β Decay of ^{61}V and its Role in Cooling Accreted Neutron Star Crusts

The interpretation of observations of cooling neutron star crusts in quasipersistent x-ray transients is affected by predictions of the strength of neutrino cooling via crust Urca processes. The strength of crust Urca neutrino cooling depends sensitively on the electron-capture and β-decay ground-state-to-ground-state transition strengths of neutron-rich rare isotopes. Nuclei with a mass number of A=61 are predicted to be among the most abundant in accreted crusts, and the last remaining experimentally undetermined ground-state-to-ground-state transition strength was the β decay of ^{61}V. This Letter reports the first experimental determination of this transition strength, a ground-state branching of 8.1_{-3.1}^{+4.0}%, corresponding to a log ft value of 5.5_{-0.2}^{+0.2}. This result was achieved through the measurement of the β-delayed γ rays using the total absorption spectrometer SuN and the measurement of the β-delayed neutron branch using the neutron long counter system NERO at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University. This method helps to mitigate the impact of the pandemonium effect in extremely neutron-rich nuclei on experimental results. The result implies that A=61 nuclei do not provide the strongest cooling in accreted neutron star crusts as expected by some predictions, but that their cooling is still larger compared to most other mass numbers. Only nuclei with mass numbers 31, 33, and 55 are predicted to be cooling more strongly. However, the theoretical predictions for the transition strengths of these nuclei are not consistently accurate enough to draw conclusions on crust cooling. With the experimental approach developed in this work, all relevant transitions are within reach to be studied in the future.

Low-temperature triple-alpha rate in a full three-body nuclear model

A new three-body method is used to compute the rate of the triple-alpha capture reaction, which is the primary source of 12C in stars. In this Letter, we combine the Faddeev hyperspherical harmonics and the R-matrix method to obtain a full solution to the three-body α+α+α continuum. Particular attention is paid to the long-range effects caused by the pairwise Coulomb interactions. The new rate agrees with the Nuclear Astrophysics Compilation of Reaction rates for temperatures greater than 0.07 GK, but a large enhancement at lower temperature is found (≈10(12) at 0.02 GK). Our results are compared to previous calculations where additional approximations were made. We show that the new rate does not significantly change the evolution of stars around one solar mass. In particular, such stars still undergo a red-giant phase consistent with observations, and no significant differences are found in the final white dwarfs.

Time-of-flight mass measurements for nuclear processes in neutron star crusts

We present results from time-of-flight nuclear mass measurements at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory that are relevant for neutron star crust models. The masses of 16 neutron-rich nuclei in the scandium-nickel range were determined simultaneously, with the masses of (61)V, (63)Cr, (66)Mn, and (74)Ni measured for the first time with mass excesses of -30.510(890) MeV, -35.280(650) MeV, -36.900(790) MeV, and -49.210(990) MeV, respectively. With these results the locations of the dominant electron capture heat sources in the outer crust of accreting neutron stars that exhibit super bursts are now experimentally constrained. We find the experimental Q value for the (66)Fe→(66)Mn electron capture to be 2.1 MeV (2.6σ) smaller than predicted, resulting in the transition occurring significantly closer to the neutron star surface.

Glial FibriUary Acidic Protein (GFAP) Immunoreactivity in Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors

A spectrum of 24 benign and malignant nerve sheath tumors and 10 non-neural spindle-cell tumors were studied by light microscopy for the presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique. In 8 cases, these results were compared to their electron microscopic appearances. Seventy percent (7 of 10) of benign schwannomas and 50% (4 of 8) of benign neurofibromas demonstrated focal to diffuse GFAP immunoreactivity. None of the malignant nerve sheath tumors nor any of the non-neural spindle-cell neoplasms contained demonstrable GFAP immunoreactivity. Similarly, no GFAP immunoreactivity could be detected in Schwann cells in normal peripheral nerves. The solitary benign schwannoma available for electron microscopic study demonstrated diffuse and abundant cytoplasmic intermediate filaments, and this tumor displayed diffuse and intense GFAP immunoreactivity. Two benign neurofibromas showed a more variable content of intermediate filaments ultrastructurally, and their GFAP immunoreactivity was variable. All five malignant nerve sheath tumors studied by electron microscopy displayed a variable complement of intermediate filaments; however, none of these tumors possessed GFAP immunoreactivity, suggesting that these intermediate filaments are either members of a different class of intermediate filaments or may perhaps represent "altered" GFAP not recognized by these antisera.

Phase separation in the crust of accreting neutron stars

Nucleosynthesis, on the surface of accreting neutron stars, produces a range of chemical elements. We perform molecular dynamics simulations of crystallization to see how this complex composition forms new neutron star crust. We find chemical separation, with the liquid ocean phase greatly enriched in low atomic number elements compared to the solid crust. This phase separation should change many crust properties such as the thermal conductivity and shear modulus.

CT herniography in the diagnosis of occult groin hernias

AIM

To evaluate the role of computed tomography (CT) after herniography in the diagnosis and management of primary and recurrent groin hernias not detectable on clinical examination.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty-one patients underwent CT post-herniography over a 6-year period for suspected primary or recurrent inguinal hernia. The herniography and post-herniography CT findings were retrospectively compared with clinical and surgical follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the role of herniography and CT post-herniography in the primary and recurrent groups.

RESULTS

Of the 51 patients investigated for occult inguinal hernia, 19 had previous hernia repair with possible recurrence. The most common symptom at presentation was groin pain or discomfort (84%). Seventy-five percent in the primary group and 84% in the recurrent group had no findings on herniography or CT. Nine percent in the primary group and 16% in the recurrent group had hernias diagnosed by herniography. CT did not enhance the detection of hernia. Sensitivity for herniography and CT herniography in the primary groin hernia group was 75% as against specificity, which was 100 and 90%, respectively. For the recurrent groin hernias, sensitivity was 60% for herniography and 40% for CT herniography and specificity 100% for both.

CONCLUSION

CT performed post-herniography did not provide any benefit over performing herniography alone in the diagnosis of occult primary or recurrent inguinal hernias.

Weight outcomes among antidepressant users in nursing facilities

OBJECTIVES

Depression is a common and treatable condition among nursing facility residents, with low body weight being a frequent concomitant concern. A common prescribing dictum is that older tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) enhance appetite and may facilitate weight gain, while newer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) cause anorexia and resultant weight loss in older adults. Evidence is lacking on whether the small weight changes noted during short-term antidepressant efficacy trials translate into larger weight changes during prolonged treatment periods. Our main objective was to compare weight outcomes at 6 months among users of three different antidepressant groups with a control group of non-antidepressant users. A secondary objective was to determine whether antidepressant selection was associated with weight pattern before drug initiation, to capture possible prescribing bias that would affect study inferences.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort design using the Minimum Data Set--Plus (MDS+).

SETTING

Kansas nursing facilities.

PARTICIPANTS

1,157 antidepressant users age 65 and older who started an antidepressant after admission and remained on the same single agent for at least 6 months, and 4,852 persons meeting the same inclusion/exclusion criteria but not receiving an antidepressant.

MEASUREMENTS

Antidepressant use was identified by drug code data and divided into four groups for analysis: TCAs, SSRIs, others, and none. (Amitriptyline and trazodone were excluded because of frequent use for nondepression purposes.) Rates of clinically important loss and gain (assigned for a 10% change from baseline weight or presence of the significant loss or gain markers on the 6-month MDS assessment) and mean weight changes were compared across the four groups. Regression models were used to control for age, gender, baseline weight, confounding comorbidity, and functional variables related to eating. Previous weight patterns (loss, gain, neither, or unknown) before antidepressant initiation were compared across drug groups.

RESULTS

Clinically important weight loss and gain occurred at 6 months in 14.8% and 14.4% of the sample, respectively. In unadjusted analyses, an increased likelihood of loss was found for users of SSRIs (Odds Ratio 1.57; CI 1.30, 1.90) and others (OR 1.89; CI 1.18, 3.03), compared with none. In logistic models accounting for potential confounding factors, however, SSRI use showed a modest association with gain (OR 1.31, CI 1.01, 1.70) and a trend toward a similarly modest association with loss (OR 1.28; CI 0.995, 1.64). TCA use was not associated with weight gain. When weight was examined as a continuous variable, all groups demonstrated a broad range of both loss and gain with mean-unadjusted weight changes < 3 pounds. Pairwise comparisons of adjusted differences in weight change at 6 months for SSRIs (mean loss of 1.6 pounds) and TCAs (mean gain of 0.4 pounds) were of marginal importance (P = .046) given the large sample size. No evidence was found for prescribing bias based on prior weight pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

TCAs do not facilitate weight gain more than other antidepressant groups and SSRIs are not associated disproportionately with weight loss when other important clinical variables are accounted for. Small but statistically significant differences in mean weight changes between groups are largely a reflection of large sample size rather than clinically important differences. Clinicians may wish to reconsider the widely held notions that TCAs facilitate weight gain and that SSRIs place depressed older nursing facility residents at disproportionate risk for weight loss.

Tube feeding in nursing home residents with severe and irreversible cognitive impairment

OBJECTIVES

This study was undertaken to determine the degree to which selected demographic and clinical variables are associated with the use of feeding tubes in older nursing home residents with very severe and irreversible cognitive impairment.

DESIGN

Descriptive, cross-sectional, population-based study.

SETTING

Kansas nursing homes from January 1, 1994, through June 30, 1998.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 4,997 nursing home residents with very severe and irreversible cognitive impairment comprised the study population. Subjects were identified using data in Minimum Data Set (MDS) reports. Those who were included in the study population were over the age of 65, had two consecutive Cognitive Performance Scale scores of 6, were without evidence of significant subsequent improvement, and were not comatose.

MEASUREMENTS

The MDS data on each resident were examined to determine subjects' age, ethnicity, gender, Medicaid eligibility, disease diagnoses, physical functioning, and oral/nutritional status, including feeding tube status. The MDS was also used to determine urban versus rural location of the nursing home. The association between the use of feeding tubes and selected demographic and clinical characteristics was then examined using bivariate and logistic regression tests.

RESULTS

Of the 4,997 residents in the study population, 577 (11.6%) had feeding tubes. In multivariate analysis, feeding tube use was found to be associated with swallowing problems (odds ratio (OR) 5.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.3-6.8); urban location of nursing home (OR 2.9, 95% CI 2.3-3.5); non-white race (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.9-3.6); stroke (OR 2.5, 95% CI 2.0-3.1); and absence of dementia (OR 2.5, 95% CI 2.0-3.1). Feeding tubes were also more weakly associated with age <86 years, male gender, dependency for all activities of daily living, and absence of a living will. Feeding tube use was not found to be associated with chewing problems, Medicaid status, or resuscitation status.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical variables including swallowing problems, stroke, and absence of dementia were strongly associated with the use of feeding tubes in this cross-sectional, population-based study. In addition, urban location of nursing home and non-white race were significantly associated with feeding tubes. These findings suggest that feeding tube decisions are strongly influenced by nonclinical factors and invite further investigation.

Very long survival in pediatric cancer between 1944 and 1993

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors associated with very long survival among all cancer cases diagnosed at age 19 years or younger registered by the Cancer Data Service at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.A. in the 40-year period between 1944 and 1983, with follow-up to 1993.

METHODS

There were 2720 pediatric patients with 2750 cancers who were studied. Forty-four types of cancer were grouped into 11 diagnostic categories. Diagnosis years spanned four eras: 1944-1953, 1954-1963, 1964-1973, and 1974-1983. Cases were compared using specific characteristics and were divided into short-term and long-term survivors with the division generously set at seven years. The proportions of the long-term survivors were compared by specific characteristics.

RESULTS

Among the diagnostic categories, leukemias were the most common (29.8%), followed by CNS tumors (15.2%), and Hodgkin's disease (9.0%). Male to female ratio was 4:3; average age at diagnosis was 8.83 +/- 6.08 years. Long-term survivors totaled 1148 (41.7%). Prognosis was better in cases diagnosed in earlier stages and in later eras. Proportion of long-term survivors increased from 18.7% in era I to 52.6% in era IV. Improvement of survival was statistically significant in most diagnostic categories.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows continuing improvement of survival during four consecutive eras for childhood and adolescent cancer. Early diagnosis was associated with better survival. Unstaged cases decreased over time reflecting progress in diagnostic techniques. Many patients died before seven years after diagnosis. Those who survived more than seven years had excellent survival. Pediatricians can expect to participate in the care of these patients long after the original dianosis and treatment.

A new bioelectrical impedance method for measurement of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate

A new bioelectrical impedance method was developed to determine the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) by measuring the settling velocity of red blood cells. A sample of blood was collected in a plastic tube with two electrodes, one positioned above the other. Measurements of electrical resistance were made in the upper region of the blood column. As the red blood cells settled towards the bottom of the container, the resistance decreased continuously. The velocity of settling red blood cells was calculated in 45 samples. The values obtained compared favourably with the ESR determined by the standard Westergren method, giving a correlation coefficient of 0.96 and a standard error estimation of 7.0 mmh-1. We conclude that bioelectrical impedance can be used to measure ESR accurately and that this method has important advantages over existing methods.

An electronic method for rapid measurement of haematocrit in blood samples

The bioelectrical impedance method was used to determine the haematocrit in patient blood samples. The resistance (R) and reactance (X) of a constant volume of blood were measured at a low (50 kHz) and high (1 MHz) frequency. These dual-frequency impedance measurements were then used to determine the intracellular and extracellular (plasma) fluid volume of the blood and thus the haematocrit in 308 blood samples. The values compared favourably with the microhaematocrit determined on the same samples, giving a correlation coefficient of 0.989 and a standard error estimation of 1.41%. Reactance at 1 MHz was a better parameter for predicting haematocrit than resistances. Factors affecting the resistivity of plasma, such as electrolyte and protein concentrations, were the error sources in the impedance technique. Our technique reduced such errors significantly. In conclusion, this electronic method can be used to measure haematocrit accurately and may be more desirable than conventional methods in certain clinical situations.

Colliding forces in radiology: technologic imperative, resource limitations, and accountability demands

Advances in radiology over the past 20 years are the product of a technologic imperative that has produced new approaches to the acquisition of medical images and modifications to conventional approaches. The imperative has placed radiology at the leading edge of the computer-technology era of modern medicine and has also produced several big-ticket technologies that have been identified as major contributors to rising health care costs. Consequently, the demands for quantitative data on the impact and cost-effectiveness of the use of these technologies in the clinical arena are increasing. Meeting the growing demand for accountability in radiology requires that the discipline adopt innovative approaches for assessing its technologies and acquire new types of data, including documentation of cost savings accrued by selective use of radiologic technologies and demonstration of the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of triage schemes that lead to more effective decision making. The requirement of quantitative accountability represents a new way of doing business for radiology and a new approach to management for those responsible for business.

Are events after endotoxemia related to circulating phospholipase A2?

OBJECTIVE

The authors sought to determine whether the signs and symptoms of endotoxemia were related to the endotoxin-stimulated increase in circulating phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity.

BACKGROUND

Because hypotension and pulmonary injury have been associated with elevated PLA2 activity in septic shock and PLA2 levels are reduced with the administration of glucocorticoids, the PLA2 response to endotoxin was investigated in volunteers pretreated with and without hydrocortisone.

METHODS

Carefully screened human subjects were studied under four conditions: (1) saline, (2) hydrocortisone, (3) endotoxin, and (4) hydrocortisone administration before endotoxin exposure. Pulse rate, blood pressure, temperature, and symptoms of endotoxemia were serially measured. Plasma for tumor necrosis factor concentrations and PLA2 activity was obtained.

RESULTS

After lipopolysaccharide, pulse rate and tumor necrosis factor concentrations rose at 1 to 2 hours; temperature increased maximally at 4 hours. PLA2 activity reached peak levels at 24 hours. With hydrocortisone pretreatment, a 50% reduction in the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor and PLA2 occurred. Significant correlations between other variables and PLA2 activity were not observed. The enzyme identified by monoclonal antibody was the secreted nonpancreatic PLA2 (SNP-PLA2).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that elevations in circulating SNP-PLA2 activity and systemic events associated with intravenous endotoxin administration are unrelated.

Elaboration of interleukin 1-receptor antagonist is not attenuated by glucocorticoids after endotoxemia

The body's response to infection/inflammation is initiated by the elaboration of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 1-beta (IL-1-beta), IL-6, and IL-8. Cytokines, in turn, stimulate the pituitary-adrenal axis, and it has been suggested that the corticosteroids elaborated serve as negative feedback signals to diminish inflammatory events. To test this hypothesis, we administered hydrocortisone shortly before endotoxin administration to normal volunteers. Steroids greatly reduced the clinical response to endotoxin and attenuated the appearance of tumor necrosis factor, IL-6, and IL-8 in the circulation. In contrast, IL-1-receptor antagonist, a competitive antagonist of the IL-1 receptor, was unaffected by steroid administration. These data suggest that IL-1-receptor antagonist may act in synergism with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Elevation of concentrations of these two factors, corticosteroids and IL-1-receptor antagonist, in plasma appears to be the mechanism used by the body to overcome the effects of inflammatory cytokines.

Diagnostic and therapeutic technology assessment. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of aberrant conducting pathways of the heart

Radiofrequency catheter ablation has very quickly generated considerable enthusiasm among electrophysiologists because it offers a less invasive alternative to an open surgical procedure and potentially offers an alternative to lifelong drug therapy. Early literature on RF catheter ablation focused on the technical aspects of the procedure. In contrast, the literature of the past several years is dominated by very favorable reports of large series of patients and the experience of individual institutions. The larger series have focused on the treatment of accessory pathways as opposed to AV nodal reentry pathways. The opinions of the DATTA panelists parallel the literature. The panelists considered the technology to be established in terms of its safety and effectiveness as a curative treatment of accessory pathways, and promising in terms of its safety and between promising and established in terms of its effectiveness as a treatment of AV nodal reentrant tachycardias.

Outcomes of co-morbid alcoholic men: a 1-year follow-up

In this prospective, 1-year study, 360 males admitted to an inpatient alcoholism treatment program were administered a DSM-III compatible structured interview and subtyped by co-occurring psychiatric disorder. Forty percent satisfied diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence while 27% met criteria for alcohol dependence and one additional psychiatric syndrome. The dually diagnosed patients were divided into: alcohol dependence plus drug abuse, alcohol dependence plus antisocial personality and alcohol dependence plus depression. These subtypes were compared on multiple dimensions at intake and at 1-year follow-up. At follow-up, all groups showed significant improvement in drinking and psychosocial functioning. The results suggest that subtyping alcoholics by co-morbid psychiatric disorders may be a good postdictor of clinical history, but a poor predictor of drinking outcome.

99Tcm-mercapto acetyl triglycine in paediatric renal tract disease

The use of 99Tcm-mercapto acetyl triglycine (99Tcm-MAG3), a new hippuran substitute, has been reported widely in adults but not in children. Our experience of its use in 100 infants and children for renography and indirect micturating cystography (IMC) is reported. The average age was 5.6 years. 65 patients completed IMC studies and nine patients had 99Tcm-dimercaptosuccinic acid (99Tcm-DMSA) scans performed on the same day. The majority of patients were referred for the investigation of urinary tract infection. 32 kidneys were found to be scarred on 99Tcm-MAG3 scans, 17 kidneys and ureters refluxed on IMC and 14 kidneys were obstructed. The results of 99Tcm-MAG3 scans were compared with those of other urinary tract investigations including ultrasound, micturating cystography (MCUG), intravenous urography (IVU) and 99Tcm-DMSA scintigraphy. No kidney which was scarred had a normal 99Tcm-MAG3 scan. All significant degrees of dilatation or obstruction on IVU or ultrasound were also detected by 99Tcm-MAG3. 99Tcm-MAG3 gave more information than any other single imaging modality and we believe it represents an ideal initial screening test in the investigation of urinary tract infection in older toilet-trained children.

Limitations in the use of five French coronary catheters

Five french (5F) catheters are being widely promoted for use in patients undergoing day case angiography including coronary angiography. Although there are theoretical advantages to this practice there are also potential disadvantages. We reviewed various performance parameters of four different brands of 5F coronary catheter and compared them with performance of the six (6F) and eight french (8F) coronary catheters used in routine coronary angiography. All the 5F catheters performed significantly less satisfactorily than the 6F and 8F catheters. 5F coronary catheters cannot be recommended for routine transfemoral coronary angiography.

Ultrasonic diagnosis of masseteric hypertrophy

Masseteric hypertrophy may present a diagnostic dilemma, its confirmation frequently being by exclusion of other conditions. The literature relating to this syndrome is reviewed. A study to confirm the suitability of ultrasound in diagnosis, and to establish a normal range, is described. Sixty-two masseter muscles were measured using a standardized technique and the derived normal range for transverse dimension was 8.5-13.5 mm. Three instances of clinically diagnosed masseteric hypertrophy were examined; in each case measured transverse masseteric dimension was significantly greater than the normal range. Direct ultrasonic measurement of masseteric bulk should replace computed tomography as the definitive investigation in suspected cases.

Transfusion of infants with activation of erythrocyte T antigen

A protocol for transfusion of infants with erythrocyte T-antigen activation was evaluated for safety and effectiveness in a prospective, 3-year, sequential series of 1672 infants admitted for intensive care. Erythrocyte T antigens are activated by enzymes produced by clostridia or other bacteria in infants with sepsis, often in association with necrotizing enterocolitis. Transfusion of these infants with blood products containing plasma carries the risk of causing intravascular hemolysis. Our transfusion protocol included testing for T-antigen activation, restricting transfusion of patients with activated T antigens to washed erythrocytes or washed platelets whenever possible, and selecting donors with low-titer anti-T when plasma-containing blood products were required. In this series, 10 patients had T-antigen activation, including four with clostridial infections. Severe hemolysis occurred in one patient who received plasma before T-antigen activation developed. Of five patients who received low-titer anti-T plasma, mild hemolysis occurred in three and no hemolysis in two. Four patients who received no plasma-containing blood products experienced no hemolysis. Used cautiously, this protocol allows a full range of transfusion therapy to infants with T-antigen activation.

Adolescents and their music. Insights into the health of adolescents

During adolescence, teenagers are expected to develop standards of behavior and reconcile them with their perceptions of adult standards. In this context, music, a powerful medium in the lives of adolescents, offers conflicting values. The explicit sexual and violent lyrics of some forms of music often clash with the themes of abstinence and rational behavior promoted by adult society. Identification with rock music, particularly those styles that are rejected by adults, functions to separate adolescents from adult society. Some forms of rock music extend well beyond respectability in fulfilling this definitional role. Total immersion into a rock subculture, such as heavy metal, may be both a portrait of adolescent alienation and an unflattering reflection of an adolescent's perception of the moral and ethical duplicity of adult society. Physicians should be aware of the role of music in the lives of adolescents and use music preferences as clues to the emotional and mental health of adolescents.

Methods to assess relative reliability of diet records: minimum records for monitoring lipid and caloric intake

A total of 252 diet records of 18 outpatients attending a lipid clinic were analyzed by a computer-assisted method to determine the minimum number of daily diet records that would be reliable for monitoring dietary adherence. Each subject recorded food intake in special diaries for 14 consecutive days between two clinic visits. All possible randomly selected combinations of 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11 consecutive days of records in the 14-day period were analyzed for calories and lipids. Sets of records were said to be within a 95% confidence interval when the information yielded on any parameter differed by 5% or less from the mean values for the entire 14 days' records. All sets of records for 7, 9, and 11 days were in the 95% confidence range; therefore, 7 consecutive days of food recording were considered the minimum requirement for a 95% confidence limit. Out of 11 possible combinations of 4 consecutive day-sets of records, all but 3 sets were within 95% confidence limits. Consequently, 4 consecutive days of records were deemed acceptable as a reasonable compromise for minimal, reliable monitoring of diet compliance in outpatients for the nutrients studied.

Coliform behavior in frozen foods. I. Rapid test for the recovery of Escherichia coli from frozen foods

An assortment of 496 samples of frozen foods consisting of fish or marine products, variety types, and cream pie desserts were subjected to four parallel examinations for the recovery of Escherichia coli. The test procedures consisted of two low-temperature (35 C) and two high-temperature (44 C) presumptive tests, followed by an E C confirmatory test at 45.5 C. Of all the test methods examined, a single Lauryl Sulfate Tryptose (LST) presumptive test at 44 C gave best E. coli recovery (425). This recovery compared favorably with the lengthier Association of Official Analytical Chemists test with which only 420 E. coli cells were recovered. The LST (44 C) test saves much time, since it renders a follow-up 48-hr confirmatory test unnecessary. Moreover, since 96% of all the E. coli are recovered within 24 hr by LST (44 C), it is essentially a 24-hr test. The results of this study also confirmed earlier findings, in that it is possible to describe a specific coliform bacteriological test method by simple reproducible productivity ratios. E. coli recovery dilution data and coliform group behavior were also examined.