Nonstarter lactic acid bacteria biofilms and calcium lactate crystals in Cheddar cheese

A sanitized cheese plant was swabbed for the presence of nonstarter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) biofilms. Swabs were analyzed to determine the sources and microorganisms responsible for contamination. In pilot plant experiments, cheese vats filled with standard cheese milk (lactose:protein = 1.47) and ultrafiltered cheese milk (lactose:protein = 1.23) were inoculated with Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris starter culture (8 log cfu/mL) with or without Lactobacillus curvatus or Pediococci acidilactici as adjunct cultures (2 log cfu/mL). Cheddar cheeses were aged at 7.2 or 10 degrees C for 168 d. The raw milk silo, ultrafiltration unit, cheddaring belt, and cheese tower had NSLAB biofilms ranging from 2 to 4 log cfu/100 cm2. The population of Lb. curvatus reached 8 log cfu/g, whereas P. acidilactici reached 7 log cfu/g of experimental Cheddar cheese in 14 d. Higher NSLAB counts were observed in the first 14 d of aging in cheese stored at 10 degrees C compared with that stored at 7.2 degrees C. However, microbial counts decreased more quickly in Cheddar cheeses aged at 10 degrees C compared with 7.2 degrees C after 28 d. In cheeses without specific adjunct cultures (Lb. curvatus or P. acidilactici), calcium lactate crystals were not observed within 168 d. However, crystals were observed after only 56 d in cheeses containing Lb. curvatus, which also had increased concentration of D(-)-lactic acid compared with control cheeses. Our research shows that low levels of contamination with certain NSLAB can result in calcium lactate crystals, regardless of lactose:protein ratio.

Auricular trauma and its management

Forty cases of external ear trauma have been studied during a period of three years from Jan '2001 to December 2004. It was observed that accidental trauma to the auricle may result in laceration, partial or complete loss of auricle. Injury of the tympanic membrane, temporal bone or facio maxillary region may be associated with auricular trauma. All wounds of auricle carry a risk of infection leading to perichondritis. Principles of successful treatment are conservation of tissue and prevention of infection.

A phase II study of the efficacy and toxicity of alemtuzumab for the therapy of human T cell lymphotrophic virus-1 (HTLV-1)-associated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL)

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Background: HTLV-1-associated ATL is an aggressive lymphoproliferative disorder with limited effective therapy. Alemtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against CD52. High levels of CD52 are expressed on the surface of ATL cells. Preclinical studies in the MET-1 mouse model of ATL showed alemtuzumab to be highly active. Methods: A single institution open-label phase II study examining the response and toxicity of alemtuzumab in patients with ATL. Eligibility criteria: HTLV-1-associated ATL (chronic, acute and lymphoma type), ≥10% CD52+ malignant cells, measurable disease, age ≥18 years, AGC ≥1000/μL, platelets ≥50,000/μL, adequate physiologic status and informed consent. Results: Ten (10) patients, 6 with leukemia, 4 with lymphoma, 8 Afro-Caribbean, 1 African-American and 1 Japanese, 7 women, 3 men, median age 49 years (range, 36–62), all having received previous treatments including CHOP (7), other monoclonal antibodies (5), radioimmunotherapy (2), and radiation (1), median WBC 48,500/μL (leukemia Pts.) received alemtuzumab standard induction followed by 30 mg 3 times weekly for a minimum of 4 weeks and maximum of 12 weeks. All patients experienced infusion reactions (grade, 1–3) including hypotension, fever, rigors, chills, pruritus and urticaria; however, no patient required discontinuation of treatment. All patients developed grade 4 lymphopenia, and transient cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia. Four (4) patients with leukemia responded (1 CR, 3 PR). No patient with lymphoma responded. Conclusions: Alemtuzumab has antitumor activity in HTLV-1-associated adult T cell leukemia and is well tolerated. Lymphomatous ATL appears unresponsive to alemtuzumab. The reason for this is unknown; however, antibody levels achieved in lymph nodes may be suboptimal. Accrual continues.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Localized congestive venous encephalopathy associated with cavernous dural arteriovenous malformation

An unusual case of venous congestive encephalopathy associated with cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous malformation is reported. The parenchymal changes consisted of a well-demarcated area of hyperintensity on T2-weighted MR images involving the cortex and underlying white matter in the ipsilateral temporal and posterior frontal region. It showed mass effect and persisted for 2 years before evolving into a venous infarction.

An outbreak of dengue fever in periurban slums of Chandigarh, India, with special reference to entomological and climatic factors

BACKGROUND

Dengue viral infection is one of the most important public health problem in tropical countries.

AIM

An outbreak of dengue fever was investigated in a periurban slum area of Chandigarh, India, during September to December, 2002.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Blood samples from 218 patients and 30 apparently healthy contacts were tested for dengue-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies including 80 acute samples collected within 5 days of illness were subjected for virus isolation in newborn mice. The average temperature, rainfall, and humidity of the epidemic year were compared with the number of dengue cases.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

statistical significance was found out using c2-test.

RESULTS

A total of 76 cases were positive by either dengue IgM capture assay (n = 57) or virus isolation (n = 17) or both (n = 2). Fifteen of nineteen viral isolates subjected for typing by type-specific multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were found to be of dengue virus. High rainfall and humidity with the temperature range from 21 degrees C to 33 degrees C during the months of August and September might have favored the breeding of mosquitoes, thus leading to an increase in the number of dengue cases in October and November, 2002.

CONCLUSION

The present outbreak thus emphasizes the need for continuous sero epidemiological and entomological surveillance for the timely implementation of effective dengue control programme.

Estrogen receptor alpha and beta immunoreactive neurons in normal adult and aged female rat hippocampus: a qualitative and quantitative study

We have studied the distribution pattern and levels of expression of two estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes, ERalpha and ERbeta, in the normal adult (n = 10) and the aged (n = 10) female rat hippocampus with the objective to establish baseline data and the changes that occur during aging. Techniques including immunohistochemical localization, co-localization with double immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, image analysis including neuronal counts/mm(2) area and measurements of optical density (OD) of immunoreactivity in immunoreactive neurons and Western blot analysis have been used. The results revealed ERalpha and ERbeta positive neurons in all subfields of the hippocampus with maximum presence in the stratum pyramidale of CA3. Some stained neurons in CA3 exhibited pyramidal neuron like morphological characteristics; such neurons were not found in CA1. All other immunoreactive neurons showed non-pyramidal neuron like morphological characteristics. Neuronal counts revealed a significant decrease in the number of immunoreactive neurons in CA3-CA1 of aged hippocampus. The percent decrease in counts of the immunoreactive neurons/mm(2) area in the aged rat (compared to the adult) was 78% for the ERalpha and 88% for the ERbeta (P < 0.001) in CA3. In CA1, it was 56% (P < 0.001) and 41% (P < 0.01) respectively. The OD of immunoreactivity was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in CA3 but increased (P < 0.01) in the CA1 immunoreactive neurons. Western blot analysis also showed a significant decline (P < 0.01) in the levels of the ERalpha and ERbeta proteins in the aged hippocampus. Co-localization revealed that the two ER subtypes do co-exist in the same hippocampal neurons.

A comparison of four methods of tonometry: method agreement and interobserver variability

AIM

To compare the inter-method agreement in intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements made with four different tonometric methods.

METHODS

IOP was measured with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), Tono-Pen XL, ocular blood flow tonograph (OBF), and Canon TX-10 non-contact tonometer (NCT) in a randomised order in one eye of each of 105 patients with ocular hypertension or glaucoma. Three measurements were made with each method, and by each of two independent GAT observers. GAT interobserver and tonometer inter-method agreement was assessed by the Bland-Altman method. The outcome measures were 95% limits of agreement for IOP measurements between GAT observers and between tonometric methods, and 95% confidence intervals for intra-session repeated measurements.

RESULTS

The mean differences (bias) in IOP measurements were 0.4 mm Hg between GAT observers, and 0.6 mm Hg, 0.1 mm Hg, and 0.7 mm Hg between GAT and Tono-Pen, OBF, and NCT, respectively. The 95% limits of agreement were smallest (bias +/-2.6 mm Hg) between GAT observers, and larger for agreement between the GAT and the Tono-Pen, OBF, and NCT (bias +/-6.7, +/-5.5, and +/-4.8 mm Hg, respectively). The OBF and NCT significantly underestimated GAT measurements at lower IOP and overestimated these at higher IOP. The repeatability coefficients for intra-session repeated measurement for each method were +/-2.2 mm Hg and +/-2.5 mm Hg for the GAT, +/-4.3 mm Hg for the Tono-Pen, +/-3.7 mm Hg for the OBF, and +/-3.2 mm Hg for the NCT.

CONCLUSIONS

There was good interobserver agreement with the GAT and moderate agreement between the NCT and GAT. The differences between the GAT and OBF and between the GAT and Tono-Pen probably preclude the OBF and Tono-Pen from routine clinical use as objective methods to measure IOP in normal adult eyes.

The influence of central corneal thickness and age on intraocular pressure measured by pneumotonometry, non-contact tonometry, the Tono-Pen XL, and Goldmann applanation tonometry

AIMS

To evaluate the influence of central corneal thickness (CCT) on intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements made with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), Tono-Pen XL, ocular blood flow tonograph (OBF), and Canon TX-10 non-contact tonometer (NCT).

METHODS

CCT was recorded for either eye (randomly selected) of each of 105 untreated patients with ocular hypertension and glaucoma attending the glaucoma research unit at Moorfields Eye Hospital. For each of the selected eyes, IOP was measured with the GAT (two observers), Tono-Pen, OBF, and NCT in a randomised order. The relation of measured IOP and of inter-tonometer differences with CCT and subject age was explored by linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

A significant association between measured IOP and CCT was found with each instrument. The change in measured IOP for a 10 mum increase in CCT was 0.28, 0.31, 0.38, and 0.46 for the GAT, Tono-Pen, OBF, and NCT, respectively (all p< or = 0.05). There was a significant association between the NCT/GAT differences and CCT, with a tendency of NCT to overestimate GAT in eyes with thicker corneas. There was a significant association between GAT/Tono-Pen and OBF/Tono-Pen differences and age, with a tendency of GAT and OBF to overestimate the Tono-Pen in eyes of older subjects.

CONCLUSION

IOP measurement by all four methods is affected by CCT. The NCT is affected by CCT significantly more than the GAT. Subject age has a differential effect on the IOP measurements made by the GAT and OBF compared to the Tono-Pen.

An integrated electro-chemical and natural treatment system for industrial water pollution control

Experiments were conducted to test the feasibility of applying an integrated electro-chemical (EC) and natural treatment system for treatment of some industrial wastewaters. The EC process was found to be very effective in removing lead, a model heavy metal from some wastewaters. Within 20 minutes of operation time, 5 to 10 A of electric current and specific surface area of electrode of 46.51 m2/m3, the lead concentrations in the wastewaters were reduced from 35-100 mg/l to less than 1 mg/l. Based on a kinetic model developed from the experimental data, the important parameters for the EC process were found to be electric current, specific surface area of electrode, and operation time. From scanning electron microscopic and X-ray diffractometric (XRD) analysis, the EC sludge samples were found to compose mainly of maghemite (Fe2O3), magnetite (Fe3O4), and laurionite (PbClOH), suitable for disposal to secure landfills. Two pilot-scale constructed wetlands (CW) in series, a model natural treatment system, were employed to treat wastewaters of an industrial estate in Thailand. At organic loading rates of 57-140 kg BOD/hectare-year, these constructed wetlands were able to reduce BOD from 90 to 4 mg/l, while suspended solids, total nitrogen and total phosphorus were reduced from 100 to 10 mg/l, 24 to 4.6 mg/l and 7 to 1.5 mg/l, respectively, during the summer season. These results demonstrated technical feasibility of CW in removing organic and other pollutants contained in this industrial wastewater.

Molecular characterization of infectious bursal disease virus isolates from Nepal based on hypervariable region of VP2 gene

Two Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) isolates, NP1SSH and NP2K were obtained from a severe infectious bursal disease (IBD) outbreak in Nepal in 2002. The hypervariable (HV) region of VP2 gene (1326 bp) of the isolates was generated by RT-PCR and sequenced. The obtained nucleotide sequences were compared with those of twenty other IBDV isolates/strains. Phylogenetic analysis based on this comparison revealed that NP1SSH and NP2K clustered with very virulent (vv) IBDV strains of serotype 1. In contrast, classical, Australian classical and attenuated strains of serotype 1 and avirulent IBDV strains of serotype 2 formed a different cluster. The deduced amino acid sequences of the two isolates showed a 98.3% identity with each other and 97.1% and 98.3% identities, respectively with very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) isolates/strains. Three amino acids substitutions at positions 300 (E-->A), 308 (I-->F) and 334 (A-->P) within the HV region were common for both the isolates. The amino acids substitutions at positions 27 (S-->T), 28 (I-->T), 31 (D-->A), 36 (H-->Y), 135 (E-->G), 223 (G-->S), 225 (V-->I), 351 (L-->I), 352 (V-->E) and 399 (I-->S) for NP1SSH and at position 438 (I-->S) for NP2K were unique and differed from other IBDV isolates/strains. NP1SSH and NP2K showed highest similarity (97.8%) with the BD399 strain from Bangladesh as compared with other vvIBDV isolates/strains. We conclude that the NP1SSH and NP2K isolates of IBDV from Nepal represent vvIBDV of serotype 1.

Effect of detached/re-suspended solids from sewer sediment on the sewage phase bacterial activity

This study was conducted to make an assessment of the effects of the detached/re-suspended solids on the bacterial activity in the sewage phase of a gravity sewer. A physical sewer-model was used to simulate two extreme conditions: sewage flow without the presence of sewer sediment, and filtered sewage flow with the sediment. The first scenario was to evaluate the effect of the settling of solids on the bacterial activity, while the second scenario was to examine the effect of purely re-suspended or detached solids. The water media were aerated to obtain an initial DO level at about 6 mg/L, and the bacterial activity was monitored at a regular time interval during each operation. Two bacterial cell staining techniques, one using 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenyl indole (DAPI), and another using 5-cyano 2, 3-ditoyl tetrazolium chloride (CTC), were employed to measure the amount of total and respiring bacteria, respectively. Both the DAPI and CTC counts decreased with time in the first case, while that increased with time in the second case. The bacterial activity in a sewer phase was observed to be contributed by smaller sized particles. Also, the solids originated from the sewer sediment through re-suspension or detachment demonstrated a higher bacterial activity than the solids originally present in the sewage.

Unilateral gestational macromastia--a rare disorder

Macromastia is the massive enlargement of the breast, unilateral or bilateral, disproportionate to the growth of the rest of the body. It is called gravid macromastia or gigantomastia of pregnancy when it occurs during pregnancy. It may or may not regress following parturition. Gestational macromastia is exceptionally rare. We report a 28-year-old female with gigantomastia of the left breast. She presented at four months post-partum with painful massive enlargement of the left breast since the third month of pregnancy. The overlying skin was stretched out and showed multiple ulcers with foul smelling discharge. The nipple and areola were unremarkable. Simple mastectomy was done, as fine needle aspiration cytology was suggestive of phylloides tumour. The breast specimen measured 30 x 30 x 9 cm and was replaced totally by grey-white tissue involving all the resection margins. No normal breast tissue or fat was identified. Histopathology showed periductal as well as diffuse fibrosis, adenosis and lactational changes. No features of phylloides tumour or carcinoma were present and it was diagnosed as unilateral gestational macromastia.

Interference of three weed extracts on uptake of nutrient in three different varieties of paddy through radio tracer techniques

Interference of three dominant weed extracts viz., Ageratum conyzoides L., Melilotus indica All. and Parthenium hysterophorus L. were examined on seed germination, seedling growth, and nutrient uptake (32P and 65Zn) in three different varieties (PD-10, PD-12 and PB) of paddy (Oryza sativa L.). Among the three different varieties irrespective of weed extracts, PD-10 and PD-12 were resistant and PB was susceptible in terms of seed germination, radicle length and plumule dry weight; and PD-12 and PB were resistant and susceptible, respectively, in terms of plumule length and total seedling dry weight. A. conyzoides caused maximum reduction in seed germination and M. indica in seedling growth in different varieties of paddy. The weed extracts interfered in uptake of both 32P and 65Zn and there was a gradual decrease in uptake of both nutrients with increasing concentration of extracts in both root and shoot. The uptake of 32P and 65Zn was more inhibitory with the extracts of A. conyzoides and M. indica, respectively in different varieties. The inhibition in seed germination, seedling growth and nutrient uptake may be due to the presence of phenolics and other secondary metabolities. The phenolics such as gallic, vanillic, protocatechuic and p-hydroxybenzoic acids were identified from these weed extracts.

Etiology and outcome of childhood and adolescent diabetes mellitus in North India

The etiology of childhood onset diabetes mellitus (DM) varies between regions and races, and its long-term outcome is affected by social and economic factors. There are scant data on the etiology of childhood DM and outcome of multidisciplinary team management from developing countries. We retrospectively analyzed case records of 160 predominantly middle socio-economic group patients with onset of DM < or =18 years of age for etiology and features at presentation. In addition, we prospectively studied acute and chronic complications and metabolic control in a subset of 67 patients. Type 1 DM comprised 81%, type 2 DM 8%, and fibrocalculous pancreatic DM 9% of patients. Mean HbA1c was 8.0+/-1.5%. Retinopathy was present in 22% and nephropathy in 18% of those with DM duration > or =5 years (mean age 21.2+/-6.8 years, mean duration 10.2+/-4.6 years). The frequency of ketoacidosis and severe hypoglycemia was 5.0 and 3.3 episodes per 100 patient years. Mortality was 7% over 823 person years of follow up. We conclude that fairly good metabolic control is achievable in a middle socio-economic population in India, with the assistance of a diabetes education program. The frequency of microvascular complications is comparable to that in the literature. However, mortality remains unacceptably high.

Possible relationship between phenylthiocarbamide taste sensitivity and epilepsy

The study was based on the data of a sample of 400 epileptic patients (200 idiopathic and 200 symptomatic) and 100 normal healthy individuals serving as controls. The PTC threshold distribution was bimodal. The number of non-tasters among idiopathic epileptics (35.5%) and symptomatic epileptics (32.5%) was significantly higher than controls (20%). The relative incidence of non-tasters in idiopathic and symptomatic epilepsies was 2.20 and 1.93 respectively. There is evidence that non-tasters tend to ingest a greater quantity of bitter tasting goitrogenic substances present naturally in edible plants which in turn exert greater thyroid stress in non-tasters or less sensitive tasters. Such a stress during intrauterine or early childhood growth and development might have affected neurological maturation which in turn made them more susceptible to epilepsy than tasters, who faced lesser stress.

Replacement value of undecorticated sunflower meal as a supplement for milk production by crossbred cows and buffaloes in the northern plains of India

The replacement value of undecorticated sunflower meal (SFM) in the diets of dairy animals was assessed on-station and on-farm. Eighteen primiparous crossbred (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) cows (350.4 +/- 8.84 kg), randomly allocated to three groups, were used in the on-station study. The animals were fed on either a conventional concentrate supplement (control) or on an experimental concentrate, in which SFM replaced 25% (SFM-25) or 50% (SFM-50) of the CP in the control supplement. Green oats (Avena sativa) were supplied ad libitum. A metabolism trial conducted following 60 days of experimental feeding revealed that the intakes of DM, DCP and TDN were similar among the groups. The digestibilities of OM, CP, EE, NDF and ADF were also without significant differences. All the groups were in positive nitrogen balance. Inclusion of SFM at either level had no effect on the intake, excretion or retention of nitrogen. The daily milk yield and its composition did not differ among the dietary treatments. Moreover, the efficiency of utilization of DOM and TDN for FCM production tended to reflect, although non-significantly, increasing levels of SFM inclusion. In the on-farm study, seven multiparous milking buffaloes belonging to six farmers were used to assess the effect of replacing 20% of the CP of the conventional supplement with SFM, in a predominantly crop residue-based diet. The study continued for 4 months and revealed that the average daily feed intake and milk production was similar in the control and SFM-fed groups. It was concluded that SFM can be effectively utilized as a cheaper replacement for costly oil cakes and wheat bran for economic milk production by smallholder farmers.