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At least 793 records · Page 44Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Application of Leuconostoc carnosum for biopreservation of cooked meat products.

AIMS: To optimize the practical use of the bacteriocin producing Leuconostoc carnosum 4010 in order to inhibit the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in sliced meat products. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four different methods for biopreservation using the partially purified bacteriocin or the living culture of Leuc. carnosum 4010 were evaluated. The methods using the living protective culture added to the sliced gas packed meat product were more effective in preventing growth of L. monocytogenes than the use of the partially purified leucocins 4010 or bacteriocin produced during fermentation before heat treatment of the saveloy. The application method giving the highest reduction in L. monocytogenes used nozzles for sprinkling the protective culture on all surfaces of each slice of the meat product. In the control samples without the protective culture, L. monocytogenes grew to ca. 107 CFU g(-1), whereas for the application method using nozzles for distributing the protective culture, counts of L. monocytogenes never exceeded 10 CFU g(-1) during 4 weeks of storage at 10 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: The live cells of the bacteriocin producing Leuc. carnosum 4010 was the most efficient method as it inhibited the growth of L. monocytogenes in cooked, sliced and gas packed saveloy stored at 5 and 10 degrees C for 4 weeks. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results indicate that biopreservation with lactic acid bacteria is a suitable alternative to chemical preservatives. An even distribution of the protective culture was found to be essential for the efficacy of the protective culture in pilot plant trials.

Antibiosis↗
PubMed1998

Corneal innervation and sensitivity to noxious stimuli in trkA knockout mice.

Most primary sensory neurones depend on neurotrophins for survival. Mutant mice in which TrkA, the high-affinity receptor for nerve growth factor (NGF), has been inactivated lack nociceptive neurones in sensory ganglia and do not respond to noxious stimuli. The cornea of the eye is innervated by trigeminal neurones that are activated by noxious mechanical, thermal and chemical stimuli. In the human cornea, these stimuli evoke only sensations of pain. We have analysed the innervation pattern and the response to noxious stimulation of the cornea of trkA (-/-) mutant mice. Corneal nerves were stained with the gold chloride impregnation method. Corneal sensitivity to noxious stimuli was assessed by counting blinking movements evoked by von Frey hairs, topical application of saline at different temperatures and application of acetic acid and capsaicin at different concentrations. In the cornea of trkA (-/-) mutant animals, we observed a drastic reduction in the number of nerve trunks and branches in the corneal stroma. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of the number of thin nerve terminals revealed a marked decrease in the corneal epithelium of trkA (-/-) mice when compared to those present in wild type and trkA (+/-) animals. The blinking response of trkA (-/-) mice to mechanical, thermal and chemical noxious stimuli was also significantly reduced. These results indicate that the population of corneal sensory neurones is markedly depleted in trkA (-/-) mutant mice. However, a small portion of corneal sensory neurones survive in these mice suggesting that they may be NGF independent. On the basis of our results, we propose that these surviving cells are polymodal nociceptive neurones, sensitive to mechanical stimulation, noxious heat and acid.

Acids↗
PubMed1992

Induction of labor as compared with serial antenatal monitoring in post-term pregnancy. A randomized controlled trial. The Canadian Multicenter Post-term Pregnancy Trial Group.

BACKGROUND: The rates of perinatal mortality and neonatal morbidity are higher for post-term pregnancies than for term pregnancies. It is not known, however, whether the induction of labor results in better outcomes than does serial fetal monitoring while awaiting spontaneous labor. METHODS: We studied 3407 women with uncomplicated pregnancies of 41 or more weeks' duration. The women were randomly assigned to undergo induction of labor or to have serial antenatal monitoring and spontaneous labor unless there was evidence of fetal or maternal compromise, in which case labor was induced or cesarean section was performed. In the induction group, labor was induced by the intracervical application of prostaglandin E2. Serial antenatal monitoring consisted of counts of fetal kicks, nonstress tests, and assessments of amniotic-fluid volume. The outcomes we measured were the rates of perinatal mortality, neonatal morbidity, and delivery by cesarean section. RESULTS: Among the 1701 women in the induction group, 360 (21.2 percent) underwent cesarean section, as compared with 418 (24.5 percent) of the 1706 women in the monitoring group (P = 0.03). This difference resulted from a lower rate of cesarean section performed because of fetal distress among the women in the induction group (5.7 percent vs. 8.3 percent, P = 0.003). When two infants with lethal congenital anomalies were excluded, there were no perinatal deaths in the induction group and two stillbirths in the monitoring group (P not significant). The frequency of neonatal morbidity was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In post-term pregnancy, the induction of labor results in a lower rate of cesarean section than serial antenatal monitoring; the rates of perinatal mortality and neonatal morbidity are similar with the two approaches to management.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Comparative efficacy of clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide for in vivo suppression of Propionibacterium acnes.

BACKGROUND: Benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin are the two most widely prescribed topical antimicrobials in the treatment of acne. AIM: To compare the antimicrobial efficacy, in vivo, of benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin against Propionibacterium acnes. METHODS: Two groups of 10 subjects each, with comparable mean P. acnes baseline counts of log 5.75 to 5.85, underwent twice daily application of benzoyl peroxide or clindamycin for 14 days. RESULTS: The results of quantitatively sampling P. acnes after 3, 7 and 14 days of treatment showed that Triaz 6% benzoyl peroxide special gel produced faster and significantly greater reductions in P. acnes than did the 1% clindamycin phosphate in Cleocin-T lotion (p < 0.01). These results were paralleled by the greater reductions produced by Triaz versus Cleocin (p < 0.05) in P. acnes fluorescence. CONCLUSION: Benzoyl peroxide formulations suppress the follicular population of P. acnes more rapidly and to a greater degree than topical antibiotics such as clindamycin.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Testing of local gamma-ray scatter fractions determined by spectral fitting.

The spectral-fitting method of correction for gamma-ray Compton scattering within objects separates the unscattered and scattered components of locally measured energy spectra. Here, we employ a third-order polynomial for the scattering and an approximately constant fitting window. A scatter fraction, defined as total scattered over total unscattered counts within a 20% window, is calculated for each point in our Anger camera images. These scatter fractions are tested against those from Monte-Carlo simulation for 99mTc and against results from semiconductor detector measurements for 131I. A radioactive sphere at several locations within a non-radioactive cylinder and the inverse are imaged for the testing. For one case, reproducibility of the spectral-fitting scatter fraction as a function of the number of unscattered counts within the 20% acceptance window was also determined. With 99mTc, for all cases, the agreement between spectral fitting and the standard estimation method is within 16%. With 131I, for the 'hot' sphere at two locations, the agreement is within 21%. For the 'hot' sphere at the third location (off the cylinder axis towards the camera), the dependence of scatter fraction on transverse distance is good although the absolute values are too large. Scatter fraction reproducibility is within 10% for 1000 or more counts. Therefore, further testing of spectral fitting and initial application to realistic clinical images seem to be in order.

Gamma Cameras↗
PubMed1985

Applied potential tomography: possible clinical applications.

Applied potential tomography (APT) or electrical impedance imaging has received considerable attention during the past few years and some in vivo images have been produced. This paper reviews the current situation in terms of what in vivo results have been and are likely to be obtained in the near future. Both static and dynamic imaging are possible and these two areas are dealt with separately. Features of the existing in vivo imaging system are good tissue contrast, high-speed data collection, good sensitivity to resistivity changes, low spatial resolution, low cost and no known hazard. It is concluded that the most promising way forward to clinical application in the short term is to use dynamic as opposed to static imaging. An example of lung imaging is shown and the application to measuring regional ventilation and pulmonary oedema is discussed. Use of APT for the detection of intraventricular bleeding in neonates is discussed as is the proven ability to study gastric physiology by imaging resistivity distribution changes following the ingestion of conducting or insulating fluids. Other areas of possible application which are considered are blood flow measurement, cell counting, measurement of lean-fat ratios and the detection of soft tissue lesions.

Cell Count↗
PubMed2005

A least squares procedure for calculating the calibration constants of a portable gamma-ray spectrometer.

In this study, a least squares procedure for calculating the calibration constants of a portable gamma-ray spectrometer using the general inverse matrix method is presented. The procedure weights the model equations fitting to the calibration data, taking into account the variances in the counting rates and in the radioactive standard concentrations. The application of the described procedure is illustrated by calibrating twice the same gamma-ray spectrometer, with two independent data sets collected approximately 18 months apart in the same calibration facility.

Algorithms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Radionuclide measurement of differential glomerular filtration rate.

The authors sought to determine whether radionuclides could provide a reasonable estimate of differential renal function in five normal dogs and six dogs with unilateral segmental renal infarction. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of each kidney was measured by the standard technique using constant infusions of 99mTc-DTPA, iothalamate, and creatinine following ureteral catheterization. These results were correlated with total GFR estimated by bolus injection of 99mTc-DTPA and analysis of the plasma 99mTc-DTPA disappearance curve obtained by blood sampling. Differential GFR was then calculated by multiplying the total GFR from double exponential analysis of this curve (DTPA2) by each of three measures of differential function. These include the percent differential uptake of 99mTc-DTPA and 99mTc-DMSA in the posterior projection as well as the geometric mean of 99mTc-DMSA uptake. There were good correlations between differential GFR calculated from iothalamate clearances obtained at ureteral catheterization and all noninvasive methods involving radionuclides and DTPA2 (r = 0.85 - 0.99). Single exponential analysis of the 99mTc-DTPA plasma disappearance curve was less satisfactory. The authors suggest that measurement of total and differential GFR calculated from plasma clearance of 99mTc-DTPA and external counting may be a useful method with potential clinical applications.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Differentiation of malignant lymphoma and non-lymphoma by an occlusive dressing method employing bromodeoxyuridine.

Although lymphoma cells can proliferate in skin tissue, lymphocytes which have infiltrated the skin due to inflammatory changes are generally unable to do so. It may be possible to differentiate malignant lymphomas from benign lymphocytic infiltrations in skin tissue by detection of cell cycle-related antigens. We developed a novel in vivo method for studying the cell kinetics of human skin using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) with an occlusive dressing. Following the application of BrdU, BrdU-labeled lymphoid cells were counted in the dermis. The patients studied included 22 with various types of lymphomas (lymphoma group) and 22 with different forms of inflammatory skin disease (non-lymphoma group). Skin specimens were obtained after applying occlusive adhesive plasters containing 2% BrdU dissolved in 0.9% sodium chloride solution and were then immunostained with anti-BrdU monoclonal antibody. The average percentages of labeled cells were 15.9 +/- 7.6% for the lymphoma group and 4.7 +/- 2.6% for the non-lymphoma group. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Using this method, malignant lymphomas and benign lymphocytic infiltrations of the skin could be differentiated by counting BrdU-labeled lymphoid cells, and this method could help in determining a prognosis.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1994

Effects of systemic complement activation on renal circulation of rats.

In a variety of immunopathological diseases activation of the complement cascade occurs either systemically or localized in the kidney. To elucidate the functional impact of complement activation upon the renal microcirculation, we administered cobra venom factor of Naja naja kaouthia (CVF) i.v. into thiobarbital anaesthetized female rats. CVF is a potent activator of the alternative pathway of complement by forming the C3-convertase CVF, Bb which cannot be downregulated by the natural inhibitor factors H and I and thereby leads to generation of the anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a and formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC). We utilized creatinine clearance and flowmeter measurements in the normal kidney and intravital microscopy of the split hydronephrotic rat kidney model to observe the microvascular changes. Bolus injection of CVF (100 U kg-1) resulted in an immediate reduction of RBF (-68% after 10 min), which remained decreased during the entire experiment (90 min). Systemic blood pressure was significantly reduced only in the early period (-23% of control: 126 mmHg after 10 min). After an initial anuric phase of 30 min duration, the glomerular filtration rate was significantly diminished by 47%. White cell count was decreased by about 50% after the experiments. Application of the competitive thromboxane A2-antagonist, BM 13505, reversed all renal and systemic CVF-effects. Continuous infusion of the competitive leukotriene D4-antagonist, ICI 198615, attenuated the late renal CVF-effects (i.e. 30 min after injection of CVF). Depletion of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) attenuated the CVF-effects similar to BM 13505. Intravenous administration of CVF in the hydronephrotic kidney model resulted in a massive constriction of the interlobar and arcuate artery, with a fall in glomerular blood flow comparable to the reduction of RBF in the normal kidney. Diameters of the afferent arterioles--most sensitive to many vasoconstricting agents--were not significantly altered. Our results suggest that injection of CVF and the liberation of high amounts of the anaphylatoxins, C3a and C5a, induces the release of TXA2, which contributes to the early renal effects and the formation of cysteinyl-leukotrienes which play an important role in the late phase of systemic complement activation. Utilizing the split hydronephrotic kidney model we demonstrated the predominant action of complement activation on the large preglomerular vessels for the first time. PMN are seemingly involved in the liberation of secondary mediators which appear to reduce renal blood flow and glomerular filtration.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Detection of Embolism with Doppler Ultrasound: A Review.

Doppler detection of venous and arterial gas emboli has been recognized since 1968. The technology has been applied using 5-MHz ultrasound to study decompression sickness and monitor cardiopulmonary bypass and intracranial surgery. Since the advent of transcranial Doppler, which requires the use of lower ultrasonic carrier frequencies to penetrate the temporal bone, the detection of particulates moving in the bloodstream has been available. Using 2 MHz, microembolic signals have been detected in a variety of clinical situations, including cardiac conditions known to have high probabilities to produce embolic stroke. The basic features of a Doppler embolic signal have been clarified, and many investigators are applying the technology to determine the clinical significance of the detected emboli and their use in diagnosis and medical and surgical treatments. The basis for automatic sizing, counting, and characterizing the emboli is under development. The applications of Doppler detection of emboli will range from diagnosis and localization of embolic sources to improvement in surgical techniques and adjustments in medical treatments. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 13, September 1996)

Journal Article↗
PubMed1985

Measurement of growth-inhibiting (bactericidal) antibodies in patients with meningococcal meningitis and in subjects immunized with meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine by a [3H]thymidine assay.

We measured bactericidal antibodies against meningococci by a method which depends on the inhibition of [3H]thymidine uptake by bacteria in the presence of antibody and complement. A significant increase in antibody activity was found in sera from patients who had recovered from group A meningococcal meningitis (mean inhibition, 38.9 +/- 4.4%) compared with antibody activity present in sera from patients in the acute phase (mean inhibition, 7.0 +/- 2.4%) (P less than 0.001). Similarly, a significant increase in inhibitory activity against group C meningococci was observed 2 weeks after immunization with group C polysaccharide. A close correlation was obtained between the results of the thymidine assay and of a standard colony-counting method and hemagglutination assay. The assay is readily applicable to testing large numbers of samples.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1970

Centrifugal sedimentation of virus particles for electron microscopic counting.

Centrifuge cells with conical chambers were provided by using special inserts for the stainless-steel tubes that fit the Spinco SW-39 rotor. Particulate material, centrifuged in these cells, was collected on carbon-coated glass discs. These discs were exposed to OsO(4) vapor, dehydrated in graded alcohols, air-dried, and metal-shadowed. The metal-shadowed carbon film was floated from the glass, mounted on a grid, and examined. A knowledge of cell geometry and microscope magnification allowed correlation of the number of particles observed to a volume of the original suspension. A precision of +/-6% at the 95% confidence level was attained when counting approximately 100 particles per 10,000 x field. Applications and advantages of the method are discussed.

Centrifugation↗
PubMed2006

Waterborne microbial risk assessment: a population-based dose-response function for Giardia spp. (E.MI.R.A study).

BACKGROUND: Dose-response parameters based on clinical challenges are frequently used to assess the health impact of protozoa in drinking water. We compare the risk estimates associated with Giardia in drinking water derived from the dose-response parameter published in the literature and the incidence of acute digestive conditions (ADC) measured in the framework of an epidemiological study in a general population. METHODS: The study combined a daily follow-up of digestive morbidity among a panel of 544 volunteers and a microbiological surveillance of tap water. The relationship between incidence of ADC and concentrations of Giardia cysts was modeled with Generalized Estimating Equations, adjusting on community, age, tap water intake, presence of bacterial indicators, and genetic markers of viruses. The quantitative estimate of Giardia dose was the product of the declared amount of drinking water intake (in L) by the logarithm of cysts concentrations. RESULTS: The Odds Ratio for one unit of dose [OR = 1.76 (95% CI: 1.21, 2.55)] showed a very good consistency with the risk assessment estimate computed after the literature dose-response, provided application of a 20 % abatement factor to the cysts counts that were measured in the epidemiological study. Doing so, a daily water intake of 2 L and a Giardia concentration of 10 cysts/100 L, would yield an estimated relative excess risk of 12 % according to the Rendtorff model, against 11 % when multiplying the baseline rate of ADC by the corresponding OR. This abatement parameter encompasses uncertainties associated with germ viability, infectivity and virulence in natural settings. CONCLUSION: The dose-response function for waterborne Giardia risk derived from clinical experiments is consistent with epidemiological data. However, much remains to be learned about key characteristics that may heavily influence quantitative risk assessment results.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of a closed-loop muscle relaxation control system.

Automatic muscle relaxation control may reduce anesthesiologists' workload freeing them for other patient care requirements. In this report we describe a muscle relaxation controller designed for routine clinical application using rocuronium and the train-of-four count. A muscle relaxation monitor (TOF Watch SX) was connected to a laptop computer running a controller algorithm program that communicates with a syringe pump to form a closed-loop muscle relaxation system. The control algorithm uses proportional-integral and lookup table components and is designed to avoid the usability restrictions of existing controllers. The controller is optimized using an objective method to avoid the uncertainties of ''hand-crafted'' controller algorithms. Controller target was train-of-four count 1 or 2 and controller performance was evaluated in 15 patients. During 39 hours of closed-loop control, 96.1% of all twitches recorded were in the target range. Average rocuronium infusion rate was 0.36 mg.kg(-1).h(-1) (sd 0.18 mg.kg(-1).h(-1)). We show that the controller remains useful even in the presence of disturbances that can arise in routine clinical conditions. The muscle relaxation controller maintained the target train-of-four count values and may serve as a basis for the design of hardware and user interfaces for closed-loop muscle relaxation control in clinical conditions.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

An improved method for chromosome counting in maize.

An improved method for counting chromosomes in maize (Zea mays L.) is presented. Application of cold treatment (5C, 24 hr), heat treatment (42 C, 5 min) and a second cold treatment (5C, 24 hr) to root tips before fixation increased the number of condensed and dispersed countable metaphase chromosome figures. Fixed root tips were prepared by the enzymatic maceration-air drying method and preparations were stained with acetic orcein. Under favorable conditions, one preparation with 50-100 countable chromosome figures could be obtained in diploid maize using this method. Conditions affecting the dispersion of the chromosomes are described. This technique is especially useful for determining the somatic chromosome number in triploid and tetraploid maize lines.

Chromosomes↗
PubMed1993

A pocket chart to estimate true Schistosoma mansoni prevalences.

In a recent paper, Sake de Vlas and Bruno Gryseels have explored the extent and implications of the underestimation of Schistosoma mansoni prevalences, as measured by faecal screening. Together with Gernt van Oortmorssen, Anton Polderman and Dik Habbema, they now present a practical and generally applicable chart to infer 'true' prevalences from simple egg count surveys.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Classification of locomotor activity by acceleration measurement: validation in Parkinson disease.

The number of steps per time period is an important ambulatory measure describing an individual's locomotor function with implications for psychological and physical health. Key applications in neurology, psychiatry, psychopharmacology, and sports, behavior or rehabilitation medicine make it desirable to improve step detecting devices. Several pedometer or wrist actigraphy monitors exist today, but are insensitive or confounded by movement style, which may vary for different diagnoses and applications. Presented is an algorithm that detects, classifies and counts steps related to walking, running and shuffling motion. Data is recorded using a novel ambulatory monitoring system (LifeShirt, VivoMetrics, Inc., Ventura, CA, USA) which captures breathing information from respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP) sensors embedded in a light garment, and acceleration signals from a dual axis accelerometer attached close to the center of body mass. The vertical accelerometer axis measures upward acceleration generated by walking and running, while the other axis measures movement common with shuffling gait. Since these signals often contain noise and artifact due to soft tissue movement or external vibrations they are filtered and autocorrelated using unbiased estimates. The autocorrelation coefficients allow for clearer detection and classification of the cyclic motion during walking, running and shuffling movements. The algorithm is tested during various levels of exercise in healthy individuals and patients suffering from Parkinson disease, which is often characterized by shuffling gait. The results demonstrate an effective locomotor-monitoring algorithm that can produce accurate estimates of frequency and intensity of steps and shuffles and help classify daily locomotor activities.

Acceleration↗