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PubMed1997

A method for quantifying SPECT uniformity.

Field uniformity is an important parameter for monitoring the performance of SPECT imaging systems. However, it is difficult to apply objective measures of uniformity because of the large variance associated with reconstructed images. In the proposed method, annular sampling of the SPECT uniformity image is used to reduce the noise level without decreasing the magnitude of uniformity artifacts. The reconstructed uniformity image is sectioned into annular rings centered on the center of rotation to match the expected distribution of uniformity artifacts. Statistical fluctuations are reduced by averaging the counts within the annular rings, allowing the use of objective measures of field uniformity such as integral uniformity. Application of the annular sampling technique on simulated and phantom uniformity images showed that the technique could reliably quantify SPECT uniformity artifacts at acceptable count levels. As a result this method can be used to objectively evaluate SPECT field uniformity in systems which utilize parallel collimation and circular orbits.

Biometry↗
PubMed2004

Bioaerosols from the land application of biosolids in the desert southwest USA.

This study evaluated bioaerosol emissions during land application of Class B biosolids in and around Tucson, Arizona, to aid in developing models of the fate and transport of bioaerosols generated from the land application of biosolids. Samples were collected for 20 min at distances between 2 m and 20 m downwind of point sources, using an SKC BioSampler impinger. A total of six samples were collected per sampling event, which consisted of a biosolid spray applicator applying liquid biosolids to a cotton field. Each application represented one exposure. Samples were collected in deionised water amended with peptone and antifoam agent. Ambient weather conditions were also monitored every 10 min following initiation of sampling. Concurrently with downwind samples, background (ambient) air samples were collected to compensate for any ambient airborne microorganisms. In addition, biosolids samples were collected for analysis of target indicator and pathogenic organisms. Soil samples were also collected and analysed. Significant numbers of heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria were found in air samples collected during the biosolid application process. These could have arisen from soil particles being aerosolised during the land application process. Aerosolised soil may contribute significantly to the amount of aerosolised microorganisms. Soil particles may be able to more readily aerosolise, due to their low density, small particle size and low mass. Aerosolised HPC bacteria found during biosolids land application were similar to those found during normal tractor operation on non-biosolids applied fields. Coliforms and coliphages were not routinely detected even though they were found to be present in the biosolids at relatively high concentrations, 10(6) and 10(4)/g (dry weight) of biosolids respectively. This could be due to the die-off rate of aerosolised Gram-negative bacteria or sorption to the solid portion of the biosolids. Low numbers of aerosolised coliphages may likewise be due to sorption phenomena. We theorise that only organisms in the aqueous phase of the biosolids were available to desorb and be aerosolised. Animal viruses, which were not detected in the biosolids, were likewise not detected in the aerosol samples. Clostridium perfringens was detected in only a small percent of aerosol samples although it was detected during all weather conditions; other microorganisms were detected during more favourable environmental conditions (relative humidity >10%). Despite the fact that many of these organisms were present in the biosolids at significant concentrations, their presence in bioaerosols generated during the land application of biosolids was limited to only a small percentage of samples. Bacteria as well as viruses may sorb to biosolids, which contain a high percentage of organic matter, and desorption during land application of biosolids may not readily take place; therefore, these microorganisms may not be readily aerosolised.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1996

Antibacterial effect of propolis and honey on oral bacteria.

PURPOSE: To investigate the antibacterial properties of propolis and honey against oral bacteria in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro study: The antibacterial effects of propolis and honey on oral streptococci were determined using the broth method. Clinical study: The short-term antibacterial effect of propolis solution and honey on salivary total bacteria and Streptococcus mutans was tested in 10 volunteers. RESULTS: Propolis demonstrated an antibacterial effect both in vitro on isolated oral streptococci and in the clinical study on salivary bacterial counts. Honey induced bacteria growth at low concentrations, while at high concentrations honey had an inhibitory effect on bacterial growth in vitro. Salivary counts of total bacteria and Streptococcus mutans were lower for 1 hour after application of honey. The antibacterial effect of the honey tested may be attributed to its osmolarity effect.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of serum from thrombocytopenic patients on platelet count in blood of mice.

Estimation of the effect of sera obtained from patients suffering from several forms of megakaryocytic (immune) thrombocytopenia (19), and those with acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia (13), on the platelet count in the peripheral blood of mice was carried out. Several groups of mice were injected intravenously with 0.2 ml of patients' sera, and the platelet count was followed up for 10 days. A marked and highly significant decrease of platelet count in recipient mice was established even 6 hours after the application of both groups of patients' sera. In the control group of mice receiving pooled serum of healthy persons this decrease was not registered. It can be presumed with great probability that the mechanism of development of thrombocytopenia in both groups of patients is very similar: there is an extremely increased destruction of platelets in the peripheral blood in cases with immune thrombocytopenia by antibodies, and in cases with acute leukemias by antibodies and/or other cytotoxic substances. In further investigations the influence of thrombopoietin on this phenomenon will be tested.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Effects of prostacyclin during cardiopulmonary bypass in men on plasma levels of beta-thromboglobulin, platelet factor 4, thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and heparin.

A randomized double-blind study was carried out on 40 male patients requiring aorto-coronary bypass surgery. 20 patients received a constant dose of 8 ng kg-1 min-1 of prostacyclin (PGI2), beginning two minutes before extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and ending together with ECC. Compared to the placebo-treated patient group (n = 20), PGI2-treatment significantly reduced the ECC-induced release of platelet alpha-granule proteins, beta-thromboglobulin (1178 ng/ml vs. 1926 ng/ml) and platelet factor 4 (837 ng/ml vs. 1245 ng/ml) into plasma (mean of max. values). Furthermore the decrease of platelet counts during ECC was less pronounced in PGI2-treated patients. Application of PGI2 had no effect on the increase in thromboxane B2 (TxB2) plasma levels, which amounted to 0.6 ng/ml at the end of ECC. PGI2-treatment resulted in significantly elevated plasma concentrations of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) (2.1 ng/ml) throughout the infusion off prostacyclin. 6-keto-PGF1 alpha plasma levels increased up to 1.2 ng/ml in the control group patients, indicating a stimulation of endogenous PGI2 formation during ECC.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed2001

Surplus value of eosinophil count and ECP to diagnose and monitor asthmatic patients.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophil cationic protein (ESP) is one of the granule proteins in eosinophilic granulocytes. Release of this protein may reflect the activity state of eosinophilic granulocytes in diseased subjects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the additional value of serum ECP measurement over the eosinophil count, (specific) IgE concentration and CRP concentration in order to evaluate the effects of treatment in patients started on corticosteroids and to distinguish individual patients with asthma from healthy subjects on the basis of laboratory results. METHODS: In a longitudinal study, serial measurements of serum ECP, eosinophil count and other laboratory parameters have been evaluated and compared with spirometry and tests of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in ten asthmatic subjects. The subjects were investigated before therapy was started and 3, 6 and 9 months after the start of therapy with inhaled corticosteroids. Laboratory parameters in the patient group are compared with results obtained from a reference group of apparently healthy subjects (n=223). RESULTS: Statistically significant correlations are observed between blood eosinophil counts and serum ECP concentrations with the hyperresponsiveness tests PC20 (r=0.44 and r=0.46, respectively) and with a decrease in FEV(1) after exercise (r=0.66 and r=0.60, respectively). A significant difference was detected between serum ECP concentrations from the patients' group and from the reference group. However, a wide range of overlapping results was observed between the reference group and the asthmatic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Asthma is a disease which is now more frequently treated by general practitioners. In general practice there is not always the opportunity to evaluate asthma activity by the application of hyperreactivity tests. When hyperreactivity testing is not available, measuring serum ECP concentration or eosinophil blood count would be an alternative method to monitor the effects of corticosteroid treatment. In this study the additional value of serum ECP in addition to the eosinophil count is evaluated to determine the effects of treatment in patients who started with application of corticosteroids. However, because of the analogous correlation coefficients of laboratory parameters with tests regarding hyperresponsiveness, no additional benefit of serum ECP concentration over eosinophil blood count in monitoring the effect of corticosteroids can be detected. The additional value of serum ECP concentrations and eosinophil counts to detect an asthmatic constitution for individual cases is doubtful.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1981

A simple procedure for the enrichment of reticulocytes by isodense differential centrifugation on silicone oil mixtures.

Utilizing age-dependent differences in the density of red cells, a mixture of silicone oils with density of 1.0806 g/ml was used for the enrichment of rabbit reticulocytes. During concentration, heavy cells, mainly consisting of erythrocytes, move into the silicone oil, whereas the reticulocytes remain above the oil. Suspensions of apparently intact cells with reticulocyte counts of 87 +/- 7.8% and a recovery rate of about 37% were reproducibly obtained. Neither inhibition of cell respiration nor depletion of adenine nucleotides were observed after this enrichment procedure. A micro-modification in hematocrit capillaries seems to be applicable to obtain rapid information about reticulocyte contents in blood samples without staining and counting of cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Fluorescence assessment of Lactococcus lactis viability.

The reproduction and activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are essential in their applications in the dairy industry and other fermentations. Traditionally used methods like plate counting and acidification tests require long incubation times and provide limited information. Fluorescence techniques provide possibilities for rapid assessment of cell physiology. We used traditional and fluorescence assays to assess the physiological condition of L. lactis subsp. lactis ML3 cultures that were exposed to various stress conditions. After exposure to some of the stress conditions, carboxyfluorescein (cF) labelling did not agree with plate counts. Therefore, a two-step method was developed in which cF labelling was followed by a lactose-energized efflux assay. The combined assay proved to be a good and rapid indicator for reproduction and acidification capacity of stressed L. lactis. This novel assay has potential for physiological research and dairy applications related to LAB.

Fluoresceins↗
PubMed2005

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase upregulation in the cochlea of the guinea pig after intratympanic gentamicin injection.

Single-shot transtympanic gentamicin therapy has become a popular treatment modality for Meniere's disease despite the known possible ototoxic properties of this drug. It was shown recently that NO production and iNOS were upregulated after gentamicin application, which was interpreted as a possible effect of ototoxicity. In this study we analyzed the expression of eNOS after gentamicin application to determine a possible correlation of this enzyme with gentamicin-induced ototoxicity. We compared eNOS expression in gentamicin-treated and non-treated guinea pigs in the second turn of the cochlea, an area corresponding to speech perception in humans. Gentamicin (4 mg) was injected intratympanically into the middle ear of guinea pigs ( n =3) and the reduction of the hearing threshold level was determined by recording acoustic-evoked potentials (AEP) before and 5 days after gentamicin application. Morphological alterations in the organ of Corti were analyzed by light and electron microscopy. Gold-labeled anti-eNOS antibodies were counted in eight different cell areas for quantification of eNOS expression. Seven animals were analyzed as controls. After gentamicin application, a deterioration of hearing level was observed varying from 10 to 30 dB. A high degree of vacuolization was identified in the third row of outer hair cells. At the subcellular level, the subsurface cisterns in outer hair cells were dissociated from the basolateral cell membrane, and the mitochondrial membranes were frequently damaged. Statistically significant upregulation of eNOS was observed in all cell types analyzed. Depending on the various cell types the amount of gold-labeled eNOS antibodies was 2.5 to 5.7 times higher after gentamicin application. We observed significant eNOS upregulation after gentamicin application in the cochlea, in conjunction with cellular damages and decreased hearing.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Predictive significance of reticulocyte count (interpretative methodologic approach)].

This study concerns the comparison of two methodologies for reticulocyte count on two groups of 100 subjects. The evaluation of the results achieved with the two colorants (brilliant cresyl blue and pre-colored glasses with crystal acetate violet and methylene blue) suggests the application of more reliable parameters (reticulocyte index, reticulocyte production index) for the interpretation of reticulocyte counting. It seems desirable to correct the absolute reticulocyte number with the degree of anemia of the patient and to calculate the medullary production index to identify the effective reticulocytosis.

Anemia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Standardized mistletoe extract augments immune response and down-regulates local and metastatic tumor growth in murine models.

The immunomodulatory and antimetastatic activity of standardized aqueous mistletoe extract (sME) was evaluated in BALB/c-mice. Regular subcutaneous (s.c.) applications (three times per week for 14 consecutive days; 2, 20, 100 and 500 micrograms per injection and mouse) up-regulated thymocyte and peripheral blood leukocyte counts in tumor-bearing mice. Tumor weight and tumor volume were significantly down-regulated after application of sME doses greater than 20 micrograms per injection. To check the influence of sME treatment on growth of experimental metastases, RAW 117 H 10 lymphosarcoma cells and L-1 sarcoma cells were intravenously inoculated into BALB/c-mice to establish liver and lung colonization, respectively. sME was regularly administered starting 24 hours after tumor cell challenge. Organ colonization was investigated on day 14 after tumor cell inoculation and demonstrated statistically significant (p < 0.05) reductions of experimental liver and lung metastases for sME-treated mice.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2005

A comparison of PET imaging characteristics of various copper radioisotopes.

PURPOSE: PET radiotracers which incorporate longer-lived radionuclides enable biological processes to be studied over many hours, at centres remote from a cyclotron. This paper examines the radioisotope characteristics, imaging performance, radiation dosimetry and production modes of the four copper radioisotopes, ( 60)Cu,( 61)Cu,( 62)Cu and( 64)Cu, to assess their merits for different PET imaging applications. METHODS: Spatial resolution, sensitivity, scatter fraction and noise-equivalent count rate (NEC) are predicted for( 60)Cu,( 61)Cu,( 62)Cu and( 64)Cu using a model incorporating radionuclide decay properties and scanner parameters for the GE Advance scanner. Dosimetry for( 60)Cu,( 61)Cu and( 64)Cu is performed using the MIRD model and published biodistribution data for copper(II) pyruvaldehyde bis(N(4)-methyl)thiosemicarbazone (Cu-PTSM). RESULTS: (60)Cu and( 62)Cu are characterised by shorter half-lives and higher sensitivity and NEC, making them more suitable for studying the faster kinetics of small molecules, such as Cu-PTSM.( 61)Cu and( 64)Cu have longer half-lives, enabling studies of the slower kinetics of cells and peptides and prolonged imaging to compensate for lower sensitivity, together with better spatial resolution, which partially compensates for loss of image contrast.( 61)Cu-PTSM and( 64)Cu-PTSM are associated with radiation doses similar to [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose, whilst the doses for( 60)Cu-PTSM and( 62)Cu-PTSM are lower and more comparable with H(2) (15)O. CONCLUSION: The physical and radiochemical characteristics of the four copper isotopes make each more suited to some imaging tasks than others. The results presented here assist in selecting the preferred radioisotope for a given imaging application, and illustrate a strategy which can be extended to the majority of novel PET tracers.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1978

Use of enzyme-deficient cell lines as feeder layers.

Enzyme-deficient cell lines, lacking TK or HPRT and therefore unable to grow in HAT medium, may be used as feeder layers to enhance clonal growth of wild-type cells. Low numbers of wild-type test cells may be plated in HAT medium with 5 X 10(5) HAT-sensitive feeder cells per Petri dish. The feeder cells remain attached and metabolizing for 1 to 2 weeks, but ultimately die and detach, leaving colonies of test cells. This feeder layer technique is very simple and flexible and could have wide applicability.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed2004

Isolation of a lactic acid bacterium and yeast consortium from a fermented material of Ulva spp. (Chlorophyta).

AIMS: Microbiota in a fermented culture of Ulva spp. was examined with the objective to characterize the type of fermentation and to obtain starter microbes for performing seaweed fermentation. METHOD AND RESULTS: Fermented Ulva spp. cultures which were obtained and transferred in a laboratory were examined for their microbiota. With phenotypic characterization and phylogenetic analysis based on rRNA gene nucleotide sequences, the predominant micro-organisms were identified as Lactobacillus brevis, Debaryomyces hanseni var. hansenii, and a Candida zeylanoides-related specimen, suggesting that the observed fermentation can be categorized to lactic acid and ethanol fermentation. Inoculating the individually cultured cell suspensions of the three kinds of micro-organisms with cellulase induced the fermentation in various kinds of seaweed. CONCLUSIONS: A microbial consortium composed of a lactic acid bacterium, L. brevis, and yeasts, D. hansenii and a C. zeylanoides-related specimen, were predominant in a fermented culture of Ulva spp. Lactic acid and ethanol fermentation could be induced in various kinds of seaweed by adding this microbial consortium along with cellulase. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report of lactic acid and ethanol fermentation in seaweed, which is expected to provide a new material for food and dietary applications.

Candida↗
PubMed2004

Electrical impedance tomography of cell viability in tissue with application to cryosurgery.

Tissue damage that is associated with the loss of cell membrane integrity should alter the bulk electrical properties of the tissue. This study shows that electrical impedance tomography (EIT) should be able to detect and image necrotic tissue inside the body due to the permeabilization of the membrane to ions. Cryosurgery, a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses freezing to destroy undesirable tissue, was used to investigate the hypothesis. Experimental results with liver tissue demonstrate that cell damage during freezing results in substantial changes in tissue electrical properties. Two-dimensional EIT simulations of liver cryosurgery, which employ the experimental data, demonstrate the feasibility of this application.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Antisepsis of mucous membranes--current status and aspects of future development].

The mucous membranes colonized by high numbers of microorganisms play a major role as a source of nosocomial infections. According to clinical requirements it seems reasonable to distinguish three modes of application of antiseptics: 1. single prophylactic (prior to mucosa-penetrating interventions), 2. repeated periodical (wound care, treatment of oral cavity in intubated patients, decontamination of granulocytopenic patients), 3. therapeutic (local mucosal infections) including treatment of carriers to prevent transmission and spread of pathogens. Active agents commonly in use are PVP-iodine, cation-active detergents (e.g. chlorhexidine), oxygen-releasing compounds and organic mercury compounds. Presently chlorhexidine and PVP-iodine are the most frequently applied of these antiseptics while the organic mercury compounds are less important because of limited efficacy, toxicological and ecological problems. Preliminary data from investigations using a newly developed antiseptic, octenidine, a bispyridine compound, demonstrate reduction factors comparable to those obtained by PVP-iodine. Yet no standardized test methods for the efficacy of different substances and methods of application have been established.

Colony Count, Microbial↗
PubMed1985

Simultaneous reticulocyte and platelet counting on a clinical flow cytometer.

Laser flow cytometric analysis is well suited to many clinical immunofluorescent and hematologic applications. One of these is automated reticulocyte and platelet enumerations. We have performed a clinical evaluation of a fluorescence laser flow cytometer reticulocyte and platelet enumeration method using the fluorochrome acridine orange. One hundred and thirty-two clinical specimens from inpatients in our comprehensive cancer center were analyzed for platelet counts and 101 samples from the same population were analyzed for reticulocyte counts by the flow cytometer and simultaneously by conventional techniques. Both the reticulocyte and platelet enumerations achieved a high degree of correlation with standard methods for the nonbone marrow-transplant patients studied (R = .989 for reticulocytes and R = .995 for platelets). Marrow transplant patients had a slightly poorer correlation coefficient for the reticulocyte enumeration (R = .923), but analysis of serial determinations of these patients' samples for reticulocyte counts revealed that results were more consistent over time with the automated method than with the traditional manual method. The laser flow cytometer fluorescence reticulocyte and platelet enumeration methods described are efficient, rapid, and reliable for platelet and reticulocyte counting.

Acridine Orange↗
PubMed1985

A new method for decay-associated fluorescence spectroscopy. Application to the tryptophan zwitterion.

We describe a new method for decay associated fluorescence spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation as the excitation pulse and a photon counting technique. This method is based on the determination of the difference between the barycenters of the exciting pulse and of the fluorescence response at several wavelengths. It is applicable to the case where individual decay times are independent of emission wavelength. Coupled to the analysis of the decay curve at only one emission wavelength, this method reduces the time devoted to the numerical analysis and avoids the spectral distortion due to the lamp profile. The results obtained by this method on indole, the tryptophan zwitterion, and N-acetyl-tryptophan are presented. Results are compared to those obtained by two other methods: Determination of the fluorescence decay parameters by deconvolution analysis at several emission wavelengths. Photon counting of the fluorescence spectrum emitted during a selected time window after the excitation pulse.

Chemical Phenomena↗