0.001). Heart samples had the highest T. gondii infection prevalence, as well as targeting either B1 gene (48.3%; 95% CI: 35.6–60.9%) or ITS-1 gene (21.6%; 95% CI: 11.2–32%). The present study showed that the consumption of undercooked free-range chicken meat represents a high risk for seronegative pregnant women. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed homology with wild and domestic birds and domestic mammals and a large geographic distribution.

Non-typhoid Salmonella is one of the major causes of food-borne infections worldwide. The aim of the current study is to determine the serotype occurrence, virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella isolated from hospitalized patients. The identification of Salmonella strains was performed according to REMIC, 2018. The susceptibility of Salmonella isolates was assessed against 20 antimicrobials using the disk diffusion method. Some virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes were identified using PCR. Among the 61 isolated Salmonella strains, seven serotypes were identified and all were positive for the virulence genes invA, mgtC and sirA. Critical resistance rates (>40%) were detected for tetracycline, nalidixic acid, amoxicillin and fluoroquinolones. However, resistances to ertapenem, ceftazidim, aztreonam and colistin were null. In addition, 33% of the isolated strains were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Moreover, 80% and 60% of S. Kentucky isolates were identified as fluoroquinolone-resistant and MDR strains, respectively. The qnrB gene was amplified in 63.2% of fluoroquinolone-resistant strains. The dfrA1 gene was identified in 20% (4/20) of the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistant strains and the integrase Class 2 gene was amplified in only 8.2% (5/61) of the isolates. Our findings highlight the emergence of MDR Salmonella isolates. A rationalization of antimicrobial use is urgently recommended in both human and veterinary medicine.

Metal cans, while boasting excellent barrier properties, raise concerns about leaching and environmental impacts. This study explored plastic trays, a potential alternative for canned food packaging. First we delved into the plastic tray’s characteristics, including its composition and permeability to oxygen and water vapor. Secondly, we conducted a comparison between the newly introduced plastic packaging and traditional metal cans, focusing on their interactions with food during the sterilization process and their effects on the quality of Tunisian pea sauce. The composition analysis revealed that the plastic tray was composed of polypropylene (PP) (with a single endothermic peak at 168 °C), while the film was found to have a mixture of PP internally and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) externally (with two endothermic peaks at 161.96 °C and 243.81 °C). Plastic trays showed good results in water vapor permeability (0.832 g/m2.d) but exhibited higher oxygen permeability (190 g/m2.d), raising oxidation concerns. Migration testing confirmed plastic packaging safety (<10 mg/dm2), while some simulants exceeded limits in metal cans. pH levels remained consistent between both packaging types, but varied significantly over a 28-day storage. Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen (TVBN) levels differed significantly between plastic and metal packaging, with notable variations observed over time with maximums of 0.3 mg/100 g for plastic trays and 0.17 mg/100 g for metal cans. Sensory evaluation revealed that tasters were adept at differentiating between canned pea sauce in plastic trays and metal cans (83%, 10/12), with taste and color exhibiting significant differences (p < 0.05). This underlines the impact of packaging material on canned food quality and consumer preference, with minimal influence on other sensory aspects. This data empowers manufacturers to make informed packaging decisions for a diverse range of canned foods.

Non-typhoid Salmonella is one of the major causes of food-borne infections worldwide. The aim of the current study is to determine the serotype occurrence, virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella isolated from hospitalized patients. The identification of Salmonella strains was performed according to REMIC, 2018. The susceptibility of Salmonella isolates was assessed against 20 antimicrobials using the disk diffusion method. Some virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes were identified using PCR. Among the 61 isolated Salmonella strains, seven serotypes were identified and all were positive for the virulence genes invA, mgtC and sirA. Critical resistance rates (>40%) were detected for tetracycline, nalidixic acid, amoxicillin and fluoroquinolones. However, resistances to ertapenem, ceftazidim, aztreonam and colistin were null. In addition, 33% of the isolated strains were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Moreover, 80% and 60% of S. Kentucky isolates were identified as fluoroquinolone-resistant and MDR strains, respectively. The qnrB gene was amplified in 63.2% of fluoroquinolone-resistant strains. The dfrA1 gene was identified in 20% (4/20) of the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistant strains and the integrase Class 2 gene was amplified in only 8.2% (5/61) of the isolates. Our findings highlight the emergence of MDR Salmonella isolates. A rationalization of antimicrobial use is urgently recommended in both human and veterinary medicine.

This study reports the development of a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for phosphate ion detection, utilizing silicon nanowires (SiNWs) as the transducing elements and a novel copper (II) phthalocyanine-acrylate polymer adduct (Cu (II) Pc-PAA) as the functional sensing layer. Silicon nanowires were fabricated via metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) with etching durations of 15, 25, 35, 45, and 60 min. The SiNWs etched for 15 min exhibited the highest sensitivity, showing superior electrochemical performance. Functionalized SiNWs were systematically evaluated for phosphate ion (HPO42−) detection over a wide concentration range (10−10 to 10−6 M) using Mott–Schottky measurements. The surface morphology of the SiNWs was thoroughly characterized before and after Cu (II) Pc-PAA layer functionalization. The sensing material was analyzed using contact angle goniometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confirming both its uniform distribution and effective immobilization. The sensor displayed a Nernstian behavior with a sensitivity of 28.25 mV/Decade and an exceptionally low limit of detection (LOD) of 1.5 nM. Furthermore, the capacitive sensor exhibited remarkable selectivity toward phosphate ions, even in the presence of potentially interfering anions such as Cl−, NO3−, SO42− and ClO4−. These results confirm the sensor’s high sensitivity, selectivity, and fast response, underscoring its suitability for environmental phosphate ion monitoring.

This paper aims at presenting a numerical study of the behaviour of Tunis soft soil improved by vacuum consolidation combined with geodrains. An experimental investigation was carried out on reconstituted samples of Tunis soft soil (TSS) initially extracted from the centre of Tunis city at 35 m of depth. Three consolidation tests were carried out in a cell of 126-mm inner diameter and 290-mm height, the first one included a consolidation test by preload stress (q = 100 kPa). In the second test, vacuum consolidation tests (p v =100 kPa) were performed. The third test comprised a vacuum consolidation test combined with the preload (p v =50 kPa and q = 50 kPa). Simulation of those tests by the finite-element PLAXIS-2D code was implemented in axisymmetric conditions. Soft soil model was used to describe the behavior of Tunis soft soil (TSS). During this simulation, a parametric study was performed by varying the horizontal permeability k h of TSS. Then, by comparing the numerical results to the recorded data in laboratory, it has been verified that the numerical predicted settlements are higher than those measured during the performed laboratory tests. Further, numerical results confirmed that when the coefficient k h increases, the consolidation is complete in a shorter time. This work highlighted the usefulness of combining the vacuum pressure and geodrains improvement techniques to improve the behaviour of Tunis soft soil.

SnSb4S7 thin films were deposited on glass substrate by vacuum thermal evaporation method. The effect of annealing on the structural and electrical properties of the SnSb4S7 thin films was investigated. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the powder crystallized in monoclinic structure with a preferred orientation along ( 2 ¯ 1 3 ¯ ) plane. SnSb4S7 thin films are polycrystalline in nature and the average grain size increases by increasing annealing temperature. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the surface morphology of the layers. Electrical properties have been investigated by ac impedance spectroscopy over a wide range of temperature up to 673 K starting from room temperature in the frequency range 5 Hz–13 MHz. The complex impedance plots display one semicircle with equivalent circuit functions as typical parallel RC. By increasing the temperature, the Impedance spectroscopy analysis shows that the resistance decreases from 10 7  Ω to 10 4  Ω. In addition, the analysis of conductivity indicates that both AC and DC conductivities of materials increase with increasing temperature The activation energy values calculated from DC conductivity and angular frequency relaxation are almost identical, indicating that the conduction mechanism was thermally activated and was assured by hopping between localized states.

(ProQuest: ... denotes formulae and/or non-USASCII text omitted; see image).SnSb4S7 thin films were deposited on glass substrate by vacuum thermal evaporation method. The effect of annealing on the structural and electrical properties of the SnSb4S7 thin films was investigated. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the powder crystallized in monoclinic structure with a preferred orientation along (...) plane. SnSb4S7 thin films are polycrystalline in nature and the average grain size increases by increasing annealing temperature. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the surface morphology of the layers. Electrical properties have been investigated by ac impedance spectroscopy over a wide range of temperature up to 673 K starting from room temperature in the frequency range 5 Hz-13 MHz. The complex impedance plots display one semicircle with equivalent circuit functions as typical parallel RC. By increasing the temperature, the Impedance spectroscopy analysis shows that the resistance decreases from 10 super(7) Omega to 10 super(4) Omega . In addition, the analysis of conductivity indicates that both AC and DC conductivities of materials increase with increasing temperature The activation energy values calculated from DC conductivity and angular frequency relaxation are almost identical, indicating that the conduction mechanism was thermally activated and was assured by hopping between localized states.

(ProQuest: ... denotes formulae and/or non-USASCII text omitted; see image) SnSb4S7 thin films were deposited on glass substrate by vacuum thermal evaporation method. The effect of annealing on the structural and electrical properties of the SnSb4S7 thin films was investigated. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the powder crystallized in monoclinic structure with a preferred orientation along (...) plane. SnSb4S7 thin films are polycrystalline in nature and the average grain size increases by increasing annealing temperature. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the surface morphology of the layers. Electrical properties have been investigated by ac impedance spectroscopy over a wide range of temperature up to 673 K starting from room temperature in the frequency range 5 Hz-13 MHz. The complex impedance plots display one semicircle with equivalent circuit functions as typical parallel RC. By increasing the temperature, the Impedance spectroscopy analysis shows that the resistance decreases from 10^sup 7^ [Omega] to 10^sup 4^ [Omega]. In addition, the analysis of conductivity indicates that both AC and DC conductivities of materials increase with increasing temperature The activation energy values calculated from DC conductivity and angular frequency relaxation are almost identical, indicating that the conduction mechanism was thermally activated and was assured by hopping between localized states.