Background Antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in the gastrointestinal flora can lead to infections with limited therapeutic options. Also, the resistant bacteria can be transferred from colonized persons to others. The present study was conducted to search the fecal carriage rates of (i) Enterobacteriaceae that produce extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL-E) and/or (ii) plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamase (pAmpC-E), (iii) ciprofloxacin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CIP-RE), and (iv) carbapenem-intermediate or -resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CIRE) in Northern Cyprus. Methods A total of 500 community-dwellers were recruited from consecutive admissions to the clinical laboratories of four hospitals. One rectal swab or stool sample was collected from each participant. A questionnaire was applied to evaluate possible risk factors associated with intestinal colonization of resistant bacteria. The samples were cultured on antibiotic containing media to screen for resistant bacteria colonization. The bacterial colonies that grew on the plates were subjected to further phenotypic tests to confirm the resistance. Results Of 500 volunteers, ESBL-E, pAmpC-E, CIP-RE and CIRE carriage were detected in 107 (21.4%), 15 (3.0%), 51 (10.2%) and six (1.2%) participants, respectively. Escherichia coli was the most commonly recovered species among Enterobacteriaceae isolates. A significant proportion of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates ( n = 22/107; 20.6%) was found to be co-resistant to CIP ( p = 0.000, OR 3.21, 95% CI 1.76–5.87). In this study, higher socioeconomic status (CIP-RE: p = 0.024, OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.09–3.53), presence of gastrointestinal symptoms (CIRE: p = 0.033; OR 6.79, 95% CI 1.34–34.39), antibiotic use (ESBL-E: p = 0.031; OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.04–2.67; and CIRE: p = 0.033; OR 6.40, 95% CI 1.16–35.39), and travelling abroad (pAmpC-E: p = 0.010; OR 4.12, 95% CI 1.45–11.66) were indentified as risk factors. Conclusion The study indicates that resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates are carried by humans in the community. To prevent further spread of resistance, rational use of antibiotics should be encouraged, and antibiotic resistance should be carefully monitored in Northern Cyprus.

Moulds and Mycotoxins Associated with Cashew Fruits (Anacardium Occidentalel.) Deterioration 1. Introduction The cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is a small to medium sized tree (7-20 m length) belonging to the family Anacardiaceae. The fruit is a kidney-shaped achene about 3cm long with a hard gray-green pericarp about 0.025-0.03m length and 0.02-0.025m width. Also, it has a red or yellow pseudo-fruit with dimensions of 0.04-0.12m length. [20]. originally a native of North South America, it is now widely grown in the tropical climates for its cashew fruits and cashew seeds. The leaves are spirally arranged, leathery texture, elliptic to obviate. The flowers are produced in a panicle or corymbs up to 26cm long. The largest cashew tree covers about 7,500 square meters (81,000sq ft.). The fruits of the cashew tree are accessory fruits (sometimes called Pseudocarp or false fruits). The cashew tree can handle temperatures above 40 o C (105 o F) well. An average day temperature for growing cashew is around 25 o C (77 o F) which is mostly ideal. Cashew can be grown either by grafting or planting of seeds and can grow like weeds as long as water is available. They are fairly drought resistant and can grow well even on marginal soil for where other fruit trees would fail. But the best soil for growing cashew is the sandy soils, well drain and free from strong wind. The plants are perennial and they produce

Field experiment for this research was conducted at Gidan Mangoro village, Bosso local government area of Niger State to evaluate some indigenous pepper accessions such