Background Inappropriate use of antibiotics is a public health problem of great concern. Objective To evaluate knowledge of antibiotics, race, gender and age as independent risk factors for self-medication. Setting Residents and population from different regions of Saudi Arabia. Methods We conducted a cross sectional survey study among residents. Data were collected between June 2014 to May, 2015 from 1310 participants and data were recorded anonymously. The questionnaire was randomly distributed by interview of participants and included sociodemographic characteristics, antibiotics knowledge, attitudes and behavior with respect to antibiotics usage. Main outcome measure Population aggregate scores on questions and data were analyzed using univariate logistic regression to evaluate the influence of variables on self-prescription of antibiotics. Results The response rate was 87.7 %. A cumulative 63.6 % of participants reported to have purchased antibiotics without a prescription from pharmacies; 71.1 % reported that they did not finish the antibiotic course as they felt better. The availability of antibiotics without prescription was found to be positively associated with self-medication (OR 0.238, 95 % CI 0.17-0.33). Of those who used prescribed or non-prescribed antibiotics, 44.7 % reported that they kept left-over antibiotics from the incomplete course of treatment for future need. Interestingly, 62 % of respondents who used drugs without prescription agreed with the statement that antibiotics should be access-controlled prescribed by a physician. We also found significant association between storage, knowledge/attitudes and education. Conclusions The overall level of awareness on antibiotics use among residents in Saudi Arabia is low. This mandates public health awareness intervention programs to be implemented on the use of antibiotics.
The methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha HM1-39 (ura 3 and leu 2) was used as a host strain for the expression of the Fab fragment of the MAK33 monoclonal antibody. The MAK33 antibody reacts specifically with creatine kinase-M. The cDNA of kappa and gamma chains were inserted between the FMD or MOX promoter and the MOX terminator within the expression plasmids. In addition, the secretion signal sequence of the mating factor-alpha (prepro segment) and a fragment from glucoamylase with its secretion signal peptide, were also inserted in the expression plasmids for efficient secretion and production of the MAK33 monoclonal antibody. The co-expression of kappa and gamma chains was achieved by double transformation with kappa and then with gamma chain-expressing plasmids. The cells of H. polymorpha HM1-39 showed high mitotic stability and both uracil+ and leucine+ phenotypic stability after double transformation. Northern analysis showed a high rate of transcription of either kappa or gamma chain mRNA but not both, when the cells were grown in an induction medium. Protein analysis of double-transformed cells showed the monomers of the MAK33 antibody (kappa and gamma chains) were not assembled into a heterodimeric functional form. The expressed proteins of light and heavy chains represent about 11-12% of total cell protein and are found more inside than outside the cell. The expressed monomers show antigen-binding affinity in the Ouchterlony diffusion test; and the binding activity exhibited by cell-free extract was more than that of the cell culture supernatant.
The inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes LMG 10470 occurred due to plantaricin UG1, but not to lactic acid produced by Lactobacillus plantarum UG1 or its negatie variant (BAC). Partially purified plantaricin UG1 had a higher antilisterial activity in vitro and in meat than Lactobacillus plantarum UG1 culture. Plantaricin UG1 activity was higher in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth than in minced meat. The inhibitory effect of plantaricin UG1 against L. monocytogenes LMG10470 was dependent on its concentration. The 22,880 AU/mL appeared to be an ideal meat preservative in this experiment.
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