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Sterile Water (sterile + water)
Selected AbstractsB-domain deleted recombinant factor VIII preparations are bioequivalent to a monoclonal antibody purified plasma-derived factor VIII concentrate: a randomized, three-way crossover studyHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 2 2005C. M. Kessler Summary., Background:, Deletion of the B-domain of recombinant blood coagulation factor VIII (BDDrFVIII) increases the manufacturing yield of the product but does not impair in vitro or in vivo functionality. BDDrFVIII (ReFacto®) has been developed with the additional benefit of being formulated without human albumin. Objective:, The primary objective of this three-way crossover-design study was to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of two BDDrFVIII formulations (one reconstituted with 5 mL of sterile water, the other reconstituted with 4 mL sodium chloride 0.9% USP) with those of a plasma-derived, full-length FVIII preparation (Hemofil® M) in patients with haemophilia A to determine bioequivalence. Methods:, A series of blood samples were collected over a period of 48 h after i.v. administration of each of the FVIII preparations. Plasma FVIII activity was determined using a validated chromogenic substrate assay. Plasma FVIII activity vs. time curves was characterized for a standard set of PK parameter estimates. Two parameter estimates, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and the area under plasma concentration vs. time curves (AUCs), were used to evaluate bioequivalence. The two preparations were considered bioequivalent if the 90% confidence intervals for the ratio of geometric means for Cmax and AUCs fell within the bioequivalence window of 80% to 125%. Results/Conclusion:, Results show that each BDDrFVIII formulation is bioequivalent to Hemofil M and the two formulations of BDDrFVIII are bioequivalent to each other. [source] An in-vitro investigation of the antibacterial effect of nisin in root canals and canal wall radicular dentineINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 10 2004S. R. Turner Abstract Aim, To determine whether nisin, a bacteriocin, would be effective at killing Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus gordonii cells in solution and within the root canal system. Methodology, Bacterial isolates of E. faecalis and S. gordonii were grown from glycerol stocks in closed tubes containing BHY broth at 37 °C. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of nisin for both bacterial species was determined by a microdilution method. Extracted human teeth were decoronated to produce roots of equal length with a single canal and divided into six groups of 10 roots. The canals were prepared to a master apical size 30 file using 0.04 taper Ni-Ti rotary instruments. Bacterial samples of each species were inoculated into three groups of prepared roots and incubated in closed tubes at 37 °C for 21 days. The root canals in each group were then medicated with water (control), calcium hydroxide powder mixed with sterile water [Ca(OH)2], or nisin and incubated for a further 7 days. Rotary Ni-Ti files were used to take radicular dentine samples from the walls of each canal which were then incubated in BHY broth for 24 h. Optical density (OD600) readings were taken as a measure of bacterial growth. Results, The MBC of nisin for E. faecalis and S. gordonii was 70 and 20 mg mL,1 respectively. Calcium hydroxide and nisin medication eradicated infection within the root canal while cells remained viable in the control group. Mean optical density (OD600) readings from canal wall dentine shavings infected with E. faecalis were 1.32 ± 0.98, 0.73 ± 0.27 and 0.69 ± 0.38 for the control, Ca(OH)2 and nisin samples respectively. Corresponding mean readings for S. gordonii were 1.19 ± 0.18, 0.73 ± 0.15 and 0.60 ± 0.29. The Ca(OH)2 and nisin group readings were significantly (P < 0.01) lower than the control for each species as tested by Student's t -test and Mann,Whitney U statistical analysis. Values for Ca(OH)2 and nisin were not significantly (P > 0.01) different. Conclusion, Nisin was effective at eradicating E. faecalis and S. gordonii cells in pure culture and was comparable with Ca(OH)2 in the elimination of these species from within the root canal system. [source] Transmission of cotton seed and boll rotting bacteria by the southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula L.)JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007E.G. Medrano Abstract Aims:, To determine the ability of the southern green stink bug (SGSB) (Nezara viridula L.) to transmit Pantoea agglomerans into cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) bolls. Methods and Results:, An SGSB laboratory colony was kept on fresh green beans. A P. agglomerans variant resistant to rifampicin (Rif) (strain Sc 1-R) was used as the opportunistic cotton pathogen. Adult insects were individually provided green beans that were sterilized and then soaked in either sterile water or in a suspension of strain Sc 1-R. Insects were individually caged with an unopened greenhouse-grown cotton boll. After 2 days, live SGSB were collected, surfaced sterilized, ground, serially diluted, and then plated on nonselective media and media amended with Rif. Exterior and interior evidence of feeding on bolls was recorded 2 weeks after exposure to insects. Seed and lint tissue were harvested, ground, serially diluted, and then plated on media with and without Rif. Bacteria were recovered on nonselective media from all insects, and from seed and lint with signs of insect feeding at concentrations ranging from 102 to 109 CFU g,1 tissue. The Sc 1-R strain was isolated only from insects exposed to the marked strain and from seed and lint of respective bolls showing signs of insect feeding. Evidence of insect feeding on the exterior wall of the carpel was not always apparent (47%), whereas feeding was always observed (100%) on the interior wall in association with bacterial infections of seed and lint. Conclusions:,Nezara viridula readily ingested the opportunistic P. agglomerans strain Sc 1-R and transmitted it into unopened cotton bolls. Infections by the transmitted Sc 1-R strain caused rotting of the entire locule that masked internal carpel wounds incurred by insect feeding. Bacteria were recovered from penetration points by insects not exposed to the pathogen, but locule damage was limited to the area surrounding the feeding site (c. 3 mm). Significance and Impact of the Study:, This is the first study that demonstrates the ability of SGSB to acquire and transmit plant pathogenic bacteria into cotton bolls. [source] Rapid and effective detection of anthrax spores in soil by PCRJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2003H.I. Cheun Abstract Aims: To detect Bacillus anthracis DNA from soil using rapid and simple procedures. Methods and Results: Various amounts of B. anthracis Pasteur II spores were added artificially to 1 g of soil, which was then washed with ethanol and sterile water. Enrichment of the samples in trypticase soy broth was performed twice. A DNA template was prepared from the second enrichment culture using a FastPrep instrument. The template was then used for nested and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with B. anthracis -specific primers, to confirm the presence of B. anthracis chromosomal DNA and the pXO1/pXO2 plasmids. Conclusions: One cell of B. anthracis in 1 g of soil could be detected by nested and real-time PCR. The usefulness of the PCR method using field samples was also confirmed. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results indicate that this could be a useful method for detecting anthrax-spore contaminated soil with high sensitivity. Its application could have great impact on the progress of epidemiological surveillance. [source] EFFECT OF SOLUBLE POLYLACTIC ACID DURING REFRIGERATED STORAGE OF GROUND MEATS INOCULATED WITH ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7,JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2000ANN ALLANSON ABSTRACT Ground beef, ground pork, and commercial breakfast sausage were inoculated (6.5 log10 CFU/mL) with a five strain mixture of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 and treated either with sterile water, or 1% or 2% solutions of soluble polylactic acid (SPLA) in sterile water and stored at 4C for 1, 24, 72 and 168 h. After 168 h, 2% SPLA was significantly (p0.05) more effective than both 1% SPLA and sterile water in reducing E. coli 0157:H7 and resulted in overall reductions of 1.68, 1.70, and 1.32 log10 CFU/mL for beef, pork, and pork sausage, respectively, when compared to control samples. The meat samples treated with 1% and 2% SPLA maintained significantly (p 0.05) lower pH values throughout refrigerated storage of 168 h with the higher concentration sustaining pH values from 3.83 to 3.92. Although the inhibitory effect of this acid increased with storage time, E. coli 0157:H7 survived these acidic conditions, with water activity levels ranging from 0.972 to 0.991. [source] An infection control protocol: effectiveness of immersion solutions to reduce the microbial growth on dental prosthesesJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 5 2003A. C. Pavarina summary, This investigation evaluated the effectiveness of an infection control protocol for cleansing and disinfecting removable dental prostheses. Sixty-four dentures were rubbed with sterile cotton swab immediately after they had been taken from patients' mouths. Samples were individually placed in the culture medium and immediately incubated at 37 ± 2 °C. The dentures were scrubbed for 1 min with 4% chlorhexidine, rinsed for 1 min in sterile water and placed for 10 min in one of the following immersion solutions: 4% chlorhexidine gluconate, 1% sodium hypochlorite, Biocide (iodophors) and Amosan (alkaline peroxide). After the disinfection procedures, the dentures were immersed in sterile water for 3 min, reswabbed and the samples were incubated. All samples obtained in the initial culture were contaminated with micro-organisms. All the lower dentures immersed in Biocide showed positive growth, and the upper dentures were positive for growth in six of eight dentures. The 4% chlorhexidine gluconate, 1% sodium hypochlorite and Amosan solutions have been proved effective to reduce the growth of the micro-organisms in the 10 min immersion period. The protocol evaluated in this study seems to be a viable method to prevent cross-contamination between dental personnel and patients. [source] Transmission of Pepino mosaic virus by the Fungal Vector Olpidium virulentusJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Ana Alfaro-Fernández Abstract Transmission of Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) by the fungal vector Olpidium virulentus was studied in two experiments. Two characterized cultures of the fungus were used as stock cultures for the assay: culture A was from lettuce roots collected in Castellón (Spain), and culture B was from tomato roots collected in Murcia (Spain). These fungal cultures were maintained in their original host and irrigated with sterile water. The drainage water collected from irrigating these stock cultures was used for watering PepMV-infected and non-infected tomato plants to constitute the acquisition,source plants of the assay, which were divided into six different plots: plants containing fungal culture A (non-infected and PepMV-infected); plants containing fungal culture B (non-infected and PepMV-infected); PepMV-infected plants without the fungus; and plants non-infected either with PepMV and the fungus. Thirty-six healthy plants grouped into six plots, which constituted the virus acquisition,transmission plants of the assay, were irrigated with different drainage waters obtained by watering the different plots of the acquisition,source plants. PepMV was only transmitted to plants irrigated with the drainage water collected from PepMV-infected plants whose roots contained the fungal culture B from tomato with a transmission rate of 8%. No infection was detected in plants irrigated with the drainage water collected from plots with only a fungus or virus infection. Both the virus and fungus were detected in water samples collected from the drainage water of the acquisition,source plants of the assay. These transmission assays demonstrated the possibility of PepMV transmission by O. virulentus collected from tomato crops. [source] An In Vitro Investigation of a Comparison of Bond Strengths of Composite to Etched and Air-Abraded Human Enamel SurfacesJOURNAL OF PROSTHODONTICS, Issue 1 2006G.B. Gray BDS Purpose: The purposes of the study were to measure the tensile bond strength of composite resin to human enamel specimens that had been either etched or air-abraded, and to compare the quality of the marginal seal, through the assessment of microleakage, of composite resin to human enamel specimens that had been either etched or air-abraded. Materials and Methods: Thirty mandibular molar teeth were decoronated and sectioned mesio-distally to produce six groups, each containing ten specimens that were embedded in acrylic resin using a jig. In each of the four treatment groups, the specimen surfaces were treated by either abrasion with 27 or 50 ,m alumina at 4 mm or 20 mm distance, and a composite resin was bonded to the treated surfaces in a standardized manner. In the two control groups the specimens were treated with 15 seconds exposure to 36% phosphoric acid gel and then similarly treated before being stored in sterile water for 1 week. All specimens were then subjected to tensile bond strength testing at either 1 or 5 mm/min crosshead speed. For the microleakage study, the degree of dye penetration was measured 32 times for each treatment group, using a neutral methylene blue dye at the interface between composite and either 27 or 50 ,m air-abraded tooth structure or etched enamel surfaces. Results: The mean bond strength values recorded for Group 1 (phosphoric acid etch, 5 mm/min crosshead speed) was 25.4 MPa; Group 2 (phosphoric acid etch, 1 mm/min), 22.2 MPa; Group 3 (27 ,m alumina at 4 mm distance), 16.8 MPa; Group 4 (50 ,m alumina at 4 mm distance), 16.9 MPa; Group 5 (27 ,m alumina at 20 mm distance), 4.2 MPa; and for Group 6 (50 ,m alumina at 20 mm distance) 3.4 MPa. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated significant differences among the groups, and a multiple comparison test (Tukey) demonstrated that conventionally etched specimens had a greater bond strength than air-abraded specimen groups. No significant difference in dye penetration could be demonstrated among the groups (p= 0.58). Conclusions: Composite resin applied to enamel surfaces prepared using an acid etch procedure exhibited higher bond strengths than those prepared with air abrasion technology. The abrasion particle size did not affect the bond strength produced, but the latter was adversely affected by the distance of the air abrasion nozzle from the enamel surface. The crosshead speed of the bond testing apparatus had no effect on the bond strengths recorded. The marginal seal of composite to prepared enamel was unaffected by the method of enamel preparation. [source] Effects of Intravenously Administrated Omeprazole on Gastric Juice pH and Gastric Ulcer Scores in Adult HorsesJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2006Frank M. Andrews The study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of omeprazole powder in sterile water, administered intravenously, on gastric juice pH in adult horses with naturally occurring gastric ulcers. Omeprazole (0.5 mg/kg, IV) was administered once daily for 5 days to adult horses with gastric ulcers. Gastric juice was aspirated through the biopsy channel of an endoscope and pH was measured before and 1 hour after administration of omeprazole on day 1, and then before and after administration of omeprazole on day 5. Gastric ulcer scores were recorded on day 1 before administration of omeprazole and on day 5, 23 hours after the 4th daily dose. Gastric juice pH and ulcer scores were compared between the times. When compared with the pre-injection value (2.01 ± 0.42), mean ± SD gastric juice pH was significantly higher when measured 1 hour after administration of the initial dose (4.35 ± 2.31), and before (5.27 ± 1.74) and 1 hour after (7.00 ± 0.25) administration of omeprazole on day 5. Nonglandular gastric ulcer number score significantly decreased from a mean ± SD of 3.2 ± 0.80 to 2.0 ± 1.1, but nonglandular gastric ulcer severity score remained the same. Few glandular ulcers were seen in the study, and scores did not change. Because of its potent and long duration of action on gastric juice pH, this intravenous formulation of omeprazole may show promise for treatment of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) in horses with dysphagia, gastric reflux, or other conditions that restrict oral intake of omeprazole paste.a Aspiration of gastric juice and measurement of pH can be of use to determine whether the desired pH > 4.0 has been reached after omeprazole treatment. [source] Efficacy of sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid in sanitizing green coconutsLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009E.H.M. Walter Abstract Aims:, To evaluate the efficacy of sanitizing green coconuts (Cocos nucifera L.) through the treatment applied by juice industries using sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid. Methods and Results:, The surface of the fruits was inoculated with a mixture of five Listeria monocytogenes strains. The treatments consisted in immersing the fruits for 2 min at room temperature in sodium hypochlorite solution containing 200 mg l,1 residual chlorine at pH 6·5, and 80 mg l,1 solution of peracetic acid or sterile water. Bacterial populations were quantified by culturing on trypticase soy agar supplemented with yeast extract and Oxford selective culture medium; however, recovery was higher on the nonselective medium. Immersion in water produced a reduction in the L. monocytogenes population of 1·7 log10 CFU per fruit, while immersion in sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid solutions resulted in population reductions of 2·7 and 4·7 log10 CFU per fruit respectively. Conclusions:, The treatments studied are efficient to green coconuts. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Sanitation of green coconut is one of the most important control measures to prevent the contamination of coconut water. This article provides information that shows the adequacy of sanitizing treatments applied by the juice industries. [source] Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes on the surface of tomatoes by neutral electrolyzed waterLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2003M.A. Deza Abstract Aims:, To determine the efficacy of neutral electrolyzed water (NEW) in killing Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes, as well as nonpathogenic E. coli, on the surface of tomatoes, and to evaluate the effect of rinsing with NEW on the organoleptic characteristics of the tomatoes. Methods and Results:, The bactericidal activity of NEW, containing 444 or 89 mg l,1 of active chlorine, was evaluated over pure cultures (8·5 log CFU ml,1) of the above-mentioned strains. All of them were reduced by more than 6 log CFU ml,1 within 5 min of exposure to NEW. Fresh tomatoes were surface-inoculated with the same strains, and rinsed in NEW (89 mg l,1 of active chlorine) or in deionized sterile water (control), for 30 or 60 s. In the NEW treatments, independent of the strain and of the treatment time, an initial surface population of about 5 log CFU sq.cm,1 was reduced to <1 log CFU sq.cm,1, and no cells were detected in the washing solution by plating procedure. A sensory evaluation was conducted to ascertain possible alterations in organoleptic qualities, yielding no significant differences with regard to untreated tomatoes. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Rinsing in NEW reveals as an effective method to control the presence of E. coli O157:H7, S. enteritidis and L. monocytogenes on the surface of fresh tomatoes, without affecting their organoleptic characteristics. This indicates its potential application for the decontamination of fresh produce surfaces. [source] Bactericidal effect of chlorine on Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in drinking waterLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2001L.B. Whan Aims:,One possible route of transmission of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis from cattle to humans is via contaminated water supplies. The aim of this work was to determine whether this organism can survive standard water treatment processes. Methods and Results:,Two strains of M. paratuberculosis (bovine strain, NCTC 8578 and human strain Linda, ATCC 43015) were subjected to various chlorine concentrations (0·5, 1·0 and 2·0 ,g ml,1) for 15 and 30 min. Chlorine test solutions were made up in two types of water, sterile water that had been deionized and subjected to reverse osmosis (DRO) and DRO water containing MgCl2, CaCl2, NaHCO3 and bovine serum albumin (0·3% w/v), the latter to mimic conditions the organism would experience in commercial water treatment operations. Conclusions:,The data showed that when initial inoculum levels were high (106 cfu ml,1) neither M. paratuberculosis strain was completely killed at the free chlorine concentrations and contact times applied. Log10 reductions in the range 1·32,2·82 were observed. The greatest log10 reduction in cell numbers (2·82 and 2·35 for the bovine and human strains, respectively) was observed at the highest chlorine concentration (2 ,g ml,1) and longest contact time (30 min). Significance and Impact of the Study:,This work highlights the need for further research into the survival of M. paratuberculosis during water treatment. [source] Comparison of two doses of breast milk and sucrose during neonatal heel prickPEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2010Tutku Ozdogan Abstract Background:, The aim of the present study was to test analgesic effects of double- versus single-dose breast milk and compare this effect with efficacy of double- versus single-dose sucrose in a group of healthy term newborns during heel prick blood sampling. Methods:, Healthy newborns (n= 142) were consecutively allocated to one of the six groups: group 1, single-dose breast milk; group 2, single-dose sterile water; group 3, single-dose 12.5% sucrose; group 4, two doses breast milk; group 5, two doses sterile water; and group 6, two doses 12.5% sucrose before the heel prick. The medians for crying time and the pain scores according to the neonatal facial coding system were recorded. Results:, Crying times were 117 s, 126 s, 82 s, 128 s, 117 s, and 95 s in groups 1,6, respectively (P= 0.053). The mean pain scores were 4.60, 5.82, 3.91, 4.94, 5, and 4.05 in groups 1,6, respectively (P= 0.068). There was a significant difference between the groups for mean pain scores at 1 min and 3 min. There was a significant difference between the single-dose sucrose group and single-dose sterile water group at 1 min (P= 0.002). The babies in the sucrose group were active awake, whereas the ones in the breast milk group were asleep before heel prick. Conclusion:, Two doses of sucrose solution were not superior to single-dose sucrose. Neither single nor double doses of breast milk were effective in relieving pain in neonates. Two milliliters breast milk does not reduce response to pain during minor painful procedures in term neonates even when two doses have been given. Further studies are needed. [source] A high throughput membrane BIO-PCR technique for ultra-sensitive detection of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicolaPLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2007N. W. Schaad Molecular-based methods such as PCR have greatly improved detection of bacteria in environmental samples. However, the sensitivity of PCR is not high when compared to agar plating assays, and inhibitors from plants are often a problem. Pre-enriching bacteria on agar media (BIO-PCR) can increase the sensitivity of PCR by more than 100% and reduce the effects of inhibitors. To further increase the sensitivity and also reduce the labour needed for BIO-PCR, a high throughput 96-well membrane BIO-PCR technique is described for ultra-sensitive detection of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola (PSP) (syn. P. phaseolicola) in washings of seeds and leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris, using available classical PCR primers and newly designed real-time primers and probe. The primers and probe, designed from a tox-argK chromosomal cluster of the PSP-specific phaseolotoxin gene, were confirmed to be specific to PSP. Samples (1·2 mL) were filtered under vacuum in 96-well membrane plates. After incubating on soft agar medium for 48,52 h, each well is washed with 200 µL of sterile water and used immediately for nested (two-step) PCR or real-time PCR or stored at ,20°C. Results of assaying spiked seed washings showed that classical PCR was unable to detect PSP at mean concentrations of 40 colony forming units (cfu) mL,1. BIO-PCR detected PSP in five out of six samples at 40 mean cfu mL,1 but none at mean concentrations of 4·2 and 0·4 mean cfu mL,1. In contrast, membrane BIO-PCR detected the bacterium in all six samples tested containing as few as 0·4 mean cfu mL,1. The sensitivity of detection from leaf washings was lower but the results were similar, classical and BIO-PCR were negative from all three levels of inoculum while membrane BIO-PCR detected three out of three samples at 80 mean cfu mL,1 and one out of three at 40 mean cfu mL,1. [source] Preparation of a multifunctional bacterial fertilizer by living azospirillum simplex cells immobilized on poly(sodium acrylate)POLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 1-2 2004Yun-Pu Wang Abstract A living azospirillum simplex cell (LASSC) was immobilized on poly(sodium acrylate) (PSA). The method of preparation of the immobilized-cell (LASSC-PSA) was studied. LASSC was immobilized on PSA in an immobilizing medium of Na2HPO4,·,12H2O-NaH2PO4,·,2H2O (pH 7.0) buffer, sterile water, a solution of NaCl (0.85% m/m), cultured medium (pH 7.0), respectively. The desorption capacity of LASSC on LASSC-PSA in sterile water was measured and when the Na2HPO4,·,12H2O-NaH2PO4,·,2H2O (pH 7.0) buffer served as the immobilizing medium, the desorption capacity of LASSC on LASSC-PSA was the highest. The rate (m/m) of PSA and LASSC (wet weight) also affected considerably the desorption capacity of LASSC on LASSC-PSA in sterile water, and the best rate was 1,:,0.5. The desorption capacity of LASSC on LASSC-PSA was 50% of that at the beginning and that was still 109,cfu/g on storage for 5 months when the rate (m/m) of PSA and LASSC (wet weight) was 1,:,0.5, using Na2HPO4,·,12H2O-NaH2PO4,·,2H2O (pH 7.0) buffer as immobilizing medium. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Intravenous magnesium sulfate in acute severe asthmaRESPIROLOGY, Issue 3 2000Chaichan Boonyavorakul Objective: Intravenous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), as an adjunctive medication to the standard treatment of acute asthma, improves admission rate or severity score in acute severe asthma patients. Methodology: We conducted a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial with subjects from the emergency room, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Patients, aged 15,65 years with acute severe asthma attack, whose severity scores were greater than 4 and who were willing to be enrolled in a study during March to November 1997 participated in the study. Randomly allocated patients received either 2 g intravenous MgSO4 or placebo, sterile water, as an adjunctive medication to standard therapy for acute asthma. The medication was diluted in 50 mL of 0.9% normal saline. Measurement: Severity scores were measured by two investigators using Fischl's indices. The times interval of measurements were at the initial (0), 60, 120, 180, and 240 min from receipt of treatment. Patients were hospitalized if the severity scores at 240 min exceeded 1. Risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of RR were applied to estimate the risk of admission. Analysis of variance with repeated measurement on time was used to determine the severity score between two groups. Results: Thirty-four patients with acute severe asthma were enrolled in the present study. One patient from the placebo group was excluded because he did not consent to undergoing peak expiratory flow rate. Seventeen patients received MgSO4 and 16 patients received placebo. The general characteristics between the two groups were not significantly different, which reflected the quality of randomization. The admission rates of the placebo and MgSO4 group were 25.00% and 17.65%, respectively. Patients who received MgSO4 had preventive risk to be hospitalized 0.71 times relative to patients who received placebo. However, this preventive risk did not reach statistical significance (95% CI of RR = 0.19,2.67). The severity score at any time between the two groups was also not statistically significantly different (P = 0.366). Conclusion: With the present evidence, the hypothesis was not confirmed. Magnesium sulphate as an adjunct to standard therapy did not improve either admission rate or severity score in patients with acute severe asthma. [source] Endotoxin Level Measurement in Hemodialysis Biofilm Using "The Whole Blood Assay"ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 6 2005Karine Marion-Ferey Abstract:, Biofilms have been found on the inner surface of silicone tubing inside dialysis machines. Endotoxin releasing from those biofilms increases the bioincompatibility of dialysis liquids and leads to long-term inflammatory complications among dialysis patients. Endotoxin measurement is recommended for the control of dialysis liquids. This article describes the use of a new method, the Whole Blood Assay (WBA), for endotoxin quantification in dialysis biofilms. Biofilms were suspended in sterile water by scraping the tubing samples. Diluted blood samples from healthy donors were stimulated overnight with the contaminated suspension. Stimulated mononuclear cells released IL-1, in response to endotoxins. IL-1, level was then measured using an ultrasensitive ELISA method. We demonstrated a semilogarithmic model in which the optical densities measured after the ELISA assay increases linearly with the levels of endotoxin. This model allowed the determination of the amount of endotoxins in biofilm samples with a detection limit of 0.032 EU/mL. Most of the time, the amounts of endotoxin measured by the WBA were higher than those measured by the Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay. This study suggested the presence of "endotoxin-like" compounds different from the lipopolysaccharides that are not detected by the LAL assay. We concluded that the LAL is necessary but insufficient to have a representative quantification of endotoxins that could be hazardous to patient health. [source] MOUSE STRAIN-SPECIFIC DIFFERENCES IN CARDIAC METABOLIC ENZYME ACTIVITIES OBSERVED IN A MODEL OF ISOPROTERENOL-INDUCED CARDIAC HYPERTROPHYCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1-2 2007Michael D Faulx SUMMARY 1Alterations in myocardial energy metabolism accompany pressure overload-induced hypertrophy. We previously described a novel model of catecholamine-induced hypertrophy in which A/J mice exhibit more robust cardiac hypertrophy than B6 mice. Accordingly, we assessed the influence of mouse strain on the activities of key myocardial metabolic enzymes and whether there are strain-related metabolic adaptations to short-term, high-dose isoproterenol (ISO) administration. 2Thirty-nine male mice (19 A/J mice, 20 B6 mice), aged 12,15 weeks, were randomly assigned to receive either ISO (100 mg/kg, s.c.) or vehicle (sterile water) daily for 5 days. On Day 6, all hearts were excised, weighed, freeze clamped and assayed for pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, carnitine palmitoyl transferase I and citrate synthase activities. Plasma fatty acids (FA) were also measured. 3The ISO-treated A/J mice demonstrated greater percentage increases in gravimetric heart weight/bodyweight ratio than ISO-treated B6 mice (24 vs 3%, respectively; P < 0.001). All enzyme activities were significantly greater in vehicle-treated B6 mice than in A/J mice, illustrating a greater capacity for aerobic metabolism in B6 mice. Administration of ISO reduced PDHa (active form) activity in B6 mice by 47% (P < 0.001), with no significant change seen in A/J mice. Free FA levels were not significantly different between groups; thus, the differences in PDHa were not due to changes in FA. 4The basal activity of myocardial metabolic enzymes is greater in B6 mice than in A/J mice and ISO alters myocardial PDH activity in a mouse strain-dependent manner. Compared with A/J mice, B6 mice demonstrate less ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy, but greater activity of key enzymes regulating FA and carbohydrate oxidation, which may protect against the development of hypertrophy. The metabolic adaptations associated with ISO-induced hypertrophy differ from those reported with pressure overload hypertrophy. [source] | |||||||||||||