Drug-resistant genes spread through environment, not meat products.

New findings show that traffic from humans to animals, and back to humans via the environment,is responsible for resistant genes and as such a new focus on tackling antibiotic resistance is proposed. 

In the first study to track antibiotic resistance in intensively-farmed beef, scientists discovered a "startling" lack of resistance genes in meat. Meanwhile, in soil and feces samples from cattle pens they found genes resistant to a powerful "last resort" class of antibiotics called carpabemens that aren't used in the livestock industry.

These genes may have jumped from humans or companion animals to livestock, or could even be present at low levels in the wider environment.

 Results published in eLife suggest researchers and policy-makers need to switch focus to combat the growing problem of drug-resistant bugs. A current focus for policy-makers is to reduce antibiotic use in livestock to curb the spread of drug-resistant bugs.


The team urges that traffic from humans to animals, and back to humans via the environment, should be a new focus for research. The lack of resistance genes in post-slaughter meat samples was a big surprise for the scientists, forcing them to rethink the view that it is only antibiotic use that increases resistance.

 Environmental routes of exposure are much harder to trace and have been largely overlooked by researchers and policy-makers. While many people never step foot on working farms, we are physically connected to agriculture via waste water run-off and wind borne particulates.

 The scientists suggest investigating wind patterns and water flow to see if, and how, resistant bacteria may be disseminated, and how far.

 The researchers opined that they may observe that such dissemination is very limited geographically, or we may find that resistant bacteria can travel long distances if they find the right currents or the right waterways. In either case, this would be very important information from a public health perspective.

 The researchers collected samples from 1,741 commercial cattle. The study started in feedlots, where intensively farmed cattle are moved after grazing. A feedlot consists of outdoor pens where cattle are fattened during their final months of life.

 Samples were also taken during slaughter and from market-ready products. No previous studies have tracked antimicrobial use and resistance right through the beef production process.

The team found no resistance genes to any bacteria in market-ready beef products. They did discover changes to antibiotic resistance genes in the guts of cattle during their time in the feedlot. The changes could be due to the use of antibiotics in feedlots but could also result from adjusting to a high-energy diet or from the cattle's maturation from adolescent to adult.

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START UP @ BANANA / PLANTAIN PRODUCTION.

The health benefits of bananas/ plantain can not be overemphasized and this love can be turned to a business venture ,which is equally rewarding. Bananas/ plantain can be packaged raw and fresh or processed and packaged for sale. The business of frying and packaging plantain as snack is another topic entirely that will be discussed later. A recent interview with a farmer with plantain/banana plantation shed some more light on the planting and nurturing of the fruit.There are various species that can be cultivated, that starts fruiting at about 5 months and new varieties are also available courtesy of bio crops which fruit earlier , grow bigger and tastes better. Thinking of starting a plantation? consider this; The soil type should be virgin with added advantage if it has river-silt deposits. The soil does not have too be too deep,because banana /plantain crops are shallow rooted.The best soil type is loamy drained to 4-6 feet deep is recommended, heavy clay soils are unsuitable. The variety/specie depends on choice of the farmer as well as target market,the new improved varieties and imported varieties have been used extensively in the field. Land preparation entails,clearing the land and fell any tree on site; line and stake out so that the plantation will not be haphazard. Dig holes that should be at least 1 .5 x 1.5 x 1.5.,and note the heavier the soil the larger the planting hole. Planting usually done by rhizomes or sword suckers.The planting with rhizomes entails,using the fleshy underground part of the plant usually taken from large suckers that have not fruited.These are dug,suckers removed just above the rhizomes and all roots trimmed off. The layer rhizomes may be cut into 2 pieces each for planting one foot deep.This method gives greater yields. Bananas/plantains are sensitive to water shortage,thus keep water available to roots frequently. Application of fertilizer is important for the plantation,although the natural fertility is fully utilized but bananas grow better when sulphate of ammonia applied as top dressing during rains. Remove weeds after planting and cut smaller branches of the felled trees to give the young crops a chance to grow.Its advisable to avoid deep cultivation,which damages the shallow roots.When plants are full grown they will shade the ground and prevent growth of more weeds. Cut branches at maturity and sell-off. The number of suckers determines the yield and quality.The ideal situation is to start with one sucker and when its about half height,start a second sucker.When the second sucker is half-height,start the third and continue. If market is far from farm such as across borders or across states, cut the bunches at maturity before it ripens and store for transport to market. The bunches can be hung up from farm barn roof and then smoked to get uniform ripening. The bananas can also be stored at 68-70 F at humidity of 85%. The bunches can also be put in a pit in the ground and covered with banana leaves and leave for 3 days. plantain lover # banana love # entrepreneur # plantain chips # banana pudding.

BANANAS! BANANAS!! BANANAS!!!

. The risk of diabetes,stroke and cancer are reduced with intake of bananas. The ripe,unripe and over-ripe bananas play vital roles in health and well-being. The peels are also valuable and can be consumed along with the fruit. The skins are an even richer source of antioxidants, potassium, magnesium and resistant fiber. A study of a group of over 90,000 women, ages 50-79, was tracked for 11 years to see how their diets predicted their stroke risk. Those who had the potassium from an extra banana each day had a 25 percent reduction in their risk of stroke. Bananas are the most powerful fruit for reducing the risk of kidney cancer. A study of shows the result of monitoring 61,000 adult women,they were assessed based on their diets and monitored for kidney cancer for 13.4 years and bananas were shown to lower the risk of kidney cancer. The diabetic can benefit from the properties of bananas,but only the unripe bananas are useful.Skins from ripe bananas are edible either cooked or raw ,while skins from green bananas are edible when cooked. A study looked at how the starch from unripe bananas affected the weight of a group of obese diabetics. After four weeks of a diet high in bananas, diabetics lost significantly more weight than on a control diet. There is a difference in insulin sensitivity from a banana diet.

WHY EAT BANANAS??

Bananas are a nutritious bundle,though not many people understand the healthy code that this fruit offers.There are so many reasons to go ballistic on bananas, here are a few. 1) Rich in Potassium. Potassium is a vital nutrient because it helps to regulate blood pressure, this helps to keep the heart functioning correctly.Bones also need potassium as it helps to reduce calcium excretion, which help to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis and help to keep bones strong even in old age . 2). High in Fiber. Fiber is a natural digestive aid that helps to keep the digestive tract healthy by ensuring healthy and regular bowel movements. The fiber in bananas also help relieve the symptoms of heartburn. 3). Treatment of stomach ulcers.Bananas may be able to help protect you against stomach ulcers, or help to treat existing ones. This is due to certain compounds in bananas creating a thick protective barrier in the stomach that can help defend against the damaging effects of excess Hydrochloric acid. Bananas also contain protease-inhibitors that can help to eliminate a specific bacteria in the stomach that is found to cause ulcers to develop. 4). Rich in Many Other Nutrients such as Vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium and manganese. 5). Energy booster . Bananas contain natural compounds that help to boost the body with natural energy that is the preferred steady rate. A few fingers of banana can boost you in the morning,and keeps you charged this kind of energy is given can help to motivate you and your body to lose weight. 6). Treatment of Skin & Hair conditions. The skin of is used to treat devastating skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne. Blend the skin up with some other coconut oil of this is a great natural hair masque that can help put back some much needed moisture.It works wonders on the skin as well. 7). Stress reduction. Bananas contain tryptophan which when released into the blood stream, is converted into the serotonin. A high level of serotonin will change mood and stress levels are zero. 8).Teeth whitener. Cut a banana peel,rub the inner surface over your teeth and leave over-night and brush teeth in the morning.

EAT BANANAS AND BEAT CANCER!!!

Bananas have anticancer properties referred to as tumor necrosis factor(TNF),and the darker the banana the higher the quantity of the anticancer agent and more nutritive .Bananas are a nutritious bundle whether ripe,unripe or over ripe.Bananas have antioxidant properties that help mop up radicals which are carcinogenic. Bananas are rich in fiber, vitamin C,B6,potassium, they are very effective for ulcer treatment and are also stress busters. Bananas convert tryptophan to serotonin(the feel good hormone),thus nullifying stress. The dark spots on ripe bananas produce a substance called Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) that destroys cancerous tumors. The antioxidant levels rises as the banana ripens thus strengthening the immune system and increasing white blood cells count. Ripe bananas/over ripe bananas are eight times as effective as younger green siblings when it comes to elevating the cancer-fighting potential of white blood cells. Tumor necrosis factor is a cytokine that assists cell-to-cell communication in immune responses and directs cell movement towards inflammatory and infection sites. It interferes with the growth and spread of tumor cells and triggers cell death. When a banana ripens, the starch content consists of mainly simple, easy-to-digest sugars that elevate blood sugar levels hence diabetic individuals should monitor their intake of sugary ripe bananas.