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PubMed2004

Saline-linked surface radiofrequency ablation: factors affecting steam popping and depth of injury in the pig liver.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Saline-linked surface radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a new technique for applying RF energy to surfaces. The surface is cooled, which prevents charring and results in deeper coagulation. However, subsurface heating may lead to steam formation and a form of tissue disruption called steam popping. We determined parameters that predict steam popping and depth of tissue destruction under nonpopping conditions. A commercially available saline-linked surface RF cautery device (Floating Ball 3.0, TissueLink, Inc.) was used. METHODS: One hundred eighty circular lesions were created varying in lesion diameter, duration, power, and inflow occlusion. Variables affecting popping were determined. Then factors influencing lesion depth were studied at fixed nonpopping diameter/power combinations (1 cm/10W, 2 cm/15W, 4 cm/60W). Tissue viability was determined in selected samples by staining of tissue NADH. RESULTS: The probability of steam popping was directly related to power level and inflow occlusion, and indirectly related to lesion diameter. Depth of injury under safe nonpopping conditions was directly related to power, lesion size, and inflow occlusion. Maximum depth in excess of 20 mm was achieved using a 4 cm diameter at 60W with inflow occlusion. Microscopy of NADH-stained tissues showed a complete cell killing in the macroscopically visible coagulated area. CONCLUSIONS: Steam popping can be avoided by selecting power level/lesion diameter combinations. Tissue destruction to 20 mm can be safely achieved with short periods of inflow occlusion. The device has promise as a treatment of superficial tumors and close resection margins.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed2000

Disposition of glucosinolates and sulforaphane in humans after ingestion of steamed and fresh broccoli.

The cancer-chemopreventive effects of broccoli may be attributed, in part, to isothiocyanates (ITCs), hydrolysis products of glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are hydrolyzed to their respective ITCs by the enzyme myrosinase, which is inactivated by heat. In this study, the metabolic fate of glucosinolates after ingestion of steamed and fresh broccoli was compared in 12 male subjects in a crossover design. During each 48-hour baseline period, no foods containing glucosinolates or ITCs were allowed. The subjects then consumed 200 g of fresh or steamed broccoli; all other dietary sources of ITCs were excluded. Blood and urine samples were collected during the 24-hour period after broccoli consumption. Total ITC equivalents in broccoli and total ITC equivalents in plasma and urine were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography as the cyclocondensation product of 1,2-benzenedithiol. The content of ITCs in fresh and steamed broccoli after myrosinase treatment was found to be virtually identical (1.1 vs. 1.0 micromol/g wet wt). The average 24-hour urinary excretion of ITC equivalents amounted to 32.3 +/- 12.7% and 10.2 +/- 5.9% of the amounts ingested for fresh and steamed broccoli, respectively. Approximately 40% of total ITC equivalents in urine, 25.8 +/- 13.9 and 6.9 +/- 2.5 micromol for fresh and steamed broccoli, respectively, occurred as the N-acetyl-L-cysteine conjugate of sulforaphane (SFN-NAC). Total ITC metabolites in plasma peaked between 0 and 8 hours, whereas urinary excretion of total ITC equivalents and SFN-NAC occurred primarily between 2 and 12 hours. Results of this study indicate that the bioavailability of ITCs from fresh broccoli is approximately three times greater than that from cooked broccoli, in which myrosinase is inactivated. Considering the cancer-chemopreventive potential of ITCs, cooking broccoli may markedly reduce its beneficial effects on health.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Two-step steam pretreatment of softwood with SO2 impregnation for ethanol production.

Two-step steam pretreatment of softwood was investigated with the aim of improving the enzymatic digestibility for ethanol production. In the first step, softwood was impregnated with SO2 and steam pretreated at different severities. The first step was performed at low severity to hydrolyze the hemicellulose and release the sugars into the solution. The combination of time and temperature that yielded the highest amount of hemicellulosic sugars in the solution was determined. In the second step, the washed solid material from the optimized first step was impregnated once more with SO2 and steam pretreated under more severe conditions to enhance the enzymatic digestibility. The investigated temperature range was between 180 and 220 degrees C, and the residence times were 2, 5 and 10 min. The effectiveness of pretreatment was assessed by both enzymatic hydrolysis of the solids and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of the whole slurry after the second pretreatment step, in the presence of antibiotics. For each pretreatment combination, the liquid fraction was fermented to determine any inhibiting effects. At low severity in the second pretreatment step, a high conversion of cellulose was obtained in the enzymatic hydrolysis step, and at a high severity a high conversion of cellulose was obtained in the second pretreatment step. This resulted in an overall yield of sugars that was nearly constant over a wide range of severity. Compared with the one-step steam pretreatment, the two-step steam pretreatment resulted in a higher yield of sugar and in a slightly higher yield of ethanol. The overall sugar yield, when assessed by enzymatic hydrolysis, reached 80%. In the SSF configuration, an overall ethanol yield of 69% was attained.

Ethanol↗
PubMed1997

Comparative ruminal and total tract digestion of a finishing diet containing fresh vs air-dry steam-flaked corn.

Ten Holstein steers (465 +/- 6 kg) with cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a crossover design experiment to evaluate the influence of air-dry vs fresh steam-flaked corn on characteristics of ruminal and total tract digestion. The basal diet contained 77% steam-flaked corn (DM basis). Air-dry steam-flaked corn (SFC-AD) was obtained from a single batch that had been allowed to air-dry for 5 d before beginning the trial. Fresh steam-flaked corn (SFC-F) was produced daily Monday through Friday. Following production, the SFC-F was placed in air-tight polybags and stored at 4 degrees C until the time of feeding. There was little difference (P > .20) between SFC-AD and SFC-F with respect to site and extent of digestion of OM, starch, and fiber. Moreover, the two treatments did not differ (P > .20) in ruminal degradability of feed N. Apparent total tract N digestion was slightly greater (2.4%, P < .05) for SFC-F than for SFC-AD. Treatments did not affect ruminal pH (P > .20); however, VFA concentration of ruminal fluid tended to be greater (8.3%, P < .10) for SFC-F than for SFC-AD, indicating that the initial rate of fermentation may have been greater with SFC-F. Ruminal molar proportions of acetate were not affected by treatments (P > .20), but ruminal molar proportions of propionate tended to be greater (9.7%, P < .10) and molar proportions of butyrate tended to be less (10.0%, P < .10) for SFC-F than for SFC-AD. We conclude that the characteristics of digestion and the feeding value of steam-flaked corn is not altered by air drying before feeding.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Influence of lasalocid and monensin plus tylosin on comparative feeding value of steam-flaked versus dry-rolled corn in diets for feedlot cattle.

Two trials were conducted to characterize the differences in utilization of dry-rolled and steam-flaked corn in a growing-finishing diet for feedlot cattle supplemented with and without ionophores. Ionophore treatments were: 1) no ionophore, 2) 33 mg/kg monensin sodium plus 11 mg/kg tylosin and 3) 33 mg/kg lasalocid sodium. In trial 1, treatment effects on feedlot performance were evaluated in a 239-d growing-finishing trial involving 180 crossbred steers (approximately 25% Brahman with the remainder represented by Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn and Charolais breeds in various proportions) with an average initial weight of 153 kg. In trial 2, treatment effects on characteristics of digestion were evaluated using six steers of similar breeding and background to those used in trial 1, with cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum. There were no interactions between corn processing and ionophore supplementation (P greater than .20). Average daily gain was not affected by steam-flaking as opposed to dry-rolling, however, feed intake was decreased 5.4% and feed conversion was improved 6.8% (P less than .01). Steam-flaking increased the estimated net energy value of the diet 7.7% and 8.5% for maintenance and gain, respectively (P less than .01). Steam-flaking increased the digestibility of starch 6.6% (P less than .01). Steam-flaking increased ruminal molar concentrations of propionate and decreased acetate:propionate ratio and estimated methane production (P less than .10). Both monensin-tylosin and lasalocid resulted in reduced feed intake (12.3 and 6.5%, respectively, P less than .01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2002

Splanchnic and mammary nitrogen metabolism by dairy cows fed dry-rolled or steam-flaked sorghum grain.

Objectives were to determine net release or uptake of alpha-amino N, ammonia N, and urea N across portal-drained viscera, liver, splanchnic, and mammary tissues of lactating Holstein cows (n = 8, 86 +/- 8 d in milk) fed alfalfa hay-based total mixed rations containing 40% dry-rolled or steam-flaked sorghum grain. The total mixed rations were offered at 12-h intervals in a crossover design. Blood samples were obtained from indwelling catheters in the portal, hepatic, and mammary veins and mesenteric or costoabdominal arteries, every 2 h for each cow and diet. Steam-flaking increased in vitro rate of starch hydrolysis compared with dry-rolled sorghum (66 vs. 25%). Diet did not alter dry matter intake (18.2 +/- 0.3 kg). Daily milk yield (27.6 +/- 0.8 kg), efficiency of production, and most milk components did not differ between diets, but fat yield was reduced (0.86 vs. 0.91 kg/d) by steam-flaked sorghum, and lactose concentration was increased (4.99 vs. 4.82%). Blood flows in portal and hepatic veins did not differ between diets. Steam-flaking tended to increase urea N cycling to the gut (162 vs. 95 g/d) compared with dry-rolling of sorghum, whereas net absorption of ammonia N and alpha-amino N across portal-drained viscera were decreased. Net mammary uptake of a-amino N increased more than 20% (83 vs. 67 g/d), resulting in a higher mammary extraction ratio (15 vs. 11%) for steam-flaked versus dry-rolled sorghum. Flaking of sorghum improved the efficiency of postabsorptive N metabolism by increasing urea N cycled to the gut and alpha-amino N uptake by the mammary gland.

Animal Feed↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Distal-tip shape-consistency testing of steam-shaped microcatheters suitable for cerebral aneurysm coil placement.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although the selection of microcatheter for endovascular aneurysmal treatment is one important factor in patient outcome, the use of steam shaping for achieving safe entry and stability during coil placement has not, to our knowledge, been systematically evaluated. The goal of this study was to compare the durability of distal microcatheter steam shaping in five different catheters with typical intraprocedural stresses that are similar to those encountered during aneurysm coil placement. METHODS: Distal tips of microcatheters were shaped into a 90 degrees turn with distal straight-segment lengths of 3, 5, or 7 mm by using steam, performed according to the instructions for use included with each catheter. In a water bath kept at body temperature, the changes in catheter tip angle were recorded and measured following microcatheter insertion into a guiding catheter, microguidewire insertion through the microcatheter, and Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) placement through the microcatheter. RESULTS: The degree of distal microcatheter straightening with typical intraprocedural manipulations was more pronounced on braided microcatheters and on microcatheters with 3- or 5-mm distal-shaped segments. The degree of spontaneous recovery of the initially steamed shape was more pronounced with nonbraided catheters. The most significant single variable contributing to straightening of a steam-shaped catheter tip was the effect of microguidewire insertion. The catheter-tip straightening effect encountered with inserting GDCs was less than that encountered with microguidewire insertion. We demonstrated that the decreased catheter-tip angle encountered with a large-magnitude straightening stress spontaneously recovered once the stress was removed or when it was reduced to a smaller magnitude stress. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that, although braided microcatheters are suitable for maintaining durable configurations when long distal-tip lengths are permissible, nonbraided microcatheters demonstrate the most durable distal-tip configurations when short distal-tip lengths are called for. This may be one of significant factors in catheter choice for endovascular treatment of aneurysm.

Catheterization↗
PubMed1990

[Defective function of bioindicators for steam sterilization].

It can be shown, that under certain conditions commercially available indicators with Bacillus stearothermophilus and packages of native spores from soil prepared according to DIN 58 946/4 react differently to treatment in a lab-type steam sterilizer. The differences were most evident when incomplete evacuation of air had to be supposed. These results lead to the conclusion that some bioindicators are not able to show the inefficient function of steam sterilizers caused by local residuals of air. This may be caused by the properties of the selected strain, by the conditions of growth and preparation of the spores and by the culture medium used after exposition. The results of our experiments as well as the resistance of mesophilic spore forming bacilli against dry heat described by other authors make it necessary to test the resistance of bioindicators for steam sterilization not only against steam according to DIN 58946/4 but also against dry heat or mixtures of steam and air.

Geobacillus stearothermophilus↗
PubMed1985

Steam quality and effective sterilization.

Faced with using steam from a commercial utility having boilers greater than 5 miles distant and being the last user on the system resulted in ineffective sterilization. A three phase testing program was established utilizing: Direct physical measurements - an Ellison model 915A portable steam calorimeter. Direct microbiology - Autoclaved feed pellets were aseptically placed in fluid thioglycolate medium and incubated at 37 degrees C. Indirect microbiology - Feces from "defined flora" mice fed the autoclaved pelleted feed were tested. Colorimetric measurements verified that the steam sometimes contained greater than 5% entrained water. During periods of wet steam it was impossible to maintain consistent sterility of the mouse pellets even using a cycle of 126 degrees C for 60 minutes. One spore-forming Gram positive rod, Clostridium perfringens type D was the predominant bacterium isolated. Lactating mice, or mice stressed experimentally came down with diarrhea within days of eating pellets treated with wet steam (calorimetric measurements) and a subsequent positive culture. These mice voided stools predominantly showing Clostridium perfringens type D.

Animals↗
PubMed1964

SURVEY ON PREVACUUM HIGH-PRESSURE STEAM STERILIZERS.

None of the 10 prevacuum high-pressure sterilizers of different makes tested was able to produce and maintain the conditions advocated by the Medical Research Council working party on high-pressure steam sterilizers (1959) or by Knox and Penikett (1958) with the result that steam did not penetrate adequately the single challenge load and it was not sterilized. The sterilization of ;group drums' of various sizes and contents was erratic and tended to give operators a false sense of security. An alarming number of minor engineering faults were present in seven out of 10 machines tested and they require very much more skilled maintenance than is being given at the moment. The possibility of centralizing sterilizers to central sterile supply departments and placing them under the care of a regional engineer cannot be too highly recommended. The presence of undetected ;leaks' and a failure to draw a prevacuum of 20 mm. even with a steam burst interferes with sterilization of a challenge load. A leak test should be performed twice daily and should not exceed more than 1 mm. in one minute at 20 mm. absolute. The centre of the load should be monitored by crossed tapes or Brownes tubes in each sterilizing cycle. Although the challenge load was sterilized when the chamber was filled to capacity, a more reliable cycle consisting of a double prevacuum of 20 mm. or more with intermediate steam burst to 10 lb. ensured the sterilizing of a single challenge load, which could be adequately controlled by the chamber drain temperature.

Engineering↗
PubMed2002

Steam pressure disruption of municipal solid waste enhances anaerobic digestion kinetics and biogas yield.

Biomass waste, including municipal solid waste (MSW), contains lignocellulosic-containing fiber components that are not readily available as substrates for anaerobic digestion due to the physical shielding of cellulose imparted by the nondigestible lignin. Consequently, a substantial portion of the potentially available carbon is not converted to methane and the incompletely digested residues from anaerobic digestion generally require additional processing prior to their return to the environment. We investigated and developed steam pressure disruption as a treatment step to render lignocellulosic-rich biomass more digestible and as a means for increasing methane energy recovery. The rapid depressurization after steam heating (240 degrees C, 5 min.) of the nondigested residues following a 30-day primary digestion of MSW caused a visible disruption of fibers and release of soluble organic components. The disrupted material, after reinoculation, provided a rapid burst in methane production at rates double those observed in the initial digestion. This secondary digestion proceeded without a lag phase in gas production, provided approximately 40% additional methane yields, and was accompanied by a approximately 40% increase in volatile solids reduction. The secondary digestate was found to be enriched in lignin and significantly depleted in cellulose and hemi-cellulose components when compared to primary digestate. Thus, steam pressure disruption treatment rendered lignocellulosic substrates readily accessible to anaerobic digestion bacteria and improved both the kinetics of biogas production and the overall methane yield from MSW. Steam pressure disruption is central to a new anaerobic digestion process approach including sequential digestion stages and integrated energy recovery, to improve process yields, provide cogenerated energy for process needs, and to provide effective reuse and recycling of waste biomass materials.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMed2003

Isolation of volatile oil from thyme (Thymbra spicata) by steam distillation.

The effects of steam flow rate (1.03 and 0.64 L/h), distillation time, and particle size (0.50, 1.00, 2.05 mm) of Thymbra spicata on essential oil yield and sequence of extraction of compounds were studied. A logarithmic model fitted well to experimental data. The composition of the essential oil obtained by steam distillation was investigated for whole leaves only since the grinding had an adverse effect on yield. The oil obtained was very rich with respect to its carvacrol content. For both steam flow rates, oxygenated monoterpenes were recovered the most rapidly. Using whole leaves (2.05 mm) and a higher steam flow rate (1.03 L/h) for 75 min of distillation was chosen as the optimum which gives the lowest amount of monoterpene hydrocarbons, the complete recovery of oxygenated compounds, and the highest yield in a shorter time. Yield was 1.57% at this optimum condition. The oil was composed of 53.1% oxygenated compounds, 25.7% monoterpene hydrocarbons, 4.4% sesquiterpenes, and 14.1% p-cymene.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed1998

[Comparison between steam and gas sterilized optics. Costs, availability, maintenance].

METHODS: In a 300-bed acute-care hospital we compared optical instruments employed, for orthopedic, urological and gynecological operations during their use in practice. The comparison between 33 ethylene oxide(EO)-sterilized optical instruments and 14 steam-sterilized optical instruments took into account the following criteria: frequency of use; availability; sterilization cycles; kind, cost and number of repairs. RESULTS: The 33 EO-sterilized optical instruments were handled 1043 times and were repaired 10 times (at a cost of up to 2000 SFR). The 14 steam-sterilized optical instruments were treated 1101 times and were repaired 8 times (2000 SFR). The total costs were 77,000 SFR for the 14 steam-sterilized instruments and 132,000 SFR for the 33 EO-sterilized instruments. INTERPRETATION: Steam-sterilization is a reasonable, safe and fast method of sterilizing optical instruments. We prefer this method, given its advantages (less toxicity, personal care and pollution control).

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed2006

The mechanically stable steam sterilization of bone grafts.

Bone allografts are the standard material used in augmentative bone surgery. However, steam-sterilized bone has a low mechanical stability and limited ossification based on low strain-adapted bone remodelling. Here we describe a new technique which allows the bone to be autoclaved without losing its mechanical stability and osteoconductivity. The compression strength of the new material was compared with steam-sterilized and fresh bone based on mechanical testing using bone cylinders (n=30/group). Allogeneic new material and fresh bone were press-fit implanted into rabbit patellar grooves and examined under fluorescent light and conventional microscopy. Initial healing was assessed after 30 d (n=5/group). Osseous integration and remodelling was studied after 100 d (n=12/group). Steam-sterilized bone showed no mechanical stability, whereas the new material was stiff and had compression curves similar to fresh bone; both groups showed equal degrees of direct ossification after 30 d, advanced bony ingrowth and remodelling after 100 d, and similar ingrowth depths on histomorphometric analysis. The new method preserved the stiffness and osteoconductivity of bone after steam sterilization, and microstructure, mineralization, and composition were conserved. This technique could be useful for bone banking in Third World countries.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Lignin depolymerization/repolymerization and its critical role for delignification of aspen wood by steam explosion.

Steam explosion is an important process for the fractionation of biomass components. In order to understand the behaviour of lignin under the conditions encountered in the steam explosion process, as well as in other types of steam treatment, aspen wood and isolated lignin from aspen were subjected to steam treatment under various conditions. The lignin portion was analyzed using NMR and size exclusion chromatography as major analytical techniques. Thereby, the competition between lignin depolymerization and repolymerization was revealed and the conditions required for these two types of reaction identified. Addition of a reactive phenol, 2-naphthol, was shown to inhibit the repolymerization reaction strongly, resulting in a highly improved delignification by subsequent solvent extraction and an extracted lignin of uniform structure.

Biomass↗
PubMed2004

On spurious water flow during numerical simulation of steam injection into water-saturated soil.

Numerical simulation of steam injection into a water-saturated porous medium may be hindered by unphysical behavior causing the model to slow down. We show how spurious water flow may arise on the boundary between a steam zone and a saturated zone, giving rise to dramatic pressure drops. This is caused by the discretization of the temperature gradient coupled with the direct relation between pressure and temperature in the steam zone. The problem may be a severe limitation to numerical modeling. A solution is presented where the spurious water flow is blocked and this widely enhances the performance of the model. This new method is applied to a previously reported example exhibiting numerical problems. Furthermore, it is applied to the simulation of 2-D sandbox experiments where LNAPL is remediated from a smearing zone by steam injection. These experiments would have been difficult to analyze numerically without the adjustment to prevent spurious flow.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2005

A validation survey of 197 hospital steam sterilizers in The Netherlands in 2001 and 2002.

Steam sterilization is the most common method of sterilization used in hospitals and by companies sterilizing for hospitals. This study validated 197 steam sterilizers with respect to technical condition, various production processes and routine control tests, according to the European norms and standards for steam sterilization. Overall, only 40% of the validated steam sterilizers met the norms and standards. We recommend that adequate measures need to be taken, based on the comments in the validation reports, in order to guarantee the sterility of processed medical items.

Europe↗
PubMed2001

Burns due to exposure to steam.

Injuries due to accidental contact with steam are occasionally encountered. They can be quite severe, especially when associated respiratory problems are present. Thirteen patients with burns resulting from exposure to steam were admitted to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center during a 2-year period. All injuries were employment related. Twelve burns resulted from the rupture of pipes carrying steam. One additional case was due to a cooking accident. There were 12 males and one female. Burn size ranged from 1 to 57% (mean 26.2%). Age ranged from 26 to 53 years (mean 33). Seven had inhalation injuries with blistering and slough of bronchial mucosa. The hospital stay ranged from 2 to 41 days. One patient died of respiratory problems. From one to five operations were required by the survivors; two required later reconstructive surgery. Closer supervision of industrial plants in which pipes carrying steam are present may have prevented some of these accidents.

Accidents, Occupational↗