Photohydroionisation for disinfection of poultry litter

1. This study evaluated photohydroionisation efficiency on the disinfection of new shavings used as substrate for litter in the poultry industry, pre-inoculated with bacterial, fungal and viral agents.2. Each replicate consisted of 250 g of new shavings sterilised by autoclaving, challenged with bacterial (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enterica, serovar Abony), fungal (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and viral inoculum (Gumboro disease virus). The experiment consisted of six replicates at four times (0, 1, 5 or 10 min exposure) of photohydroionisation. The disinfection process was performed in a bench photohydroionisation device with four ultraviolet lamps. The agents inoculated in the shavings were analysed after the disinfection process.3. The counts of enterobacteria and total bacteria showed a quadratic effect. In contrast, the counts of fungi and viruses showed a negative linear effect with an increase in the time of photohydroionisation. The enterobacteria showed a linear response plateau effect (LRP), with a minimum time point of 5.498 minutes at a minimum contamination of 0.666 CFU/g and a reduction of 82.27% of the pre-established inoculum. Total bacteria had an LRP effect with a minimum time point of 1.902 minutes at minimum contamination of 1.739 CFU/g and a reduction of 50.0% of the pre-established inoculum. An LRP effect was found for fungi, with a minimum time point of 7.931 minutes in minimum contamination of 3.380 CFU/g, and with a reduction of 11.0% of the pre-established inoculum. For viruses, there was an LRP effect with a minimum time point of 5.012 minutes in minimum contamination of 0.000 viral titre per 100 g of shavings, which was reduced by 100% of the pre-established inoculum.4. Photohydroionisation in the disinfection of new shavings used as poultry litter has partial potential as a microbiological control tool, as a complete reduction occurred only for the viruses, whereas for bacteria and fungi only partial reductions of these microorganisms were observed.

A randomized trial of a dissonance-based eating disorder prevention program

OBJECTIVE

As psychoeducational eating disorder prevention programs have not been shown to reduce bulimic pathology, we developed and evaluated a dissonance-based intervention for high-risk populations.

METHOD

Young women (N = 87) with body image concerns were randomized to this intervention, which involves verbal, written, and behavioral exercises requiring them to critique the thin-ideal, or to a healthy weight management control group. Participants completed a baseline, termination, and 4-week follow-up survey.

RESULTS

Participants in the dissonance intervention reported decreased thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, dieting, negative affect, and bulimic symptoms at termination and at 4-week follow-up. Unexpectedly, participants in the healthy weight management control group also reported some benefits.

DISCUSSION

Taken in conjunction with past findings, these preliminary results suggest that the dissonance intervention, and to a lesser extent the healthy weight management intervention, may reduce bulimic pathology and risk factors for eating disturbances.

Molecular mechanisms of T lymphocyte activation: convergence of T cell antigen receptor and IL-1 receptor-induced signaling at the level of IL-2 gene transcription

Co-stimulation of murine EL-4 thymoma cells-carrying high numbers of TCR and type I IL-1 receptors (IL-1R)-with anti-CD3 antibodies and IL-1 resulted in synergistic enhancement of IL-2 synthesis. While the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade was activated by both receptors, IL-1 preferentially stimulated Jun-N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated kinase or microtubule-associated protein kinase (MAPK). Interruption of TCR- or IL-1R-stimulated ERK cascade by PD-98059, a specific inhibitor of MAP/ERK kinase (MEK), resulted in partial suppression of nuclear factor of activated T cells activation and in complete inhibition of IL-1-stimulated NFkappaB activation. Suppression of activation of both MEK and p38 MAPK resulted in significant inhibition of IL-2 gene expression. The results show that maximal activation of the IL-2 gene requires activation of at least two different protein kinase cascades, i.e. of the ERK and p38 pathways but presumably also that of JNK which converge at the level of the IL-2 promoter resulting in enhancement of its transcriptional activity.

Conventional and extended-release etodolac for postsurgical dental pain

This double-masked, parallel-group, randomized study compared the analgesic efficacy and tolerability of a single investigational 1200-mg dose of extended-release etodolac with those of a single 400-mg dose of extended-release etodolac and twice-daily doses of conventional etodolac 200 and 400 mg and placebo given 8 hours apart in 237 patients with moderate or severe postoperative pain following surgical removal of > or = 2 impacted third molars. Both doses of conventional etodolac and the 1200-mg dose of extended-release etodolac were significantly more effective on all summary analgesic measures than placebo (P < 0.05). Conventional etodolac had an onset of analgesic activity within 45 (400 mg) to 60 (200 mg) minutes and an analgesic duration of 5 to 6 hours. Extended-release etodolac 1200 mg had an onset of action within 60 minutes and an analgesic duration of 12 to 24 hours. At hours 2 and 3, conventional etodolac 400 mg was significantly more effective than the other treatments; from hours 6 through 12, extended-release etodolac 1200 mg was significantly more effective than the other treatments (both, P < 0.05). No serious adverse events were observed in this study, with an incidence of side effects in the active etodolac groups no different than that with placebo. Extended-release etodolac 1200 mg has a prolonged analgesic duration and an acceptable side-effect profile in the oral surgery pain model.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic action of etodolac in patients after oral surgery

The objective of this double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of etodolac and the pharmacodynamic response of pain in patients following oral surgery who had received 200 or 400 mg of etodolac immediate release (IR), 400 or 1200 mg of etodolac extended release (ER), or a placebo. Etodolac concentrations in 441 plasma samples from 187 patients were analyzed for population pharmacokinetics using the NONMEM program. A one-compartment pharmacokinetic model with first-order absorption described the observed data. For etodolac IR, the population mean (%CV) estimates were 3.01 L/h (5.3%) for clearance, 13.6 L (6.8%) for volume of distribution, and 2.31 h-1 (33%) for ka. Respective values for etodolac ER were 3.68 L/h (11%) for clearance, 24.3 L (22%) for volume of distribution, and 0.172 h-1 (24%) for ka. These values generally agreed with previously reported values in healthy adults. Pharmacodynamic assessments included collection of a four-level categorical rating of pain intensity for up to 24 hours after treatment. Pain intensity difference scores were temporally related to etodolac concentrations and were described using an indirect response model. Mean (%CV) pharmacodynamic parameters were IC50 of 14.0 mg/L (9.5%), kout of 1.62 h-1 (13%), FR of 0.56 (8.2%), and Hill coefficients that ranged from 1.26 to 3.34 units. A single 1200 mg dose of etodolac ER given once daily was shown to provide substantial efficacy for 13 hours after dose, modest effect through 24 hours, and a more sustained duration of action than the IR dosage form.

Different protein kinase C isoenzymes regulate IL-2 receptor expression or IL-2 synthesis in human lymphocytes stimulated via the TCR

Stimulation of purified human PBL with mAbs raised against the T cell receptor resulted in an immediate and transient activation of protein kinase C-alpha (PKC-alpha) and PKC-theta, peaking at 10 min, whereas PKC-beta, -delta, and -epsilon were translocated with a delay of >90 min and remained activated for up to 2 h. To characterize specific functions of distinct PKC isoenzymes, Abs against different PKC isoenzymes were introduced by means of electropermeabilization. Neutralization of PKC-alpha and -theta resulted in the complete inhibition of IL-2R expression, whereas anti-PKC-beta, -delta, and -epsilon Abs inhibited IL-2 synthesis. Extensive control experiments have shown that neither electropermeabilization nor control Ig influenced PKC activity and cellular functions. Our data thus clearly show that specific PKC isoenzymes regulate different cellular functions in stimulated human lymphocytes.

Interleukin-1 induced signalling: biphasic activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinases in HeLa cells. Involvement of phosphoprotein phosphatases

Results of this study document a biphasic activation of protein kinases of the MAP kinase cascade-MEK and MAP kinases-upon interleukin-1 stimulation in human HeLa cells. The specific activities of both MEK and MAP kinases were increased within 1 min, declined rapidly to control levels and increased again after 15 min of interleukin-1 stimulation. Inhibition by okadaic acid of serine/threonine specific phosphatases resulted in a marked increase in interleukin-1 stimulated MEK and MAP kinase activities. Elevation by interleukin-1 of the specific activities of MEK and MAP kinases correlated with suppression of serine/threonine phosphatases in the late phase of stimulation. The data indicate, that enhanced phosphorylation of cellular proteins by enzymes of the MAP kinase cascade might represent a fine balance between activated protein kinases and repressed phosphoprotein phosphatase 2A in interleukin-1 stimulated HeLa cells.

Measurement of water and carbon dioxide loss from insects using radioactive isotopes

A method is described for investigating the rate of loss of water and carbon dioxide from terrestrial insects by absorbing tritiated water and 14CO2 from a gas stream flowing past the insect. The loss of water and carbon dioxide can be studied simultaneously with a time resolution (nominal) down to 2 min. The theoretical and experimental bases of analysing the data are considered in detail. The determination of the efflux rate constant for water is straightforward and, if an estimate of surface area is available, the efflux rate constant can be converted to a permeability coefficient. In the case of 14CO2 loss, the interpretation is complicated by the presence of other compartments within the body that can be labelled with 14C. A multicompartment model of 14C exchange is developed and a method of obtaining the efflux rate constant of 14CO2 is described. The efflux rate constant for 14CO2 can be used to estimate CO2 output.

[Exertion-related disorders in body temperature regulation in 8 participants in the Dam-to-Dam run 1993]

In eight recreational runners (seven men and one woman, aged 16 to 50 years) participating in a 16 kilometer run, disturbances in thermoregulation were diagnosed. Six experienced sudden collapse without any prodromal signs, two were exhausted and had muscle spasms. Heat exhaustion was diagnosed in four runners, exertion-related hyperthermia in three and exertion-related heat stroke in one. As a complication the latter patient developed rhabdomyolysis with low grade intravascular coagulation and acute renal insufficiency. The most important therapy consists of cooling the patient, the most important preventive measures are wearing light clothing and drinking regularly during the run.

Convergence insufficiency in brain-injured patients

Disorders of eye movements are relatively common in brain-injured patients. Some of these disturbances are caused by direct trauma to the orbital content, cranial nerves and other brain areas. Convergence, which is a part of the near-vision complex and depends on the integrative function of the cortical and subcortical areas, is commonly affected by traumatic brain injury. Intact vergence needs the integrative function of brain structures associated with acquisition of information on one side and intact mesencephalic function, including function of a vergence integrator, and their interconnections. Clinical investigation of vergence function in 26 traumatically brain-injured patients examined as early as possible after trauma revealed disturbances in over a third of the examinees. A follow-up of 72 patients some 3 years after injury revealed vergence insufficiency in 42%. Convergence insufficiency was associated with longer periods of coma (p less than 0.001), presence of cognitive disturbances (p less than 0.005) and patients' failing to find work in the open market (p less than 0.01). It is suggested that the presence of disturbed vergence several years after trauma, and its close association with prolonged coma and cognitive disturbances, is an expression of permanent damage to mesencephalic and cortical brain structures and can serve as an important aid in evaluation of these patients. This paper describes the close relationship between vergence state and over-all rehabilitation outcome as evaluated by patients' occupational status.

Safe closure of the difficult duodenal stump

A method of closing the difficult duodenal stump after a subtotal gastrectomy (Billroth II) is described herein. The duodenal stump is implanted in the efferent jejunal loop and then an entero-enterostomy (Braun) is performed.

Change in the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans by fibrotic vitreous induced by erythrocytes

Vitreous fibrosis was induced in rabbit eyes by intravitreal injection of erythrocytes. The fibrotic vitreous removed from experimental animals were then incubated with [3H]glucosamine at 37 degrees C for 24 h. The newly synthesized 3H-labeled glycosaminoglycans were isolated by 4 M guanidium hydrochloride extraction followed by pronase digestion. The 3H-labeled glycosaminoglycans were then characterized by gel filtration column chromatography and by specific enzymatic degradation, i.e., hyaluronidase, chondroitinase AC, and/or chondroitinase ABC. The disaccharides derived from chondroitinase ABC degradation were identified by thin-layer chromatography. We previously demonstrated that 91% of the total glycosaminoglycan synthesized by normal vitreous was hyaluronic acid. Our present results indicate that in the fibrotic vitreous, the synthesis of hyaluronic acid was decreased to 26%, whereas the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate increased to 59% of the total newly synthesized glycosaminoglycans. These results suggest that cells present in fibrotic vitreous resemble fibroblasts with respect to their activities in glycosaminoglycans synthesis.

Synthesis of chondroitin sulfate by fibrotic vitreous induced by monocytes and lymphocytes

Vitreous fibrosis was induced in rabbit eyes by intravitreal injection of monocytes and lymphocytes. The fibrotic vitreous and normal vitreous removed from experimental animals were then incubated with [3H]-glucosamine at 37 degrees C for 24 hr. The newly synthesized 3H-labeled glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were isolated by 4 M GuHCl extraction followed by pronase digestion. The 3H-labeled GAGs were then characterized by gel-filtration column chromatography and by specific enzymatic degradation, i.e. hyaluronidase, chondroitinase AC and/or chondroitinase ABC. The disaccahrides derived from chondroitinase ABC degradation were identified by thin-layer chromatography. Our results indicated that 91% of the total glycosaminoglycan synthesized by normal vitreous was hyaluronic acid. In contrast, in the fibrotic vitreous, the synthesis of hyaluronic acid was decreased to 30% whereas the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate increased to 47% of the total newly synthesized glycosaminoglycans. Control vitreous which was injected with freeze-thawed monocytes and lymphocytes synthesized 70% hyaluronic acid and 12% chondroitin sulfate although no fibrosis was observed.

Cell-free synthesis of hyaluronic acid in Marfan syndrome

The cell-free synthesis of hyaluronic acid has been demonstrated in extracts of cultured human fibroblasts. Preparations from fibroblasts of normal individuals as well as those from patients with Marfan syndrome incorporate glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine from their UDP derivatives into hyaluronic acid. Extracts from Marfan fibroblasts demonstrate 3 to 10 times more total and specific hyaluronic acid synthetase activity than do preparations from normal fibroblasts. All synthetic activity was found in particulate fractions with the bulk of activity localized in material sedimenting as large membrane fragments. Marfan and normal preparations exhibited similar properties with respect to substrate, cofactor, pH requirements, and heat stability. Neither the Marfan nor normal enzyme systems could be stimulated by exogenous acceptors, nor did either preparation contain a soluble factor which stimulated or inhibited the enzymic activity of the other. The genetic defect in Marfan syndrome appears to result in increased activity of hyaluronic acid synthetase without demonstrable changes in properties of the particulate enzymes involved.

[Nontraumatic perforations of the small intestine]

From 1970 to 1978, 14 patients with nontraumatic perforations of the small intestine were treated in the Department of General and Abdominal Surgery of the University Frankfurt am Main. In eight cases suture and bypass and/or interval operation with enterostomy was performed. Seven patients survived, one died. In the six other patients resection with primary anastomosis or suture were performed. One patient survived and five patients died following peritonitis due to insufficiency of the anastomosis. The problem of nontraumatic perforation of the small intestine is discussed and the literature reviewed. It is suggested that the operation of choice is suture of the perforation with bypass or the two-stage operation with enterostomy.

[Crohn's proctocolitis with involvement of the esophagus and mouth. Case report]

A case of esophageal Crohn's disease occurring in a 40-year-old woman with proctocolitis and oral manifestation is reported. A possible connection between Crohn's disease and Behçet's syndrome is discussed. A survey of the literature indicates that comparable lesions occur very rarely.

[Biopsy of para-aortic lymphnodes in patients with malignant lymphomas (author's transl)]

In treatment of malignant lymphomas exploratory laparotomy with splenectomy, liver and lymphnodes biopsy is necessary in order to individualize appropriate management. The surgeon must make maximal effort to obtain lymphnodes for histological examination. The surgical anatomy of the retroperitoneum in space of abdominal aorta and the biopsy procedure of paraaortic lymphnodes were described. The literature was reviewed.

[Injuries of the rectum in barium contrast enema]

Perforation of the rectum during a barium enema can be catastrophic. Most reports and in our experience too, the lethality in these patients is more than 50%. This effect of barium is not widely appreciated. Injections of barium sulfate with faeces, of commercial barium both sterile and unsterile into the peritoneal cavity and barium perforation were fatal in 20--48 hours in the dog without further treatment. This study shows that the repair of a barium perforation should be considered as one of the most important emergency procedures. Operative methods and problems are described.