Assessing the aquatic toxicity and environmental safety of tracer compounds Rhodamine B and Rhodamine WT

Tracer tests represent a well-established method for delineating key environmental processes in various media and engineered systems. Tracers like Rhodamine B and WT are frequently applied due to their strong fluorescence even at low concentrations.. However, due to a lack of ecotoxicological data, limit values for these tracers cannot be determined. This study fills this critical data gap by providing ecotoxicity data for Rhodamine B and WT using a battery of short-term standardized tests, including growth rate inhibition tests with algae (Raphidocelis subcapitata) and lethality tests using crustaceans (Daphnia magna) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos, and estimating EQS for surface water. For Rhodamine B, the effective and lethal concentration (EC₅₀ and LC₅₀) -causing 50% toxicity were in the range of 14-24 mg/L. For Rhodamine WT, no statistically significant effects were observed (p<0.05) at the tsted concentrations (up to 91, 100 and 200 mg/L for algae, crustaceans and fish embryos, respectively). Thus for all tested organisms, Rhodamine B was more toxic than Rhodamine WT (more than 14 times more toxic for R. subcapitata, 5.6 times for D. magna, 15 times for D. rerio embryos,based on EC₁₀ and LC₁₀ values). These results signify that read-across assessments using ecotoxicity data obtained with Rhodamine B is not advisable for estimating the ecotoxicity of Rhodamine WT. The annual-average quality standard (AA-QS) and maximum allowable concentration quality standard (MAC-QS) for Rhodamine B were found to be 14 and 140 µg/L, respectively. For Rhodamine WT, the corresponding values were estimated to >91 µg/L (AA-QS) and >910 µg/L (MAC-QS). Hence, concentrations below 140 µg/L or 910 µg/L for Rhodamine B and WT, respectively, are not expected to pose a risk to aquatic freshwater life in the case of intermittent discharges, e.g. tracer experiments released in streams.

Antiproton, positron, and electron imaging with a microchannel plate/phosphor detector

A microchannel plate (MCP)/phosphor screen assembly has been used to destructively measure the radial profile of cold, confined antiprotons, electrons, and positrons in the ALPHA experiment, with the goal of using these trapped particles for antihydrogen creation and confinement. The response of the MCP to low energy (10-200 eV, <1 eV spread) antiproton extractions is compared to that of electrons and positrons.

Temporally controlled modulation of antihydrogen production and the temperature scaling of antiproton-positron recombination

We demonstrate temporally controlled modulation of cold antihydrogen production by periodic RF heating of a positron plasma during antiproton-positron mixing in a Penning trap. Our observations have established a pulsed source of atomic antimatter, with a rise time of about 1 s, and a pulse length ranging from 3 to 100 s. Time-sensitive antihydrogen detection and positron plasma diagnostics, both capabilities of the ATHENA apparatus, allowed detailed studies of the pulsing behavior, which in turn gave information on the dependence of the antihydrogen production process on the positron temperature T. Our data are consistent with power law scaling T (-1.1+/-0.5) for the production rate in the high temperature regime from approximately 100 meV up to 1.5 eV. This is not in accord with the behavior accepted for conventional three-body recombination.

Compression of antiproton clouds for antihydrogen trapping

Control of the radial profile of trapped antiproton clouds is critical to trapping antihydrogen. We report the first detailed measurements of the radial manipulation of antiproton clouds, including areal density compressions by factors as large as ten, by manipulating spatially overlapped electron plasmas. We show detailed measurements of the near-axis antiproton radial profile and its relation to that of the electron plasma.

Are smooth pursuit eye movements altered in chronic whiplash-associated disorders? A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether smooth pursuit eye movements differed between patients with long-lasting whiplash-associated disorders and controls when using a purely computerized method for the eye movement analysis.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study comparing patients with whiplash-associated disorders and controls who had not been exposed to head or neck trauma and had no notable neck complaints.

METHODS

Smooth pursuit eye movements were registered while the subjects were seated with and without rotated cervical spine.

SUBJECTS

Thirty-four patients with whiplash-associated disorders with symptoms more than six months after a car collision and 60 controls.

RESULTS

Smooth pursuit eye movements were almost identical in patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders and controls, both when the neck was rotated and in the neutral position.

CONCLUSION

Disturbed smooth pursuit eye movements do not appear to be a distinct feature in patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders. This is in contrast to results of previous studies and may be due to the fact that analyses were performed in a computerized and objective manner. Other possible reasons for the discrepancy to previous studies are discussed.

Antimatter plasmas in a multipole trap for antihydrogen

We have demonstrated storage of plasmas of the charged constituents of the antihydrogen atom, antiprotons and positrons, in a Penning trap surrounded by a minimum-B magnetic trap designed for holding neutral antiatoms. The neutral trap comprises a superconducting octupole and two superconducting, solenoidal mirror coils. We have measured the storage lifetimes of antiproton and positron plasmas in the combined Penning-neutral trap, and compared these to lifetimes without the neutral trap fields. The magnetic well depth was 0.6 T, deep enough to trap ground state antihydrogen atoms of up to about 0.4 K in temperature. We have demonstrated that both particle species can be stored for times long enough to permit antihydrogen production and trapping studies.

Search for laser-induced formation of antihydrogen atoms

Antihydrogen can be synthesized by mixing antiprotons and positrons in a Penning trap environment. Here an experiment to stimulate the formation of antihydrogen in the n = 11 quantum state by the introduction of light from a CO2 continuous wave laser is described. An overall upper limit of 0.8% with 90% C.L. on the laser-induced enhancement of the recombination has been found. This result strongly suggests that radiative recombination contributes negligibly to the antihydrogen formed in the experimental conditions used by the ATHENA Collaboration.

Eye blink frequency during different computer tasks quantified by electrooculography

The purpose of the study was to evaluate electrooculography (EOG) as an automatic method to measure the human eye blink frequency (BF) during passive and interactive computer tasks performed at two screen heights. Ten healthy subjects (5 males and 5 females) participated in the study in a 23 degrees C temperature and 30-35% relative humidity controlled simulated office environment. Each test subject completed a 2 x 10 min active task of computer work and a 3 x 10 min passive task of watching a film on a video display unit (VDU). Both tasks included two viewing angles: standard (the monitors' upper edge was in the same height as the subjects' eyes) and low (lowered by 25 degrees). EOG signals were recorded with two Ag/AgCl surface electrodes positioned above and below the right eye, and a reference electrode was placed behind the ear. The experiments were video filmed, and eye blinks were counted manually from the video recordings and compared to the EOG measurements. The method showed a high validity to detect blinks during computer work: 95.4% of the blinks were retrieved by the EOG method and very few artefacts from eye movements were erroneously classified as eye blinks (2.4%). By use of the EOG method, the computer task was found to significantly decrease the BF by 69% compared to the passive task (P < 0.001), and a small decrease (12-14%) was found by lowering the viewing angle by 25 degrees.

Evidence for the production of slow antiprotonic hydrogen in vacuum

We present evidence showing how antiprotonic hydrogen, the quasistable antiproton (p)-proton bound system, has been synthesized following the interaction of antiprotons with the molecular ion H2+ in a nested Penning trap environment. From a careful analysis of the spatial distributions of antiproton annihilation events, evidence is presented for antiprotonic hydrogen production with sub-eV kinetic energies in states around n=70, and with low angular momenta. The slow antiprotonic hydrogen may be studied using laser spectroscopic techniques.

New source of dense, cryogenic positron plasmas

We have developed a new method, based on the ballistic transfer of preaccumulated plasmas, to obtain large and dense positron plasmas in a cryogenic environment. The method involves transferring plasmas emanating from a region with a low magnetic field (0.14 T) and relatively high pressure (10(-9) mbar) into a 15 K Penning-Malmberg trap immersed in a 3 T magnetic field with a base pressure better than 10(-13) mbar. The achieved positron accumulation rate in the high field cryogenic trap is more than one and a half orders of magnitude higher than the previous most efficient UHV compatible scheme. Subsequent stacking resulted in a plasma containing more than 1.2 x 10(9) positrons, which is a factor 4 higher than previously reported. Using a rotating wall electric field, plasmas containing about 20 x 10(6) positrons were compressed to a density of 2.6 x 10(10) cm(-3). This is a factor of 6 improvement over earlier measurements.

Effects of lengthening contraction on calcium kinetics and skeletal muscle contractility in humans

AIM

We have tested the hypothesis that the altered muscle contractility after lengthening contractions (LC) is caused by altered calcium (Ca2+) kinetics.

METHODS

Subjects (n = 8) performed 100 drop jumps and muscle contractility was measured pre- and post-exercise by maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and transcutaneous electrical stimulation (1, 20 and 50 Hz). Muscle biopsies were analysed for muscle metabolites, rates of SR Ca(2+) uptake (CaU) and release (CaR) and myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition.

RESULTS

The rates of torque relaxation and CaU were positively related to muscle fibre type composition (% MHC II). Muscle creatine (Cr) decreased and the ratio between phosphocreatine (PCr) and Cr increased 3 and 24 h post-exercise (P < 0.05 vs. pre-exercise). LC resulted in reduced MVC (-19%), twitch torque (-41%) and 20/50 Hz torque ratio (-30%) and a faster relaxation rate (P < 0.05). The contractile parameters recovered partially but remained altered 24 h post-exercise (P < 0.05). The average CaR was unchanged after LC (P > 0.05). However, the response varied between subjects and the relative post-exercise CaR was significantly related to the degree of LFF (post/pre 20/50 Hz force ratio) and to the decline in twitch force (post/pre twitch ratio). CaU was lower in seven of eight subjects after LC (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The decline in torque after LC could not be explained by metabolic factors since PCr/Cr ratio increased. The relation between CaR and fatigue suggests that the mechanism of fatigue in part may be attributed to intrinsic changes in the SR Ca2+ release channel. The faster torque relaxation after LC could not be explained by an increased rate of CaU.

Spatial distribution of cold antihydrogen formation

Antihydrogen is formed when antiprotons are mixed with cold positrons in a nested Penning trap. We present experimental evidence, obtained using our antihydrogen annihilation detector, that the spatial distribution of the emerging antihydrogen atoms is independent of the positron temperature and axially enhanced. This indicates that antihydrogen is formed before the antiprotons are in thermal equilibrium with the positron plasma. This result has important implications for the trapping and spectroscopy of antihydrogen.

Three-dimensional annihilation imaging of trapped antiprotons

We demonstrate three-dimensional imaging of antiprotons in a Penning trap, by reconstructing annihilation vertices from the trajectories of the charged annihilation products. The unique capability of antiparticle imaging has allowed, for the first time, the observation of the spatial distribution of the particle loss in a Penning trap. The radial loss of antiprotons on the trap wall is localized to small spots, strongly breaking the azimuthal symmetry expected for an ideal trap. Our observations have important implications for detection of antihydrogen annihilations.

Evidence of long term muscle fatigue following prolonged intermittent contractions based on mechano- and electromyograms

The focus of the present study is the long term element of muscle fatigue provoked by prolonged intermittent contractions at submaximal force levels and analysed by force, surface electromyography (EMG) and mechanomyogram (MMG). It was hypothesized that fatigue related changes in mechanical performance of the biceps muscle are more strongly reflected in low than in high force test contractions, more prominent in the MMG than in the EMG signal and less pronounced following contractions controlled by visual compared to proprioceptive feedback. Further, it was investigated if fatigue induced by 30 min intermittent contractions at 30% as well as 10% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) lasted more than 30 min recovery. In six male subjects the EMG and MMG were recorded from the biceps brachii muscle during three sessions with fatiguing exercise at 10% with visual feedback and at 30% MVC with visual and proprioceptive feedback. EMG, MMG, and force were evaluated during isometric test contractions at 5% and 80% MVC before prolonged contraction and after 10 and 30 min of recovery. MVC decreased significantly after the fatiguing exercise in all three sessions and was still decreased even after 30 min of recovery. In the time domain significant increases after the fatiguing exercise were found only in the 5% MVC tests and most pronounced for the MMG. No consistent changes were found for neither EMG nor MMG in the frequency domain and feedback mode did not modify the results. It is concluded that long term fatigue after intermittent contractions at low force levels can be detected even after 30 min of recovery in a low force test contraction. Since the response was most pronounced in the MMG this may be a valuable variable for detection of impairments in the excitation-contraction coupling.

Positron plasma diagnostics and temperature control for antihydrogen production

Production of antihydrogen atoms by mixing antiprotons with a cold, confined, positron plasma depends critically on parameters such as the plasma density and temperature. We discuss nondestructive measurements, based on a novel, real-time analysis of excited, low-order plasma modes, that provide comprehensive characterization of the positron plasma in the ATHENA antihydrogen apparatus. The plasma length, radius, density, and total particle number are obtained. Measurement and control of plasma temperature variations, and the application to antihydrogen production experiments are discussed.

Production and detection of cold antihydrogen atoms

A theoretical underpinning of the standard model of fundamental particles and interactions is CPT invariance, which requires that the laws of physics be invariant under the combined discrete operations of charge conjugation, parity and time reversal. Antimatter, the existence of which was predicted by Dirac, can be used to test the CPT theorem-experimental investigations involving comparisons of particles with antiparticles are numerous. Cold atoms and anti-atoms, such as hydrogen and antihydrogen, could form the basis of a new precise test, as CPT invariance implies that they must have the same spectrum. Observations of antihydrogen in small quantities and at high energies have been reported at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and at Fermilab, but these experiments were not suited to precision comparison measurements. Here we demonstrate the production of antihydrogen atoms at very low energy by mixing trapped antiprotons and positrons in a cryogenic environment. The neutral anti-atoms have been detected directly when they escape the trap and annihilate, producing a characteristic signature in an imaging particle detector.

Significance of volatile compounds produced by spoilage bacteria in vacuum-packed cold-smoked salmon (Salmo salar) analyzed by GC-MS and multivariate regression

Changes were studied in the concentration of 38 volatile compounds during chilled storage at 5 degrees C of six lots of commercially produced vacuum-packed cold-smoked salmon and sterile cold-smoked salmon. The majority of volatile compounds produced during spoilage of cold-smoked salmon were alcohols, which were produced by microbial activity. Partial least-squares regression of volatile compounds and sensory results allowed for a multiple compound quality index to be developed. This index was based on volatile bacterial metabolites, 1-propanol and 2-butanone, and 2-furancarboxaldehyde produced by autolytic activity. Only a few of the volatile compounds produced during spoilage of cold-smoked salmon had an aroma value high enough to indicate contribution to the spoilage off-flavor of cold-smoked salmon. These were trimethylamine, 3-methylbutanal, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 1-penten-3-ol, and 1-propanol. The potency and importance of these compounds was confirmed by gas chromatography-olfactometry. The present study provides valuable information on the bacterial reactions responsible for spoilage off-flavors of cold-smoked salmon, which can be used to develop biosensors for on-pack shelf-life determinations.

Diversity of Listeria monocytogenes isolates from cold-smoked salmon produced in different smokehouses as assessed by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA analyses

One hundred and forty-eight Listeria monocytogenes isolates originating from vacuum packed cold-smoked salmon produced in 10 different Danish smokehouses were compared by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiling. A total of 16 different reproducible RAPD profiles were obtained using a standardised RAPD analysis by four primers separately. The grouping of the 148 strains was exactly the same for the four primers used. For a sub-set of 20 strains typed by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE), only one strain was allocated into a different group as compared to the grouping by RAPD typing. Different RAPD types dominated in products from different smokehouses. Some identical RAPD types were isolated in several smokehouses. In each of four smokehouses, one particular RAPD type could be repeatedly isolated from products. Each smokehouse/product carried its own specific RAPD type and this may indicate a possible persistence of closely related strains of L. monocytogenes in smokehouses.

Muscle involvement during intermittent contraction patterns with different target force feedback modes

OBJECTIVE

Assess the effect of different feedback modes during intermittent contractions on primary and assessory muscle activity.

BACKGROUND

Intermittent contractions and physiological responses have been studied in laboratory settings. However, the feedback given to the subjects regarding timing and force level is generally not specified.

DESIGN

Repeated measure design in which six subjects in randomized order performed two experimental conditions only differing in feedback mode.

METHODS

Intermittent static elbow flexion was performed against either a fixed-force transducer (visual feedback) or a weight to be held in position (proprioceptive feedback) both corresponding to 30% maximal voluntary contraction. Contraction and relaxation timing of 6 and 4 s, respectively, was shown on a VDU screen as colour code identical in both conditions.

RESULTS

Test contractions performed before and following 30 min of intermittent contractions showed larger fatigue development with proprioceptive feedback than visual feedback. Also rating of perceived exertion increased more during proprioceptive feedback than visual feedback. This may in part be explained by small differences in the mechanics during the two different feedback modes. In line with this, EMG recorded from four shoulder/arm muscles analyzed for amplitude and frequency showed similar activity initially; but later, during the 30 min contraction larger amplitudes were attained during proprioceptive feedback than visual feedback.

CONCLUSIONS

Feedback mode significantly effects the muscle involvement and fatigue during intermittent contractions. RelevanceIntermittent contractions are common in many work places and various feedback modes are being given regarding work requirements. The choice of feedback may significantly affect the muscle load and consequently the development muscle fatigue and disorders.

Control options for Listeria monocytogenes in seafoods

At least three outbreaks of listeriosis associated with seafood have been reported. Listeria monocytogenes is widely distributed in the general environment including fresh water, coastal water and live fish from these areas. Contamination or recontamination of seafood may also take place during processing and low levels (< 100 cfu/g) of L. monocytogenes are frequently found on seafood including ready-to-eat (RTE) products. Apart from heat treatment, which is very effective, there are few options for eliminating L. monocytogenes from foods and equipment. It is essential therefore, that growth of L. monocytogenes in the final product be inhibited. The preventive measures include the formulation of a cleaning and sanitising program specifically designed at reducing the presence of L. monocytogenes in the factory environment, the safe elimination of L. monocytogenes from heat treated products and prevention of growth in RTE products within the normal shelf life and conditions stated on the label. If any sampling is required, the sampling plans suggested by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods [Int. J. Food Microbiol., 22 (1994) 89-96] are useful.

The effect of biogenic amine production by single bacterial cultures and metabiosis on cold-smoked salmon

AIM

Biogenic amines are important indicators of spoilage in vacuum-packed cold-smoked salmon. It is the aim of this study to identify bacteria responsible for biogenic amine production in cold-smoked salmon.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The present study identified spoilage microflora from cold-smoked salmon and determined biogenic amine production of single and co-cultures growing in cold-smoked salmon. Photobacterium phosphoreum was the only species that produced histamine when inoculated on sterile cold-smoked salmon. Production of putrescine was enhanced 10-15 times when cultures of Serratia liquefaciens or Hafnia alvei were grown with Carnobacterium divergens or Lactobacillus sakei subsp. carnosus. This phenomenon was explained by interspecies microbial metabolism of arginine, i.e., metabiosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The amounts of biogenic amines produced by single and co-cultures corresponded to those observed during spoilage of naturally-contaminated cold-smoked salmon. Photobacterium phosphoreum and Lact. curvatus were identified as the specific spoilage organisms in cold-smoked salmon.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Determination of the specific spoilage organism is needed before a model can be developed for shelf-life predictions of cold-smoked salmon.

Multiple compound quality index for cold-smoked salmon (Salmo salar) developed by multivariate regression of biogenic amines and pH

Production of biogenic amines during chill storage of 12 lots of cold-smoked salmon was studied. These data allowed for a multiple compound quality index to be developed by multivariate regression (partial least square regression). The quality index was based on concentrations of cadaverine, histamine, putrescine, and tyramine and pH and showed good correlation with sensory assessments. Biogenic amines were indicators of spoilage rather than casual agents of spoilage off-flavors. Four different biogenic amine profiles were found at the time of spoilage in cold-smoked salmon. These were the results of differences in the spoilage microflora. Histamine was detected above regulatory limits but below toxic levels. Measurements of salt and dry matter for calculation of water phase salt could be substituted by rapid water activity measurements.

[Quantitative ultrasound bone measurements]

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) bone measurement is a relatively new technique for the diagnosis of osteoporosis which is cheaper and easier to use than the more established method of bone densitometry (measurement of bone mineral density, BMD) by x-ray absorptiometry. The two QUS parameters currently measured are BUA (broadband ultrasound attenuation) and SOS (speed of sound). The reported age related changes for healthy women range from -0.27% to -1.62% per year for BUA and from -0.06% to -0.19% per year for SOS. Precision ranges from 1.0-3.8% (CV) for BUA and 0.19-0.30% (CV) for SOS. QUS is believed to reflect mainly BMD. However, studies indicate that QUS also reflects trabecular orientation and other determinants of bone strength independently of BMD. In both cross sectional and prospective studies, QUS seems to be as good a predictor of osteoporotic fractures as BMD.

Regeneration of phenolic antioxidants from phenoxyl radicals: an ESR and electrochemical study of antioxidant hierarchy

Radicals from the flavonoids quercetin, (+)-catechin, (+/-)-taxifolin and luteolin, and from all-rac-alpha-tocopherol have been generated electrochemically by one-electron oxidation in deaerated dimethylformamide (DMF), and characterised by electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) after spin-trapping by 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO). Simulations of the ESR spectrum based on estimated coupling constants of the spin-trapped quercetin radical, confirmed that this antioxidant radical is oxygen-centered. The complex mixture of radicals, quinoid intermediates and stable two-electron oxidation products, were for each antioxidant allowed to react with each of the four other antioxidants, and the progression of reaction followed by ESR after addition of DMPO, and the product solution further analysed by HPLC. All-rac-alpha-tocopherol was found to be most efficient in regenerating each of the other antioxidants from their oxidation products with a regeneration index (defined as moles regenerated of the oxidised phenolic antioxidant divided with moles of all-rac-alpha-tocopherol consumed) of 0.90+/-0.16 for quercetin, 0.48+/-0.11 for (+)-catechin, 0.48+/-0.06 for (+/-)-taxifolin and 0.50+/-0.10 for luteolin in equimolar 1.00 mM solution. Quercetin was found to have the highest regeneration index among the flavonoids: 0.88+/-0.13 for (+/-)-catechin, 0.41+/-0.03 for (+/-)-taxifolin and 0.41+/-0.02 for luteolin. The antioxidant hierarchy based on the reduction potentials determined by cyclic voltammetry under similar conditions (0.93 V for all-rac-alpha-tocopherol, 1.07 V for quercetin, 1.15 V for luteolin, 1.16V for (+)-catechin and 1.20 V for (+/-)-taxifolin) is compared with the observed over-all regeneration (34% for quercetin, 34% for (+)-catechin, 52% for (+/-)-taxifolin and 43% for luteolin by all-rac-alpha-tocopherol).

Two-electron electrochemical oxidation of quercetin and kaempferol changes only the flavonoid C-ring

Bulk electrolysis of the antioxidant flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol in acetonitrile both yield a single oxidation product in two-electron processes. The oxidation products are more polar than their parent compounds, with an increased molecular weight of 16g/mol, and were identified as 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-2,4,6-trihydroxy-3(2H)-benzofuranone and 2-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-2,4,6-trihydroxy-3(2H)-benzofuranone for quercetin and kaempferol, respectively. Two-electron oxidation of the parent flavonoid is suggested to yield a 3,4-flavandione with unchanged substitution pattern in the A- and B-ring, which may rearrange to form the substituted 3(2H)-benzofuranone through the chalcan-trione ring-chain tautomer. The acidity of the 3-OH group is suggested to determine the fate of the flavonoid phenoxyl radical, originally formed by one-electron oxidation, as no well-defined oxidation product of luteolin (lacking the 3-OH group) could be isolated despite rather similar half-peak potentials: Ep/2 = 0.97V, 0.98 V and 1.17 V vs. NHE for quercetin, kaempferol and luteolin, respectively, as measured by cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile.

Prevalence and growth of Listeria monocytogenes in naturally contaminated seafood

Listeria monocytogenes contamination of seafood varies with product category. The highest prevalence was found in cold-smoked fish (34-60%), while the lowest was found in heat-treated and cured seafood (4-12%). The prevalence of L. monocytogenes differed greatly in cold-smoked salmon between production sites, ranging from < 1.4% (nil out of 70 samples) to 100%. The prevalence at the individual production sites was reproducible at repeated sampling. The results indicate that it is possible to produce cold-smoked salmon with a low prevalence of L. monocytogenes. The organism showed moderate growth in naturally contaminated cold-smoked, and 'gravad', fish while the growth appeared faster in hot smoked fish. Thus L. monocytogenes is not under control in these products. Finally, the prevalence and growth of L. monocytogenes in naturally contaminated cold-smoked salmon are discussed in relation to controlling this risk.

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) on a specific region of interest (ROI) of the Os calcis: a new imaging technique

Broadband ultrasound attenuation was measured in 28 premenopausal women, 30 postmenopausal women, and 25 men using a new imaging device, the DTU-one. Short term in vivo precision was 1.2 CV%. The r-values for the correlation of BUA vs BMD at the hip, spine and lower forearm were 0.66, 0.64 and 0.62, respectively.

Predicted and observed growth of Listeria monocytogenes in seafood challenge tests and in naturally contaminated cold-smoked salmon

The performance of the Pathogen Modelling Program, the Food MicroModel, the Murphy-model and the Ross-model for growth of L. monocytogenes was evaluated by comparison with data from 100 seafood challenge tests and data from 13 storage trials with naturally contaminated sliced vacuum-packed cold-smoked salmon. Challenge tests with both cured and noncured products were studied, and graphs as well as the bias- and the accuracy factors were used for comparison of the observed and predicted growth. The Pathogen Modelling Program could not be successfully validated in seafood challenge tests. Growth rates were markedly overestimated and the mu(max)-bias factor was as high as 3.9 in challenge tests with cured products. On the basis of the effect of temperature, NaCl/a(w) and pH, the mu(max)-bias factor of the other three models studied, varied between 1.0 and 2.3 in the challenge tests with cured and noncured seafoods. None of the models accurately predicted the growth in both cured and noncured seafoods. However, the results indicated that a new expanded model, including the additional effect of lactate and phenol, may provide accurate predictions of the growth of L. monocytogenes in challenge tests with various types of seafoods. Storage trials clearly showed the growth of L. monocytogenes in naturally contaminated cold-smoked salmon to be markedly slower than growth in inoculated challenge tests. Consequently, all four models substantially overestimated growth in the naturally contaminated products. Temperature, pH, NaCl/a(w) and lactate were measured in the storage trials and on the basis of these parameters, the Food MicroModel mu(max)-bias factor was 5.2. Clearly, the model could not be successfully validated with naturally contaminated cold-smoked salmon. To improve the applicability of predictive models to fish products, it is suggested to include studies with naturally contaminated products in the development and validation of models with seafood pathogens.

Flavonoid deactivation of ferrylmyoglobin in relation to ease of oxidation as determined by cyclic voltammetry

Fourteen flavonoid aglycones, and the flavonoid glycoside rutin, with redox potentials ranging from 0.20 (myricetin) to 0.83 V (chrysin) vs. NHE, as determined by cyclic voltammetry at 23 degrees C in aqueous 50 mM phosphate, ionic strength 0.16 (NaCl) with pH = 7.4 and compared with redox potentials determined for four cinnamic acid derivatives, were all found to reduce ferrylmyoglobin, MbFe(IV)=O, to metmyoglobin, MbFe(III). Reaction stoichiometry depends strongly on the number of hydroxyl groups in the flavonoid B-ring. All compounds with 3',4'-dihydroxy substitution reduce 2 equivalents of MbFe(IV)=O, whereas naringenin, hesperitin and kaempferol, with one hydroxyl group in the B-ring, reduce with a one-to-one stoichiometry. As studied spectrophotometrically under pseudo-first-order conditions with flavonoids in excess, rutin and apigenin react with MbFe(IV)=O with very similar and moderately high activation enthalpies of deltaH298++ = 69 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1) and deltaH298++ = 65 +/- 3 kJ mol(-1), respectively, and with positive activation entropies of deltaS298++ = 23 +/- 4 J mol(-1) K(-1) and deltaS298++ = 13 +/- 9 J mol(-1) K(-1), respectively, in agreement with outer-sphere electron transfer as rate determining. For the fifteen plant polyphenols only qualitative relations exist between redox potential and rate constants rather than a linear free energy relationship (r2 = 0.503), and especially the flavone apigenin was found more efficient as reducing agent. For the flavanones, a linear relation (r2 = 0.971) indicate that, in the absence of a 2,3 double bond, removal of the 4-carbonyl group or addition of a 3-hydroxy group only has minor effect on reactivity. The flavonols are the most efficient reducing agents, effectively reducing MbFe(IV)=O to MbFe(III) and establishing a steady state distribution between the flavonol and MbFe(III) and oxymyoglobin, MbFe(II)O2. Oxidised flavonols reduces MbFe(III) to MbFe(II)O2 very efficiently and much faster than the parent flavonol.

The role of quantitative ultrasound in the assessment of bone: a review

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) bone measurement is a promising, relatively new technique for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Unlike to the more established method of bone densitometry [measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) e.g. using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)], QUS does not use ionizing radiation. It is cheaper, takes up less space and is easier to use than densitometry techniques. The two QUS parameters currently measured are broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS). The reported age-related changes for healthy women range from -0.27% to -1.62% per year for BUA and from -0.06% to -0.19% per year for SOS. Precision ranges from 1.0 to 3.8% (CV) for BUA and from 0.19 to 0.30% (CV) for SOS. The new method of imaging ultrasound has improved the precision of QUS measurements. QUS is significantly correlated with BMD. Studies with the latest equipment have shown r-values between 0.6 and 0.9 in site-specific measurements, and QUS is thus believed to reflect mainly BMD. However, other studies indicate that QUS measures something other than the actual mineral content of bone, namely bone quality, e.g. in vitro studies have shown that QUS reflects trabecular orientation independently of BMD. In both cross-sectional and prospective studies, QUS seems to be as good a predictor of osteoporotic fractures as BMD. In two large prospective studies, QUS also predicted fracture risk independently of BMD. QUS has just begun to be used systematically for monitoring the response to anti-osteoporotic treatments in prospective trials. In the studies performed, QUS has been found to be useful in the follow-up of patients. QUS is thus a promising new technique for bone assessment.

Kinetics of reduction of hypervalent iron in myoglobin by crocin in aqueous solution

Crocin in aqueous solution is oxidized by ferrylmyoglobin, MbFe(IV) = O, in a second order reaction with k = 183 l.mol-1.s-1, delta H++298 = 55.0 kJ.mol-1, and delta S++298 = -17 J.mol-1.K-1 (pH = 6.8, ionic strength 0.16 (NaCl), 25 degrees C), as studied by stopped-flow spectroscopy. The reaction has 1:1 stoichiometry to yield metmyoglobin, MbFe(III), and has delta G theta = -11 kJ.mol-1, as calculated from the literature value E0 = +0.85 V (pH = 7.4) vs. NHE for MbFe(IV)=O/MbFe(III) and from the half-peak potential +0.74 V (vs. NHE in aqueous 0.16 NaCl, pH = 7.4) determined by cyclic voltammetry for the one-electron oxidation product of crocin, for which a cation radical structure is proposed and which has a half-peak potential of +0.89 V for its formation from the two-electron oxidation product of crocin. The ferrylmyoglobin protein-radical, MbFe(IV)=O, reacts with crocin with 2:1 stoichiometry to yield MbFe(IV)=O, as determined by ESR spectroscopy, in a reaction faster than the second order protein-radical generating reaction between H2O2 and MbFe(III), for which latter reaction k = 137 l.mol-1.s-1, delta H++298 = 51.5 kJ.mol-1, and delta S++298 = -31 J.mol-1.K-1 (pH = 6.8, ionic strength = 0.16 (NaCl), 25 degrees C) was determined. Based on the difference between the stoichiometry for the reaction between crocin and each of the two hypervalent forms of myoglobin, it is concluded in agreement with the determined half peak reduction potentials, that the crocin cation radical is less reducing compared to crocin, as the cation radical can reduce the protein radical but not the iron(IV) centre in hypervalent myoglobin.