Background: Clinical and diagnostic challenges are due to the result of a variable presentation of neonatal sepsis and bloodstream infections (BSIs) and uncertain disease epidemiology in children below five years of age. Although the criteria for achieving an adequate blood culture specimen in adults have been well described, there is much more equivocation in the pediatric population, especially for the under-five-year age group. Therefore, the present study is designed to evaluate the etiological profile of BSI among under-five children by the automated BACTEC systems. Materials and Methods: All blood culture samples received in the Department of Microbiology for culture falling in the age group were included in the study for a period of one year from 01 July 2015 to 30 June 2016 using the BD BACTEC FX except in the exclusion criteria. The blood culture was observed in the BD BACTEC FX system for at least five days before being reported as sterile. Results: A total of 1533 samples in the age group of < 5 years and suspected of BSIs were received in the Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla. Among them, 963 (62.8%) were males, while 570 (37.2%) were females. Among the total of 1533 samples, 604 (39.40%) were found positive in culture, 898 (58.57%) were negative, and 31 (2.02%) were contaminants. Among the 604 positive cases, 390 (64.6%) were men, while 214 (35.4%) were women. S. aureus was the highest among the gram-positive isolates 98 (16.22%), followed by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, group B Streptococcus, and S. pneumoniae. Among the gram-negative organisms, E. coli 80 (13.24%) was isolated mostly followed by K. pneumoniae 70 (11.58%), P. aeruginosa 68 (11.25%), Salmonella typhi 50 (8.27%), Citrobacter koseri 18 (2.98%), Acinetobacter baumannii 12 (1.98%) and a group of organisms without fermentation 86 (14.23%). Conclusion: There was quite high positivity in culture in the preschool group. Positivity was significantly high in males as compared to females. It is essential to administer appropriate and synergistic antimicrobial agents empirically early and appropriately for treating children under five-year age with BSI.

Background: Over the last few years, the use of potassium bromate in bread has been the subject of many scientific arguments in Libya. The Food and Drug Control Center in Libya banned the use of potassium bromate in bread on account of its deleterious effect and carcinogenicity in humans. However, the current research presents conflicting results on its use in bread. Aim: This study aimed to examine the knowledge and increase awareness among the population about the use of this substance in bread. In addition, it looked at some aspects of bread making in bakeries. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the general population during the period from Feb 2021 to May 2021. An electronic questionnaire was designed using Google Forms and distributed through social media. Results: A total of 500 participants responded to the electronic survey and were included in this study. 79% females and 21% males with an age range from 20–30 years. The majority of participants were from Benghazi (92%) and Libyan nationality (97%). 76% did not have any health problems, whereas 24% had some diseases. 50% of them consumed bread twice a day. Only 12% of participants had awareness about the Libyan standard for bread making, while half of them (51%) did have any knowledge, and about 38% of them did not know any information about these standards. Most of the participants (71%) did have any information about potassium bromate as a food additive. Only 31% of participants reported that potassium bromate is a banned substance, whereas around half of them (52%) did not know that. Most of the participants (65%) did not know the effects of potassium bromate on their health. The majority of them suggested that the health inspection office, municipal guard, and the Ministry of Economy have the responsibility of monitoring the use of food additives in the bakery. Conclusion: This study highlights the low level of knowledge of respondents regarding food additives, especially potassium bromate. Education programs to increase awareness among people are highly recommended. Further scientific investigations are needed.

Recently, there is a huge interest in the use of the Self-Efficacy for Appropriate Medication Use Scale (SEAMS) to evaluate perceived medication adherence across cultures. The aim of the present study was the translation as well as the cultural adaptation of the Greek version of the SEAMS. In this study, 10 patients diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing hemodialysis participated. The whole process included the steps of translation - back translation and semantic evaluation. The scale indicated very satisfactory acceptance of the translated version of the instrument, which participants considered easy to understand. After completing the process of the translation as well as the cultural adaptation in Greece, the SEAMS will be available to Greek researchers in order to measure self-efficacy for appropriate medication use as well as to compare results from Greece to those coming from other cultures, where the tool has already been validated.

Background: The purpose of this research is to study the effect of occupational therapy on the quality of life and pain self-efficacy among chronic disease patients. In this context, differences in quality of life and pain self-efficacy were investigated between patients who have followed occupational therapy and patients who have not followed the program of occupational therapy. Methods: The sample consists of 63 people, all chronic disease patients. Of the above patients, according to the research design, half received occupational therapy services at a rate of 50.8% (32 patients), while the remaining 49.2% (31 patients) did not receive them. For the data collection MVQOLI-15 and PSEQ were used. Results: We found that those receiving occupational therapy services, on average, seem to have comparatively better pain self-efficacy and overall quality of life compared to those not receiving them, while this difference is statistically significant, with the level of statistical significance amounting to α = 5%. Conclusion: The effect of occupational therapy on quality of life and pain self-efficacy in chronic disease patients is crucial.