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Multifold sonicated dilutions of albumin with fifty percent dextrose improve left ventricular contrast videointensity after intravenous injection in human beings.

An intravenous injection of a onefold dilution of sonicated albumin with 50% dextrose improves echocardiographic left ventricular cavitary opacification in dogs compared with sonicated albumin. The objective of this study was to determine whether sonicated dilutions of albumin with dextrose would improve left ventricular videointensity after intravenous injection in humans and to delineate what ratio of albumin with dextrose results in optimal left ventricular cavitary opacification. We gave intravenous injections (randomized) of sonicated albumin and three different dilutions of albumin with 50% dextrose sonicated at different time intervals (onefold, threefold, and sevenfold dilutions sonicated albumin for 40 seconds and threefold and sevenfold dilutions sonicated albumin for 80 to 100 seconds) to 10 healthy human volunteers. End-diastolic and end-systolic videointensity and mean transit time from the mid-left ventricular cavity were compared after an 8.0 ml intravenous injection of all six samples. The threefold and sevenfold dilutions sonicated for 80 to 100 seconds produced microbubble concentrations similar to those of sonicated albumin but with significantly larger (5.6 microns versus 4.7 microns for sonicated albumin) size. These dilutions produced significantly higher end-diastolic and end-systolic videointensity, area under the time-intensity curve, and mean transit time compared with sonicated albumin or any of the dilutions sonicated for 40 seconds (p < or = 0.005). These data suggest that multifold dilutions of albumin with dextrose produce improved ultrasound contrast.

Adult↗

[Changes of pulse rate caused by sonic bomms during sleep (author's transl)].

In two experimental series (19 resp. 53 nights, 2 different persons in each series, test-time 10.30 p.m. to 3.00 a.m.) pulse rate after sonic booms had been recorded during sleep. In the first 3 nights the subjects slept undisturbed by noise. In the following 11 resp. 30 nights sonic booms were applied alternately 2 or 4 times. In the main series after 10 more nights without any noise 4 nights with 8 and 16 sonic booms alternately followed. The last 6 undisturbed nights in both series were used as comparison phase. The interval between two sonic booms was 40 min in nights with 2 booms, 20 min in nights with 4 sonic booms and in the nights with 8 and 16 sonic booms 8.6 resp. 4.6 min. Sound level of the sonic booms ranged from 0.48 mbar to 1.45 mbar, 1 mbar [83.5 dB (A)] in the average. The first sonic boom was applied if one of the two subjects had entered the deepest stage of sleep. Sonic booms induced a biphasic reaction in pulse rate. After an initial increase in frequency with a maximum in the 4th sec pulse rate decreased below the value before sonic boom; it was followed by a slow increase towards the baseline value. This reaction was analysed with special regard to the following factors: 1. Intensity. Due to very fast increase of noise intensity there was no significant correlation between the intensity of sonic boom and the pulse reaction. 2. Exogenic variables. There is no significant connection between postboom pulse rate and noiseless time before the sonic boom, the duration of the test series and the ambient temperature. 3. Endogenic variables. No correlation could be found between the stage of sleep and the reaction. On the contrary a very significant correlation was found between the maximum of postboom increase of pulse rate and the pulse rate before boom. With increasing pulse rate the extent of reaction becomes smaller.

Aircraft↗

Oxygen radical scavengers inhibit clastogenic activity induced by sonication of human serum.

Clastogenic factors (CF) are diffusible molecules that damage DNA. They are generated within biological media by a variety of physical and chemical stimuli. Their nature and mechanism of action remain largely unknown. Clastogenic activity can be experimentally generated by pulsed ultrasound treatment of human serum. To investigate whether oxygen radicals are involved in the clastogenic activity induced by sonication of human serum, we examined the effects on such clastogenic activity of different oxygen radical scavengers added to human serum before and after sonication. Human serum was sonicated for 50 min at 24 microW/cm2 by pulsed ultrasound. The clastogenic activity of sonicated human serum was examined in the presence or absence of oxygen radical scavengers by measuring the amount of DNA damage induced in autologous human lymphocytes, assessed with the fluorometric analysis of DNA unwinding (FADU). Sonication of human serum generated significant DNA damage in autologous lymphocytes (DNA unwinding averaged 31.79% +/- 2.1 after sonication vs. 12.82% +/- 2.6 in the controls, p < 0.005). Superoxide dismutase (SOD; 500 I.U./ml), catalase (500 I.U./ml), mannitol (50 mM), and glutathione (50 mM) completely prevented DNA damage when added before serum sonication, whereas only mannitol (86%) and glutathione (90%) almost completely inhibited DNA damage when added after sonication. SOD and catalase had only a partial inhibitory effect when added after sonication (49% and 63%, respectively). The prevention of DNA damage was also obtained by an association of subliminal amounts of glutathione (20 mM) and vitamin E (1 I.U./ml). These results suggest that the clastogenic activity generated by sonication of human serum is mediated by oxygen radicals.

Antimutagenic Agents↗

Inactivation of lysozyme by sonication under conditions relevant to microencapsulation.

Controlled release dosage forms of proteins and other biomolecules can be prepared by microencapsulating them in polymeric microspheres. Proteins are subjected to potentially damaging effects of sonication and exposure to organic solvents during the microencapsulation process. The relatively stable enzyme lysozyme was dissolved in aqueous buffer and sonicated in the presence of methylene chloride to mimic the initial step of the microencapsulation process. The stability of lysozyme was evaluated by determining the enzyme activity before and after sonication, size-exclusion chromatography, native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and by measuring the amount of precipitates formed. Following sonication, the total protein introduced was distributed between a soluble and an insoluble fraction. Sonication of lysozyme solutions in the presence of methylene chloride led to an increase in precipitates. The precipitates were enzymatically inactive, did not dissolve easily, and were held by non-covalent interactions. No fragments or aggregates of lysozyme were detectable in the soluble fraction. Sonicating aqueous lysozyme solutions with and without methylene chloride decreased the specific activity of the enzyme in the soluble fraction. Excipients such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), mannitol, sucrose, and tween 80 were included in the sonication mixtures containing lysozyme. With the exception of tween 80, the addition of the excipients to aqueous solutions of lysozyme led to a greater decrease in the specific activity of lysozyme when sonicated in the presence of methylene chloride. DMSO caused the greatest loss of enzyme activity following sonication. Sonication of lysozyme with water, methylene chloride, and DMSO yielded methyl radicals, which were trapped with alpha-phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone and detected by ESR spectroscopy.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Sonication-assisted extraction of chitin from shells of fresh water prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii).

The effect of sonication during chitin extraction from freshwater prawn shells on yield, purity, and crystallinity of chitin was investigated. Dry prawn shells were suspended for 4 h in 0.25 M HCl at 40 degrees C while they were sonicated for 0, 1, and 4 h. Demineralized shells were lyophilized, resuspended in 0.25 M NaOH, and sonicated again for 0, 1, and 4 h for protein removal. The yield of chitin decreased from 8.28 to 5.02% for nonsonicated and sonicated samples, respectively, which was attributed to losses of depolymerized materials in the wash water. The application of ultrasound enhanced the removal of proteins. In nontreated shells, the amount of protein was 44.01% and was reduced to 12.55, 10.59, and 7.45% after 0, 1, and 4 h of sonication treatments. The glucosamine content slightly decreased with sonication probably because of losses due to depolymerization. The crystallinity indices of chitins decreased as the time of sonication increased. The degree of acetylation of chitins was unaffected by sonication, but the degree of acetylation of chitosans produced from sonicated chitin decreased from 70.0 to 68.7 and 61.4% for 1 and 4 h sonicated samples, respectively.

Acetylation↗

Effectiveness of a sonic toothbrush in maintenance of dental implants. A prospective study.

This study assessed the efficacy of a sonic and a manual toothbrush in reducing plaque and gingivitis around dental implants. Subjects were randomly assigned to either sonic (n = 16) or manual (n = 15) study groups. Groups were balanced according to baseline levels of plaque and gingivitis. The plaque (PI), gingival (GI), and bleeding (BI) indices as well as probing depths were determined at baseline, and at 4, 8, 12, and 24 week follow-up visits. Mean scores per person were calculated for each clinical parameter. Oral hygiene habits, compliance and acceptance were also evaluated over the study period. Within group comparisons from baseline throughout the study, as well as between group comparisons (i.e., sonic versus manual), were determined. Overall, plaque, gingival, and bleeding indices in both groups were lower at each follow-up visit when compared to the baseline. Within group comparisons demonstrated that both the sonic toothbrush subjects and the manual toothbrush subjects had significantly lower PI, GI, and BI scores at each post-baseline visit (4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks) than at baseline (p<0.005). In addition, the sonic toothbrush subjects also had significantly lower probing depths at each post-baseline visit than at baseline (p < 0.005). Between group comparisons demonstrated that the sonic toothbrush subjects over time had significantly lower PI and BI scores around dental implants than the manual toothbrush subjects (Repeated measures MANOVA; PI, p = 0.01; BI, p = 0.017). The sonic toothbrush subjects had lower GI scores and reduced probing depths over time when compared to manual toothbrush subjects but these scores were not statistically significant (GI; probing depth, p > 0.05). No implant problems (e.g., loose screws) were attributable to the sonic toothbrush. Relevant to oral hygiene habits, subjects in both groups demonstrated a high level of compliance with their assigned toothbrush. Overall, the results of this study demonstrated that sonic toothbrushing significantly reduced plaque, gingival inflammation and bleeding, and probing pocket depths around implants over the 6-month trial period. It is concluded that sonic brushing is an effective means of dental implant maintenance.

Adolescent↗

Effects of sonication of clinical specimens on detection of cytomegalovirus in shell vial cultures.

BACKGROUND: The centrifugation-enhanced shell vial (SV) method of virus culturing has decreased the time to laboratory detection of many viruses, and has become the principal method for the rapid detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in clinical specimens. OBJECTIVES: To examine the use of sonication and centrifugation of clinical specimens as a means of optimizing the sensitivity of SV detection of CMV, decreasing the toxicity of specimens to the SV monolayer, and facilitating the examination and interpretation of SV monolayers. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 350 clinical specimens submitted for CMV culture were processed and then divided in half, with one-half sonicated for 1 min in a cup-horn-equipped sonicator, and the other half left unsonicated. Sonicated specimens were centrifuged to recover a cell-free supernatant. SVs containing MRC-5 fibroblast monolayers were inoculated with either the unsonicated whole specimen or the cell-free supernatant, and were stained with monoclonal antibodies directed against the immediate-early antigen of CMV after 24 and 48 h of incubation. RESULTS: While no significant difference was observed in the overall number of specimens in which CMV was detected following sonication, sonication did afford a 31% increase in the number of CMV-positive specimens detected at 24 h. A significant reduction in toxicity of all specimens except for blood was observed for the sonicated specimens, although sonication of blood increased the number of blood specimens toxic to the monolayer by 40%. Use of the cell-free inoculum following sonication facilitated microscopic examination and interpretation of SV monolayers without adversely affecting the sensitivity of the culture. CONCLUSIONS: Sonication of clinical specimens prior to shell vial culturing for CMV is beneficial and can help to reduce specimen toxicity, facilitate interpretation of monolayers, and allow the earlier detection of a positive specimen.

Journal Article↗

Red drop in the quantum yield of fluorescence of sonicated algae.

The change of the quantum yield of fluorescence, Phi, with the frequency of exciting light, was investigated in Chlorella, Anacystis, and Porphyridium suspensions, and in sonicates from these cells prepared under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In case of Chlorella, sonicates were made in acid and in alkaline media (pH 4.65 and 7.80). In the alkaline medium, a drop of Phi towards the longer waves was found to begin at 1.466 x 10(4) cm(-1) (682 nm) in sonicates, and in suspension. In the acid medium, the drop began at 1.471 x 10(4) cm(-1) (680 nm), 1.418 x 10(4) cm(-1) (705 nm), and 1.389 x 10(4) cm(-1) (720 nm) in suspension, anaerobic sonicate, and aerobic sonicate, respectively. The results indicate that the cause of the change in the red drop is preferential destruction of a long-wave component of chlorophyll a (such as Chl a 693). The amount of this component remaining after sonication is larger in alkaline than in acid sonicates. With Anacystis and Porphyridium, only alkaline suspensions (pH 7.80) could be used for sonication, because in acid medium, the phycobilin-chlorophyll complex is rapidly broken and phycobilin extracted from the cell. In Anacystis, the red drop begins at 1.562 x 10(4) cm(-1) (640 nm) and 1.538 x 10(4) cm(-1) (650 nm) in suspension and sonicate, respectively; in Porphyridium, it starts at 1.550 x 10(4) cm(-1) (645 nm) in both cases. These results suggest that sonication in alkaline medium (pH 7.80) destroys some Chl a 693 in Anacystis, but not in Porphyridium.

Eukaryota↗

The NH2-terminal region of the active domain of sonic hedgehog is necessary for its signal transduction.

The NH2-terminal domain of sonic hedgehog (residue 25-198) was expressed in both yeast and animal cells. The yeast-derived NH2-terminal domain of sonic hedgehog was less active by far than the animal cell-derived counterpart. The yeast-derived NH2-terminal domain of sonic hedgehog lacked 10 amino acids from the NH2-terminus. This cleavage of the yeast-derived NH2-terminal domain of sonic hedgehog might due to Kex 2. In contrast, a mutant yeast-derived NH2-terminal domain of sonic hedgehog (Lys-33 to Thr) retained its NH2-terminus and its activity was comparable to that of the animal cell-derived NH2-terminal domain of sonic hedgehog. The NH2-terminal deleted NH2-terminal domain of sonic hedgehog completely lost its activity, nevertheless it inhibited the alkaline phosphatase activity induced by the animal cell-derived NH2-terminal domain of sonic hedgehog in a dose-dependent manner. These data suggest that the NH2-terminal deleted NH2-terminal domain of sonic hedgehog retains a receptor-binding ability and that the NH2-terminal peptide of the NH2-terminal domain of sonic hedgehog is necessary for its signal transduction.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Sonicated X-ray contrast agents for quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography--a critical approach.

Contrast echocardiography with sonicated radiographic contrast agents has been used for the qualitative and quantitative determination of myocardial blood flow. One major problem has been the size of the microbubbles since only bubbles smaller than 8 microns are expected to pass the capillary bed and larger bubbles may obstruct the capillaries and, thus, alter myocardial blood flow. These techniques have been used for several years, but their reliability has not yet been assessed accurately. Five different methods for the production of sonicated radiographic contrast agents (methods 1-3 from the literature, and 4 and 5 from our laboratory; M1-5) were evaluated for their use in quantitative contrast echocardiography. The sonication of non-ionic X-ray contrast media was performed with a standard titanium probe (20 kHz) for methods 1-4, with variation in the sonication time and the number of sonication jets used for each method. In M5, we used bubbles that were produced by the insufflation of oxygen in the X-ray contrast agent; large (> 8 microns) bubbles were destroyed by sonication at 380 kHz (resonance method). Mean bubble size was determined by computerized videomicroscopy. The effect of bubble size on the backscatter of the ultrasonic signal was calculated for each method. Mean bubble size (+/- 1 SD) ranged between 11.5 +/- 4 microns and 16.1 +/- 14 microns for M1-M5. The best values, i.e., the smallest bubbles, were found with M4 (prepressurized contrast medium). Assuming capillary passage for bubbles smaller than 8 microns, only 14%-48% of the bubbles were smaller than 8 microns (M1-M5). The best results with regard to bubble size (< or = 8 microns) were observed with M5 (48% < or = 8 microns). In regard to the influence of bubble size on the backscatter of the ultrasonic signal, 56%-98.5% of the signal was produced by bubbles larger than 15 microns (M1-5) but the best results were obtained with M4. It is concluded that capillary-passage of sonicated microbubbles (< or = 8 microns) can be expected in only 14%-48% of the bubbles for the five different sonication techniques. More than 50% of all microbubbles produced by these techniques are larger than the expected 8 microns. These large bubbles are responsible for the backscatter of the ultrasonic signal in the vast majority of cases. Thus, the sonication of radiographic contrast agents appears to be inappropriate for the production of uniformly small microbubbles and, thus, this method is not suitable for quantitative measurements of coronary blood flow.

Contrast Media↗

Axial (HNF3beta) and retinoic acid receptors are regulators of the zebrafish sonic hedgehog promoter.

The signalling molecule Sonic hedgehog is involved in a multitude of distinct patterning processes during vertebrate embryogenesis. In the nascent body axis of the zebrafish embryo, sonic hedgehog is co-expressed with axial (HNF3beta in mammals), a transcription regulator of the winged helix family. We show here that misexpression of axial leads to ectopic activation of sonic hedgehog expression in the zebrafish, suggesting that axial is a regulator of sonic hedgehog transcription. The sonic hedgehog gene was cloned from zebrafish and its promoter was characterized with respect to activation by axial. Expression of axial or rat HNF3beta in HeLa cells results in activation of co-transfected sonic hedgehog promoter-CAT fusion genes. This effect is mediated by two Axial (HNF3beta) recognition sequences. We furthermore identified a retinoic acid response element (RARE) in the sonic hedgehog upstream region which can be bound by retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR) heterodimers in vitro and confers retinoic acid inducibility to the sonic hedgehog promoter in the HeLa cell system. Our results suggest that both Axial (HNF3beta) and retinoic acid receptors are direct regulators of the sonic hedgehog gene.

Animals↗

Conservation in hedgehog signaling: induction of a chicken patched homolog by Sonic hedgehog in the developing limb.

Hedgehog genes have been implicated in inductive signaling during development in a variety of organisms. A key element of the hedgehog signaling system is encoded by the gene patched. In Drosophila hedgehog regulates gene expression by antagonizing the action of patched. In addition, patched is itself a transcriptional target of hedgehog signaling. We have isolated a chicken patched homolog and find it to be strongly expressed adjacent to all tissues where members of the hedgehog family are expressed. As in Drosophila, ectopic expression of Sonic hedgehog leads to ectopic induction of chicken Patched. Based on this regulatory conservation, vertebrate Patched is likely to be directly downstream of Sonic hedgehog signaling. An important role of Sonic hedgehog is the regulation of anterior/posterior pattern in the developing limb bud. Since Patched is directly downstream of the hedgehog signal, the extent of high level Patched expression provides a measure of the distance that Sonic hedgehog diffuses and directly acts. On this basis, we find that Sonic hedgehog directly acts as a signal over only the posterior third of the limb bud. During limb patterning, secondary signals are secreted in both the mesoderm (e.g. Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2) and apical ectodermal ridge (e.g. Fibroblast Growth Factor-4) in response to Sonic hedgehog. Thus knowing which is the direct target tissue is essential for unraveling the molecular patterning of the limb. The expression of Patched provides a strong indication that the mesoderm and not the ectoderm is the direct target of Sonic hedgehog signaling in the limb bud. Finally we demonstrate that induction of Patched requires Sonic hedgehog but, unlike Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 and Hox genes, does not require Fibroblast Growth Factor as a co-inducer. It is therefore a more direct target of Sonic hedgehog than previously reported patterning genes.

Animals↗

Control of somite patterning by Sonic hedgehog and its downstream signal response genes.

In the avian embryo, previous work has demonstrated that the notochord provides inductive signals to activate myoD and pax1 regulatory genes, which are expressed in the dorsal and ventral somite cells that give rise to myotomal and sclerotomal lineages. Here, we present bead implantation and antisense inhibition experiments that show that Sonic hedgehog is both a sufficient and essential notochord signal molecule for myoD and pax1 activation in somites. Furthermore, we show that genes of the Sonic hedgehog signal response pathway, specifically patched, the Sonic hedgehog receptor, and gli and gli2/4, zinc-finger transcription factors, are activated in coordination with somite formation, establishing that Sonic hedgehog response genes play a regulatory role in coordinating the response of somites to the constitutive notochord Sonic hedgehog signal. Furthermore, the expression of patched, gli and gli2/4 is differentially patterned in the somite, providing mechanisms for differentially transducing the Sonic hedgehog signal to the myotomal and sclerotomal lineages. Finally, we show that the activation of gli2/4 is controlled by the process of somite formation and signals from the surface ectoderm, whereas upregulation of patched and activation of gli is controlled by the process of somite formation and a Sonic hedgehog signal. The Sonic hedgehog signal response genes, therefore, have important functions in regulating the initiation of the Sonic hedgehog response in newly forming somites and in regulating the patterned expression of myoD and pax1 in the myotomal and sclerotomal lineages following somite formation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interaction of diagnostic ultrasound with synthetic oligonucleotide-labeled perfluorocarbon-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin microbubbles.

The purpose of this study was to determine, first, whether the albumin on perfluorocarbon-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin microbubbles has retained its known ability to bind antisense oligonucleotides (DNA utilized to inhibit viral replication and intimal hyperplasia). The binding kinetics of synthetic antisense oligonucleotides to perfluorocarbon-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin microbubbles as well as to room air-containing sonicated dextrose albumin microbubbles were compared. Second, the effect of diagnostic ultrasound on this binding is unknown. The ability of diagnostic ultrasound to release synthetic antisense oligonucleotides from perfluorocarbon-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin microbubbles also was tested in vitro and in vivo in three dogs. Synthetic antisense oligonucleotides exhibited binding to perfluorocarbon-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin microbubbles much like that of native albumin but did not bind uniformly with room air-containing sonicated dextrose albumin microbubbles. Diagnostic ultrasound resulted in significant partitioning of synthetic antisense oligonucleotides into non-bubble containing regions after insonation in vitro as well as deposition of greater amounts of synthetic antisense oligonucleotides in the insonated kidney after intravenous injections of synthetic anti-sense oligonucleotide-labeled perfluorocarbon-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin microbubbles. We conclude that perfluorocarbon-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin microbubbles, unlike room air-containing sonicated dextrose albumin microbubbles, have bioactive albumin on their surface that can bind synthetic antisense oligonucleotides and then release them in the presence of diagnostic ultrasound.

Animals↗

Effects of sonication and centrifugation of clinical specimens on the recovery of herpes simplex virus.

We have analyzed frozen and fresh specimens for herpes simplex virus (HSV) to determine the effect of sonication and centrifugation on virus recovery. After sonication, titers of 24/27 specimens increased from 1.3-30.8-fold with a mean increase of 6.8-fold. One hundred seventy-four fresh specimens were inoculated before and after sonication into CV-1 tube cultures. There was not a statistically significant difference in time to positivity between the sonicated and unsonicated portions. Thus, although sonication of specimens can sharply increase the viral titer of positive specimens, sonication of fresh specimens does not significantly enhance the isolation of HSV. To determine the effect of centrifugation of clinical specimens on recovery of HSV, thirty-one culture positive frozen specimens were centrifuged, and the supernatants and resuspended sonicated pellets were titered. Twenty-five specimens had sufficient recoverable virus to titer; in 21/25 (87.5%) specimens the titers were reduced in the supernatants after centrifugation (mean reduction 38%; range of 4-92%). Two of 31 (7%) supernatants were negative in culture while the sonicated pellets were positive. Thus, centrifugation of specimens prior to cell inoculation may compromise recovery of HSV.

Animals↗

Myocardial perfusion imaging by contrast echocardiography with use of intracoronary sonicated albumin in humans.

Sonicated albumin has been proposed as a near ideal echocardiographic contrast agent with little myocardial toxicity or hemodynamic effect. Its use has not yet been reported in humans, partly because of difficulties in preparation. With use of the newly modified sonication method, 10 ml of 5% albumin was sonicated for 75 s with a 5.0 ml slow infusion of air. This resulted in microbubbles with a mean diameter (+/- SD) of 5 +/- microns). Fourteen patients undergoing routine coronary angiography were studied. One patient had normal coronary arteries; the other 13 had significant coronary artery disease. In a subgroup of nine patients, sonicated albumin and sonicated diatrizoate meglumine sodium (microbubble diameter 9 +/- 3 microns) were injected several minutes apart, using the same technique. Videodensity-time curves were obtained from a region of interest in the myocardium. Corrected peak contrast intensity (baseline contrast intensity subtracted from peak contrast intensity, gray scale U/pixel) for sonicated albumin and for sonicated diatrizoate meglumine sodium was 51 +/- 26 and 52 +/- 19, respectively (p = 0.89). Washout half-time (T1/2) for the two agents was 5.5 +/- 4.5 and 16.0 +/- 12.2 s, respectively (p = 0.01). One patient with unstable angina experienced transient chest pain after repeated albumin injections. No electrocardiographic changes, blood pressure changes or wall motion abnormalities were observed. Administered by intracoronary injection, sonicated 5% albumin is a safe and effective echocardiographic contrast agent for myocardial perfusion imaging, yielding excellent myocardial contrast with physiologic washout time.

Adult↗

Reduction of microbial pathogens during apple cider production using sodium hypochlorite, copper ion, and sonication.

Sodium hypochlorite (100 ppm), copper ion water (1 ppm), and sonication (22 to 44 kHz and 44 to 48 kHz) were assessed individually and in combination for their ability to reduce populations of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes on apples and in apple cider. Commercial unpasteurized cider was inoculated to contain approximately 10(6) CFU/ml of either pathogen and then sonicated at 44 to 48 kHz, with aliquots removed at intervals of 30 to 60 s for up to 5 min and plated to determine numbers of survivors. Subsequently, whole apples were inoculated by dipping to contain approximately 10(6) CFU/g E. coli O157:H7 or L. monocytogenes, held overnight, and then submerged in 1 ppm copper ion water with or without 100 ppm sodium hypochlorite for 3 min with or without sonication at 22 to 44 kHz and examined for survivors. Treated apples were also juiced, with the resulting cider sonicated for 3 min. Populations of both pathogens decreased 1 to 2 log CFU/ml in inoculated cider following 3 min of sonication. Copper ion water alone did not significantly reduce populations of either pathogen on inoculated apples. However, when used in combination with sodium hypochlorite, pathogen levels decreased approximately 2.3 log CFU/g on apples. Sonication of this copper ion-sodium hypochlorite solution at 22 to 44 kHz did not further improve pathogen reduction on apples. Numbers of either pathogen in the juice fraction were approximately 1.2 log CFU/ml lower after being juiced, with sonication (44 to 48 kHz) of the expressed juice decreasing L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 populations an additional 2 log. Hence, a 5-log reduction was achievable for both pathogens with the use of copper ion water in combination with sodium hypochlorite followed by juicing and sonication at 44 to 48 kHz.

Beverages↗

A sonicate of Reiter treponemes used as sorbing agent in the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption (FTA-ABS) test.

A sonicate of Treponema phagedenis biotype Reiter (Reiter treponemes) was used as sorbing agent in parallel with sorbent in the FTA-ABS test. By diluting the Reiter treponemal antigens in approximately 0.5 M NaCl, the Reiter sonicate could be produced in sufficient quantities for its use in routine FTA-ABS. In crossed immunoelectrophoresis against a rabbit anti-Reiter immunoglobulin, 40 Reiter antigens were detectable in the sonicate and only one in the sorbent. The diluted sonicate and the sorbent had similar osmolarity and almost similar pH. FTA-ABS with sonicate and sorbent had similar sensitivity in untreated early and late syphilis. Only in treated early syphilis was non-reactivity usually obtained somewhat earlier with sonicate than with sorbent. Both FTA-ABS with sonicate and sorbent had a specificity near 98%. It is concluded that replacement of sorbent with sonicate in the routine FTA-ABS test would increase the costs without substantial improvements of the test.

Animals↗