Assessing the viability of cyanobacteria pellets for application in arid land restoration.

The role of cyanobacteria from soil biocrusts in restoring degraded land is gaining interest in recent years because of their critical role in enhancing soil fertility and preventing erosion. However, soil restoration through cyanobacterial inoculation remains a challenge for large-scale restoration efforts and new methodologies for effective cyanobacterial application need to be developed. Here, we propose a bioenvironmental approach to inoculate soils with pelletized cyanobacteria from soil biocrusts. Fresh cultures of three soil native cyanobacteria strains from two representative N-fixing genera (Nostoc and Scytonema) and a non-heterocystous filamentous genus (Leptolyngbya) were added into a substrate composed of commercial bentonite powder and sand (1:10 wt ratio) and extruded into pellets. Then, in two multifactorial microcosm experiments under glasshouse conditions, we evaluated (i) the survival and establishment over time of the cyanobacteria encapsulated in pellets, and ii) the viability of pelletized cyanobacteria after drying and storing for 30 d, on soils from three arid regions in Australia. Our results showed that pellets can dissolve completely and spread out in all treatments. Scytonema and the consortium of the three cyanobacteria species showed significant (P < 0.001) deeper CR680 peaks, higher chlorophyll a contents and lower albedo compared to the other inoculation treatments. Storing the pellets for 30 d significantly affected the viability of the cyanobacteria inoculum with reductions of approximately 50% in chlorophyll a content (a proxy for cyanobacteria biomass). Overall, our results showed that some cyanobacteria species can be successfully incorporated into extruded pellets and survive on degraded soils. This technology opens a wide range of opportunities for application in large scale restoration programs although further testing and refining through field trials is recommended.

Longer mean colonoscopy withdrawal time is associated with increased adenoma detection: evidence from the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in England.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Increasing colonoscopy withdrawal time (CWT) is thought to be associated with increasing adenoma detection rate (ADR). Current English guidelines recommend a minimum CWT of 6 minutes. It is known that in the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) in England there is wide variation in CWT. The aim of this observational study was to examine the relationship between CWT and ADR. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study examined data from 31 088 colonoscopies by 147 screening program colonoscopists. Colonoscopists were grouped in four levels of mean CWT ( < 7, 7 - 8.9, 9 - 10.9, and ≥ 11 minutes). Univariable and multivariable analysis (binary logistic and negative binomial regression) were used to explore the relationship between CWT, ADR, mean number of adenomas and number of right-sided and advanced adenomas. RESULTS: In colonoscopists with a mean CWT < 7 minutes, the mean ADR was 42.5 % compared with 47.1 % in the ≥ 11-minute group (P < 0.001). The mean number of adenomas detected per procedure increased from 0.77 to 0.94, respectively (P < 0.001). The increase in adenoma detection was mainly of subcentimeter or proximal adenomas; there was no increase in the detection of advanced adenomas. Regression models showed an increase in ADR from 43 % to 46.5 % for mean CWT times ranging from 6 to 10 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that longer mean withdrawal times are associated with increasing adenoma detection, mainly of small or right-sided adenomas. However, beyond 10 minutes the increase in ADR is minimal. Mean withdrawal times longer than 6 minutes are not associated with increased detection of advanced adenomas. Withdrawal time remains an important quality metric of colonoscopy.

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori increases nocturnal intragastric acidity during dosing with rabeprazole, omeprazole, lansoprazole and placebo.

BACKGROUND: The eradication of Helicobacter pylori decreases the antisecretory activity of omeprazole and lansoprazole. Rabeprazole is a potent proton pump inhibitor that may not be affected as greatly by H. pylori status. AIM: To compare the effect of H. pylori eradication on intragastric acidity and plasma gastrin during dosing with lansoprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole and placebo. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy H. pylori-infected volunteers were studied on day 7 of dosing with placebo, lansoprazole 30 mg, omeprazole 20 mg and rabeprazole 20 mg, before and at least 5 weeks after H. pylori eradication. On each occasion, the 24-h intragastric acidity was measured by gastric aspiration. Plasma gastrin concentrations were measured hourly from 08.00 to 13.00 h. RESULTS: Sixteen subjects completed the study. For all three drugs and placebo, H. pylori eradication increased intragastric acidity, particularly nocturnal acidity, and decreased plasma gastrin. There were no differences between the three drugs with respect to 24-h acidity, percentage of time pH > 4 or 5-h plasma gastrin, either before or after H. pylori eradication. Before eradication, the percentage nocturnal time at pH > 3 was significantly greater during rabeprazole than during lanso-prazole dosing. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in intragastric acidity seen after H. pylori eradication during dosing with proton pump inhibitors is a drug-class effect, particularly affecting nocturnal acid control. This is related to increased spontaneous intragastric acidity after H. pylori eradication.

Antidepressant induced cholestasis: hepatocellular redistribution of multidrug resistant protein (MRP2).

BACKGROUND: We report two cases of antidepressant induced cholestasis. CASE REPORTS: We describe the first reported case of acute cholestasis due to citalopram (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) occurring in a patient who also experienced obstetric cholestasis in association with each of three pregnancies; in a second patient cholestasis developed due to dothiepin (tricyclic antidepressant), and six years later due to paroxetine. In both cases liver biopsies showed features of a "pure" cholestasis with total resolution within 1-6 months after withdrawal of the causative drug. Immunostaining for the canalicular transporter, multidrug resistant protein 2 (MRP2), responsible for biliary secretion of several organic anions including bilirubin glucuronides, showed sustained expression in both biopsies as well as relocalisation with appearance of strong staining of the basolateral membrane of the hepatocyte. This finding has also not been reported previously. CONCLUSIONS: We postulate that intracellular redistribution of MRP2 may reflect an adaptive compensatory mechanism which helps in the elimination of the drug or its cholestatic metabolites from the hepatocyte back to the sinusoidal space and subsequent excretion in urine. Changes seen in these two patients differ from findings previously reported in rats where downregulation of mrp2 occurs in response to experimentally induced cholestasis. We speculate that the rat is more advanced than humans in its ability to downregulate canalicular transporter expression as protection against progressive intrahepatic cholestasis.

A blinded, randomized comparison of a novel, low-dose, triple regimen with fleet phospho-soda: a study of colon cleanliness, speed and success of colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: A clean colon is essential for an efficient examination. The aim of this study was to compare a novel low-dose, low volume triple regimen with Fleet Phospho-soda. METHODS: A blinded, experienced colonoscopist examined 132 consecutive patients randomly allocated to receive either a triple regimen consisting of senna syrup (sennoside B), Picolax (sodium picosulphate), and Klean Prep (polyethylene glycol 3350), or Fleet Phospho-soda (sodium dihydrogen phosphate and disodium phosphate dodecahydrate). The colonoscopist recorded cleanliness according to a scoring system (1-very clean to 4-solid stools), and time taken to reach the caecum. RESULTS: In the triple regimen group (n = 81), 73% scored 1 or 2 compared with 57% in the Fleet Phospho-soda group (n = 51, p = 0.037 Mann-Whitney U-test). Examination to caecum was achieved in 95% of the triple regimen group and 89% of the Fleet Phospho-soda group. Among those examined as far as the caecum, the time to reach the caecum was 11 minutes (range 5-50) in the triple regimen group compared with 16 minutes (range 5-65) in the Fleet Phospho-soda group (p = 0.08, Mann-Whitney U-test). Patient tolerability was not assessed in this study. CONCLUSIONS: This novel triple regimen produces a cleaner colon than Fleet Phospho-soda, is associated with a trend towards a quicker and more efficient colonic examination, and is also 30% cheaper per patient.

An HPLC/MS/MS assay for tacrolimus in patient blood samples. Correlation with results of an ELISA assay.

An HPLC/MS/MS assay for tacrolimus in whole blood using FR900520 as an internal standard was validated over the standard curve range of 0.100-10.040 ng ml-1. The calibration curve for tacrolimus in human blood gave a slope of 0.2481, an intercept of 0.007, and a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9996, with no interference noted from human blood, analyte, or internal standard stock solutions. Use of EDTA or heparin as the preservative in blood resulted in no significant differences. Samples were stable for at least the time required to assay the maximum number of samples that could be placed in the automated system. The limit of sensitivity of the assay was set at the concentration of the lowest nonzero standard tested, i.e., 0.100 ng ml-1. However, validation of the assay to a limit of 0.010 ng ml-1 is currently underway. The within-run and between-run precision and accuracy of the method were determined for four quality control samples. The highest CV was seen at 0.1 ng ml-1 (17.6% within-run and 15.9% between-run), with other CV < 5%. The recovery ranged 79.6-81.3% for tacrolimus over the range 0.3-8.0 ng ml-1 and was 63.10 +/- 1.37% for FR900520. There was a linear correlation (r2 = 0.963) between assay results by HPLC/MS/MS and ELISA in whole blood from atopic dermatitis patients treated with topical tacrolimus ointment. The difference between the means +/- S.D. determined by HPLC/MS/MS (1.22 +/- 1.46 ng ml-1) and ELISA (1.12 +/- 1.29 ng ml-1) was significant by a paired t-test (P < 0.001) Similarly, there was a linear correlation (r2 = 0.841) between assay results by HPLC/MS/MS and IMx in whole blood from solid organ transplant patients treated with tacrolimus. The difference between the means was significantly higher (P < 0.001) for the IMx (15.80 +/- 8.37 ng ml-1) than the HPLC/MS/MS (13.42 +/- 6.87 ng ml-1).

The determination in human plasma of 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid following administration of salmeterol xinafoate.

The clinical development of salmeterol xinafoate, the 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid salt of salmeterol, a potent long acting beta 2 agonist bronchodilator, has required the development of a method for the determination of 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (HNA), in human plasma. A sensitive, accurate and precise method was, therefore, required to enable the pharmacokinetic profile to be established. HNA was determined in human plasma using a semi-automated procedure with solid-phase extraction using an automated analytical sample processor (AASP) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. The method was sensitive to 10 ng ml-1. The method is specific for HNA with respect to endogenous plasma components and has been shown to be robust, accurate and precise. Over four independent assay runs, the relative standard deviations (RSD) of the quality control samples (QC) were 1.6, 2.4 and 5.5% at 180, 100 and 40 ng ml-1, respectively. A pharmacokinetic profile of HNA in man has been established from a single dose kinetic study in healthy volunteers following an oral dose of 500 micrograms salmeterol xinafoate, equivalent to 225 micrograms HNA. Maximum plasma concentrations attained at 1 h after dosing ranged between 35.3 and 66.8 ng ml-1 and were within the calibration range of the assay.

Effects of cross-section structure on the dosimetric response functions for 0.4 to 10.0 MeV neutrons in the ICRU tissue sphere.

The effect of the fluctuating cross-section structure in the energy range of 0.4 to 10.0 MeV on the dosimetric response functions of neutrons in the ICRU standard tissue sphere is analyzed. A Monte Carlo method with point-energy cross-section values, including coupled transport for neutrons and secondary charged particles, was used in the direct estimation of the absorbed dose and the dose equivalent. An approach was adopted in which source-energy band-average responses were calculated instead of the more usual approach involving monoenergetic source neutrons. Data were obtained for the newly defined term, ambient dose equivalent, at various depths, as well as the older index quantities. Such data generated were compared with information from other research workers. In general, good agreement was found, with due consideration to the differences engendered by the use of the source-energy band-average approach. Agreement was poorest for very shallow depths, corresponding to outer skin thickness, this being a most difficult depth to calculate accurately. The dosimetric data generated in this study should contribute to the ongoing efforts for the standardization of neutron protection dosimetry.

Considerations of coherent scattering and electron binding in incoherent scattering, in computation of dose deposition in tissue from low-energy photon beams.

Two different sets of Monte Carlo computations were carried out for the study of dose penetration of monoenergetic, low-energy (10 to 100 keV) photon beams incident on slabs of tissue. One program took into account coherent scattering and considered electron binding when finding the angle of scattering during incoherent scattering; the other simpler program, customarily used at higher energies, largely ignored these effects. For calculations at the source photon energy of 100 keV, it was found that there was negligible difference in dose distribution in the slab between the more and less complex type of calculations. The same thing was found to be true for the 30 and 10-keV source photon energies only for shallow penetration distances; and at deeper penetrations the simple approach tended to overestimate the dose appreciably. It is concluded that for penetration of low-energy photon beams into tissue, accurate calculational results cannot be assured with the neglect of coherent scattering effects and electron binding considerations in determining the scattering angles except for shallow depths of penetration.

Calculation of low-energy neutron dose indices and depth doses in the ICRU tissue sphere.

Detailed neutron dose distributions were calculated for the ICRU tissue sphere for broad, parallel beams of incident neutrons with 10 different energies ranging from thermal to 0.3 MeV. The calculation was carried out by the Monte Carlo method on the CYBER 175 computer of the University of Illinois. From these calculated data, a set of fluence-to-dose-index conversion factors, needed to establish the allowable limits for exposure to external neutron beams, was obtained. Normalized depth doses along the principal axis at depths of 0.007, 0.3 and 1.0 cm are also provided. The fluence-to-dose-index conversion factors are compared to previous conversion factors based on cylindrical phantoms, and any differences are explained.