Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Packaging”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

Quality of fresh chicken breasts using a combination of modified atmosphere packaging and chlorine dioxide sachets.

The objective of this research was to observe the effect of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) combined with modified atmosphere packaging on the quality of fresh chicken breasts under refrigerated storage for 15 days. Each chicken breast was inoculated with a 4-log CFU/ml culture of Salmonella Typhimurium (nalidixic acid-resistant strain) and placed into a barrier foam tray. Fast- or slow-release ClO2 sachets were placed next to the chicken in each package. A control set of packages that did not contain a ClO2 sachet was also included in the study. Packages were flushed with either 100% N2 or 75% N2-25% CO2 and stored at 3 degrees C. Microbial analysis, CIE L.a.b. color, and sensory (appearance and aroma) were performed every 3 days for 15 days. Total plate counts for chicken increased steadily after 6 to 9 days of storage regardless of package atmosphere or ClO2 treatment. However, those treated with ClO2 sachets had 1 to 1.5 log CFU per chicken breast lower total plate counts compared with those without ClO2 sachets. After 15 days, samples treated with ClO2 (fast- and slow-release sachets) had significantly lower Salmonella Typhimurium (nalidixic acid-resistant strain) populations (approximately 1 log) compared with chicken that did not contain ClO2 sachets. The ClO2 adversely affected the color of the chicken in areas close to the sachet. No off-odor was detected by the sensory panelists.

Animals↗

A packaging update. Recycling, testing, and pricing.

Europe has taken legislative measures to improve the management of packaging and packaging waste. This article outlines the arguments for excluding medical device packaging from the provisions of the recently published European Directive on packaging and packaging waste. Developments in a new barrier test method and further increases in the price of raw materials are also discussed.

Equipment Reuse↗

Quality assurance of manufacturer-supplied unit dose packages.

This article discusses a quality assurance procedure to prevent defects that have been discovered in unit-of-use packages supplied by manufacturers from being dispensed and administered. Defects are illustrated in Figs. 1 through 8. Defects are classified as one of three types: multiples of number, defects of omission, and unusual defects. Multiples of number are defined as defects in which medication in excess of the intended number of dosage units is in the package. In defects of omission, the package is partially or totally empty. finally, the unusual defects include those not falling in either of the other groups. While the defect of omission is found to be the most common, the defect with the most potential for causing patient harm is the multiple of number type. The manufacturer could lessen the possibility that the multiple of number might cause patient injury by stating the number of dosage units on the package. An ongoing program of inspection of packages at time of opening them is recommended. When defects are discovered, the manufacturer should be promptly notified.

Drug Industry↗

[Esophageal rupture with aortic-esophageal fistula due to ingestion of foil packaged drugs].

A 78-year-old man was admitted because of haematemesis. A week before, the patient was admitted for prostate resection. During that admission he ingested an analgesic tablet complete with foil packaging. Since then, he suffered from dysphagia. Endoscopic examination revealed the foil packaging, but during the procedure massive bleeding in the oesophagus occurred. Despite initial haemodynamic stabilisation, fatal bleeding occurred a short while later. Post mortem examination revealed an aortic-oesophageal fistula which was ascribed to the foil packaging. One other oesophageal rupture was thought to be due to the packaging and a third rupture was ascribed to the inserted Sengstaken-Blakemore tube. Ingestion of a foil packaging warrants active medical intervention, as is stated elsewhere in the literature.

Aged↗

Child-resistant packaging for certain over-the-counter drug products. Final rule.

Pursuant to its 3-0 vote to do so, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) is issuing a rule to require child-resistant (CR) packaging on drugs (OTC switched drugs) approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for over-the-counter (OTC) sale that contain active ingredients previously available only in prescription drugs. Current Commission regulations require CR packaging for most oral drug products containing prescription-only active ingredients.However, prior to issuance of this rule there was no general requirement to maintain CR packaging of such drug products in forms subsequently approved by the FDA for OTC sale. The Commission is also revoking the current prohibition on granting a petition for an exemption from a CR packaging requirement prior to FDA approval of the drug product in question. The Commission takes these actions under authority of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970, as amended.

Child↗

[Tests of the microbiologic barrier in sterile packaging].

After decontamination, cleaning, maintenance and functional testing, sterilised items must be packed suitably. The package must protect sterilised items against microbial contamination during removal from the sterilising chamber, and during storage or transport until use. The ability of any given pack to withstand penetration by bacteria is termed bacterial barrier efficiency. The assurance to keep the contents of the packaging sterile is determined by quality of the materials and the quality of seals. The research was done to proof the microbial barrier, determined by quality of the packaging materials/systems used to sterilization in hospital practice in Poland. 4 packaging materials and 4 types of containers were tested. In all used methods the growth of microorganisms indicated the lack of the bacterial efficiency, the lack of growth--the bacterial barrier efficiency. It was proved that two tested specialistic sterilization papers, non woven material and specialistic containers (metal with a filter or valve, plastic with a filter) are effective microbial barriers because it was no microorganisms growth. It has been determined that sulphite bleachery paper of 60 g/m2 and Schimmelbusch container do not provide the microbial barrier. Based on the performed studies it has been determined that sulphite bleachery paper and Schimmelbusch container can not be used as sterilization packaging system in sterilization practice in hospitals.

Bacteria↗

Effects of packaging and storage on the dissolution of model prednisone tablets.

The effects of packaging and storage in multiple-unit and unit-dose containers on dissolution rate of model prednisone tablets are reported. USP Prednisone Dissolution Calibrator Tablets were packaged in three multiple-unit and five unit-dose containers. Packaged tablets were stored for three to six months under three conditions: 40 degrees C and 85% relative humidity (R.H.), 37 degrees C and 75% R.H., and 22 degrees C and 75% R.H. Dissolution rate was measured at pre-determined intervals during storage. For each condition tested, two separate runs of six tablets each were performed. Tablets in the least moisture-permeable containers were least affected by storage. The conditions of high heat and humidity caused the greatest change in dissolution rate. When stored at 22 degrees C and 75% R.H., little change in dissolution rate occurred in any packaged tablets. It is concluded that packaging and storage conditions affect tablet dissolution characteristics markedly. The practice of labeling repackaged tablets with the expiration date of the original container is shown to be invalid.

Adsorption↗

How important are airfreight rates and vaccine packaging in cost-saving efforts for the Expanded Programme on Immunization?

Vaccines constitute the single most important cost factor in the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Mozambique and in view of future new disease-control initiatives, the proportional expenditure on vaccines will only increase. Airfreight may contribute up to at least 25% of the total cost of delivered vaccine. Air transport of vaccine provided by UNICEF was arranged by the vaccine supplier. As a result of a lack of control mechanisms, airfreight rates were unnecessarily high and showed considerable variation. By negotiating rates directly with the airlines, the EPI management team in Mozambique succeeded in reducing them from an average of about US$ 12 per kg to US$ 4 per kg, equivalent to an annual saving of US$ 100,000. Vaccine vials are typically packaged in one of the following types of boxes: small colourful boxes containing 5-10 vials or bigger more functional boxes containing 50-100 vials. The packaging of vials in smaller boxes can double airfreight costs compared with bigger boxes. The EPI management team for Mozambique recommends that UNICEF should take over from suppliers the arrangements for shipping vaccine and negotiate airfreight rates centrally; further, WHO should tighten current vaccine-packaging standards for net packaging volume per dose, so that packaging in uneconomical small boxes can be eliminated.

Aircraft↗

Conformation and interactions of the packaged double-stranded DNA genome of bacteriophage T7.

The structure of the packaged double-stranded DNA genome of bacteriophage T7 was compared to that of unpackaged T7 DNA using digital difference Raman spectroscopy. Spectral data were obtained at 25 degrees C from native T7 virus (100 mg/mL), empty T7 capsids (50 mg/mL), and purified T7 DNA (40 mg/mL) in buffer containing 200 mM NaCl, 10 mM MgCl2, and 10 mM Tris at pH 7.5. At these conditions, the local conformation of T7 DNA was not affected by packaging. Specifically, the local B-form secondary structure of unpackaged T7 DNA, including furanose C2'-endo pucker, anti glycosyl torsion, Watson-Crick base pairing, and base stacking, were essentially fully (> 98%) retained when the genome was condensed within the viral capsid. However, the average electrostatic environment of T7 DNA phosphates was altered dramatically by packaging as revealed by large perturbations in the Raman bands associated with localized vibrations of the DNA phosphate groups. The change in the phosphate environment was attributed to Mg2+ ions that were packaged with the genomic DNA, and the observed Raman perturbations of genomic DNA were equivalent to those generated by a 50-100-fold increase in Mg2+ concentration in aqueous phosphodiester model compounds. The T7 data were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those observed previously for packaged DNA of bacteriophage P22 and imply that genomic DNAs of T7 and P22 are both organized in a similar fashion within their respective capsids. The results show that the condensed genome does not contain kinks or folds that would disrupt the local B conformation by more than 2%. The present findings are discussed in relation to previously proposed models for condensation and organization of double-stranded and single-stranded viral DNA.

Bacteriophage T7↗

Quantitative comparison and evaluation of two commercially available, two-dimensional electrophoresis image analysis software packages, Z3 and Melanie.

While a variety of software packages are available for analyzing two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) gel images, no comparisons between these packages have been published, making it difficult for end users to determine which package would best meet their needs. The goal here was to develop a set of tests to quantitatively evaluate and then compare two software packages, Melanie 3.0 and Z3, in three of the fundamental steps involved in 2-DE image analysis: (i) spot detection, (ii) gel matching, and (iii) spot quantitation. To test spot detection capability, automatically detected protein spots were compared to manually counted, "real" protein spots. Spot matching efficiency was determined by comparing distorted (both geometrically and nongeometrically) gel images with undistorted original images, and quantitation tests were performed on artificial gels with spots of varying Gaussian volumes. In spot detection tests, Z3 performed better than Melanie 3.0 and required minimal user intervention to detect approximately 89% of the actual protein spots and relatively few extraneous spots. Results from gel matching tests depended on the type of image distortion used. For geometric distortions, Z3 performed better than Melanie 3.0, matching 99% of the spots, even for extreme distortions. For nongeometrical distortions, both Z3 and Melanie 3.0 required user intervention and performed comparably, matching 95% of the spots. In spot quantitation tests, both Z3 and Melanie 3.0 predicted spot volumes relatively well for spot ratios less than 1:6. For higher ratios, Melanie 3.0 did much better. In summary, results suggest Z3 requires less user intervention than Melanie 3.0, thus simplifying differential comparison of 2-DE gel images. Melanie 3.0, however, offers many more optional tools for image editing, spot detection, data reporting and statistical analysis than Z3. All image files used for these tests and updated information on the software are available on the internet (http://www.umbc.edu/proteome), allowing similar testing of other 2-DE image analysis software packages.

Electronic Data Processing↗

Relationship between cell proliferation, cell-cycle phase, and retroviral vector production in FLYRD18 human packaging cells.

The relatively low concentrations of retroviral vectors produced by most packaging cells requires the optimization and intensification of their production to make a commercially viable product for gene therapy. While a number of reports exist concerning target cell-cycle effects on retroviral vector infection efficiency, no studies have been reported on the effects of packaging cell cycle on vector production. We have studied the effect of proliferation of the human packaging cell line, FLYRD18, on vector production. In addition, the titer levels of vector produced by cells in each phase of the cell cycle were compared. Numerous studies suggested progression of the cells through the cell cycle to be essential for vector production. However, vector release was found not to be predominant in any particular phase of the cell cycle. These findings indicate that packaging cell proliferation is important for optimal virus production and that arrest of the cells in any particular phase of the cell cycle affords no benefits in retroviral vector production. In contrast to previous reports (using other cell lines), we observed no temporary inhibition of cell cycle progression after detachment of cells from their substratum and that virus production occurred immediately after re-plating of the cells. The findings in this report are important for determining the optimal culture conditions for vector production by packaging cells in vitro.

Cell Count↗

Male gender influences response to an educational package for delirium prevention among older people: a stratified analysis.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence is pointing towards the efficacy of intervention programmes in decreasing the incidence of delirium among older people admitted to hospital. We have previously shown that an educational package directed at doctors and nurses significantly decreased the point prevalence of delirium among older people on a general medical ward. It is not yet established whether specific and 'fixed' patients' characteristics influence the rate of response to such an intervention. METHODS: A secondary, exploratory stratified analysis was carried out to determine whether age, sex and presence of dementia might influence the effect of the intervention through a delirium educational package. This information is important in order to increase the effectiveness of preventive measures across various patients' subgroups. RESULTS: Male gender (OR 0.17, 0.05-0.65) significantly (p = 0.030) and positively influence the response to the educational package compared to female gender (OR 1.04, 0.38-2.81). Neither age nor the presence of underlying dementia was associated with a significant influence on the rate of response to the delirium prevention package. CONCLUSION: Staff may be more likely to implement an earlier and more effective intervention for males who are perceived as presenting a higher risk to themselves and others. The results reported highlight the need to increase staff's vigilance to female patients whose prodromal symptoms of delirium may be underemphasised. Understanding different sub-group responses to preventive educational packages for delirium is an important consideration if these are to be applied widely.

Age Factors↗

Gene delivery to glioma cells in rat brain by grafting of a retrovirus packaging cell line.

Retrovirus vectors only integrate into the genome of dividing cells and can thus be used to selectively infect tumor cells in the adult rat brain. Gene delivery was assessed by using the retrovirus BAG vector, which bears the Escherichia coli lacZ gene under the MoMLV LTR promoter-enhancer element, and by histochemical staining for bacterial beta-galactosidase activity. Direct injection of this vector (90-900 cfu) into the adult rat brain, with or without prior inoculation of C6 glioma cells (2 x 10(5) cells) resulted in labeling of only a few cells as assessed 1 week later. When the psi 2-BAG packaging line was grafted into the brain, labeled psi 2-BAG cells could be found after 1 day, but not after 5 days, following grafting, suggesting that the grafted cells had been rejected and that no endogenous cells had integrated released vector, or that expression of lacZ had been turned off. In contrast, when the psi 2-BAG packaging line was grafted into a brain region, which had been inoculated previously with rat C6 glioma cells (2 x 10(5) cells), beta-galactosidase labeling of these tumor cells, identified by immunocytochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100, could be demonstrated 10 days later. Thus, grafting of retrovirus packaging lines into adult brain provides a mean to infect tumor cells in situ. The grafted packaging cells may continue to release retrovirus particles for an extended period, thus infecting more cells at the stage of division appropriate for viral integration, as compared to inoculation of the virus alone. Grafting of retrovirus packaging cell lines could be used to selectively deliver "killer" or "suppressor" genes to tumor cells in the brain to curtail their growth.

Animals↗

Improving the quality of data in randomized clinical trials: the COMPACT computer package. COMPACT Steering Committee.

One crucial component for a successful clinical trial is that the data gathered have a high level of reliability and completeness. This paper reviews some problems of data management and describes the computer package COMPACT which has been developed to deal with such problems. The package allows range and consistency checks and can monitor complex follow-up schedules. A unique feature of the package is a PROBLEMS file which has use both for identification of queries about the data and of patients with particular characteristics of interest. The ability to monitor drug dosages and to signal deviations from the protocol is of particular value. COMPACT has the syntax necessary to create a 'flat' file for transfer to statistical packages for analysis, and the variable description files for SAS, SPSS and MINITAB. The package is written in standard FORTRAN which enables transfer to different types of mini and micro computer systems.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Specific interaction of terminase, the DNA packaging enzyme of bacteriophage lambda, with the portal protein of the prohead.

Terminase, the bacteriophage lambda DNA packaging protein, is a heteromultimer of two subunits, gpNu1 and gpA, the products of genes Nu1 and A, resp. Phage 21 is a lambdoid phage that produces a terminase similar to that of lambda terminase, the subunits of 21 terminase, gp1 and gp2, have the same domain structures of their lambda analog, gpNu1 and gpA, respectively. The lambda and 21 terminases have different DNA binding and prohead binding specificities. When the C-terminal 32 amino residues of gpA replace the C-terminal 32 residues of gp2, the resulting chimeric terminase specifically uses lambda proheads, indicating that the C-terminal 32 residues of gpA are a specificity domain for prohead binding. A second chimeric terminase, in which the C-terminal six residues of gpA are replaced by the C-terminal six residues of gp2, is unable to utilize lambda proheads, and a lambda phage producing this terminase, lambda Are636, is unable to form plaques. In the present work, a pseudorevertant of lambda Are636 was isolated that contained a mutation Bms8, affecting the prohead. The B gene encodes the portal protein of lambda proheads, which forms the special vertex that is thought to serve as (1) the site of DNA entry into the prohead during packaging, (2) the site for DNA exit during DNA injection, and (3) the site of tail attachment during virion assembly. Bms8 is predicted to change residue 331 of gpB from proline to serine. Burst size measurements and in vitro DNA packaging experiments demonstrated allele-specific interactions between the Are636 terminase and Bms8 proheads. That is, wild-type terminase interacted more efficiently with wild-type proheads than with Bms8 proheads, and Are636 terminase interacted with Bms8 proheads more efficiently than with wild-type proheads. Prohead binding by lambda terminase is stimulated by an assembly catalyst, gpFI. In vitro packaging extracts lacking gpFI were used under conditions in which packaging was gpFI-independent. In the absence of gpFI, Are636 terminase interacted most efficiently with Bms8 proheads, and wild-type terminase interacted most efficiently with wild-type proheads. The allele-specific interactions in the absence of gpFI indicate that the Are636 and Bms8 mutations affect direct interactions between terminase and the portal protein, rather than acting indirectly by altering the interactions of terminase and gpB and gpFI.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Capsid expansion follows the initiation of DNA packaging in bacteriophage T4.

Most bacteriophages undergo a dramatic expansion of their capsids during morphogenesis. In phages lambda, T3, T7 and P22, it has been shown that expansion occurs during the packaging of DNA into the capsid. The terminase-DNA complex docks with the portal vertex of an unexpanded prohead and begins packaging. After some of the DNA has entered, the major head protein undergoes a conformational change that increases both the volume and stability of the capsid. In phage T4, the link between packaging and expansion has not been established. We explored the possibility of such a connection using a pulse-chase protocol and high resolution sucrose gradient analysis of capsid intermediates isolated from wild-type T4-infected cells. We show that the first particle appearing after the pulse is an unexpanded prohead, which can be isolated in vitro as the ESP (empty small particle). The next intermediate to appear is also unexpanded, but contains DNA. This new intermediate, the ISP (initiated small particle), can also be isolated on agarose gels, permitting confirmation of both its expansion state and DNA content ( approximately 10 kbp). It appears, therefore, that >/=8% of the T4 genome enters the head shell prior to expansion. Following packaging of an undetermined amount of DNA, the capsid expands, producing the ILP (initiated large particle), which is finally converted to a full head upon the completion of packaging. An expanded, empty prohead, the ELP (empty large particle), was also observed during 37 degrees C infections, but failed to mature to phage during the chase. Thus the ELP is unlikely to be an intermediate in normal head assembly. We conclude by suggesting that studies on assembly benefit from an emphasis on the processes involved, rather than on the structural intermediates which accumulate if these processes are interrupted.

Bacteriophage T4↗

Topology of the components of the DNA packaging machinery in the phage phi29 prohead.

Chromosome condensation inside dsDNA viral particles is a complex process requiring the coordinated action of several viral components. The similarity of the process in different viral systems has led to the suggestion that there is a common underlying mechanism for DNA packaging, in which the portal vertex or connector plays a key role. We have studied the topology of the packaging machinery using a number of antibodies directed against different domains of the connector. The charged amino-terminal, the carboxyl-terminal, and the RNA binding domain are accessible areas in the connector assembled into the prohead, while the domains corresponding to the 12 large appendages of the connector are buried inside the prohead. Furthermore, while the antibodies against the carboxyl and amino-terminal do not affect the packaging reaction, incubation of proheads with antibodies against the RNA binding domain abolishes the packaging activity. The comparison of the three-dimensional reconstructions of bacteriophage phi29 proheads with proheads devoid of their specific pRNA by RNase treatment shows that this treatment removes structural elements of the distal vertex of the portal structure, suggesting that the pRNA required for packaging is located at the open gate of the channel in the narrow side of the connector.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Bacteriophage lambda DNA packaging: DNA site requirements for termination and processivity.

Bacteriophage lambda chromosomes are processively packaged into preformed shells, using end-to-end multimers of intracellular viral DNA as the packaging substate. A 200 bp long DNA segment, cos, contains all the sequences needed for DNA packaging. The work reported here shows that efficient DNA packaging termination requires cos's I2 segment, in addition to the required termination subsite, cosQ, and the nicking site, cosN. Efficient processivity requires cosB, in addition to cosQ and cosN. An initiation-defective mutant form of cosB sponsored efficient processivity, indicating that the terminase-cosB interactions required for termination are less stringent than those required at initiation. The finding that an initiation-defective form of cosB is functional for processivity allows a re-interpretation of a similar finding, obtained previously, that the initiation-defective cosB of phage 21 is functional for processivity by the lambda packaging machinery. The cosBphi21 result can now be interpreted as indicating that interactions between cosBphi21 and lambda terminase, while insufficient for initiation, function for processivity.

Bacteriophage lambda↗