External and internal chromate exposure of 103 stainless steel welders who were using manual metal are welding (MMA), metal inert gas welding (MIG) and both methods, were measured by ambient and biological monitoring. At the working places the maximum chromium trioxide concentrations were 80 micrograms/m3. The median values were 4 micrograms/m3 (MMA) and 10 micrograms/m3 (MIG). The median chromium concentrations in erythrocytes, plasma and urine of all welders were less than 0.60, 9.00 and 32.50 micrograms/l. For biological monitoring purposes, chromium levels in erythrocytes and simultaneously in plasma seem to be suitable parameters. According to our results, chromium levels in plasma and urine in the order of 10 and 40 micrograms/l seem to correspond to an external exposure of 100 micrograms chromium trioxide per cubic metre, the technical guiding concentration (TRK-value). Chromium concentrations in erythrocytes greater than 0.60 micrograms/l indicate an external chromate exposure greater than the TRK-value.

Aim: To examine powdered infant formula (PIF) and follow-up formula (FUF) for the presence of toxigenic Clostridium difficile. Materials and Methods:A total of 100 random samples of PIF and FUF, 50 samples each, from various pharmacies and supermarkets located in Assiut city were collected during 2008-2010. Results:Our results show that 16 out of 100 (16%) examined samples of PIF and FUF were contaminated with C. difficile; 4 (8%) and 12 (24%) of the examined PIF and FUF samples tested positive for C. difficile, respectively. Only two (16.67%) isolates of C. difficile from the examined FUF were toxigenic, while the isolates from the PIF samples were not toxigenic. Conclusions:The presence of C. difficile in PIF and FUF samples suggests that there is a high potential for the transmission of C. difficile through these products. Thus, proper preparation and handling of these products is required to reduce the risk of the illnesses arising due to C. difficile.

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Yersinia species are members of the Enterobacteriaceae. These bacteria have Gram-negative or Gram-variable, rodshaped cells. Yersinia regards as one of the most important food-borne agents along with ability to grow at room and refrigerator temperatures. There are several intestinal and extraintestinal clinical symptoms caused by these organisms, appearing through mild gastroenteritis, mesenteric lymphadenitis, and pseudo appendicitis. Yersiniosis is a zoonotic disease with a wide distribution and a known public health significance caused by Y. enterocolitica.One hundred and sixty marketable milk samples and some milk products including kareish cheese, Domiati cheese and small-scale ice cream were collected randomly from supermarkets, dairy farms, dairy shops, and street vendors, in Assiut city, Egypt. Selective CIN (Cefsulodin-Irgasan-Novobiocin) agar plates were used after enriched by phosphate buffered saline (PBS) supplemented with novobiocin and cefsulodin and incubated at 30 °C for 24 to 48 hours. The suspected colonies were identified by biochemical tests.A total of 33 isolates (20.63%) were identified as Yersinia species, representing Y. enterocolitica (47.5%), Y. pseudotuberculosis (7.5%), Y. pestis (17.5%) and Y. intermedia (10%).