Using liquid smoke to control infestations of the ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, on dry-cured hams during aging.

Eight treatments of edible coatings and nets including liquid smoke (SP and 24P) and xanthan gum (XG) were used to evaluate their effectiveness at controlling mite growth on dry-cured hams. Mite growth was controlled (P < 0.05) in both coating and netting treatments of 1% SP + 1% XG. Increasing SP concentration from 1% to 2% in the SP only treatments without XG did not control mite growth (P > 0.05) in the coating but controlled mite growth (P < 0.05) when infused in the nets. Both coating and netting treatments with 2% 24P + 1% XG controlled mite growth (P < 0.05), and ham cubes with 1% and 2% 24P in infused nets had mite numbers of 4.6 and 9.4, respectively. SP did not impact the sensory attributes of the ham. Results indicate that liquid smoke can potentially be added in coatings or ham nets to control mites and used in an integrated pest management program for dry-cured hams.

A case of sudden, painless, and persistent urinary incontinence.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence is not a common emergency department (ED) complaint, and it is hard to imagine that a case involving this complaint could turn out to be interesting. We report the case of a patient who presented with the complaint of sudden onset of painless urinary incontinence for 1 day, who had an unexpected diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: To describe a case of incontinence with an unexpected diagnosis and to review the various causes of incontinence. CASE REPORT: A 52-year-old woman with a history of kidney stones recently treated with lithotripsy, nephrostomy tubes, and ureteral stents, presented to the ED complaining of new-onset incontinence. The patient had awakened on the morning of presentation with urinary incontinence that persisted throughout the day. On examination she had normal vital signs, and other than a functioning nephrostomy tube, she had a normal examination. In addition to a urinalysis, a KUB (kidney, ureter, and bladder) X-ray study was performed, which showed that her recently placed right ureteral stent had migrated from its original location into the urethra. The stent was found by the urologist protruding from the urethral meatus and removed without difficulty. The patient's incontinence resolved immediately after the stent was removed. CONCLUSION: Emergency physicians frequently see patients with ureteral stents, but may not be aware of how frequently those stents can migrate or malfunction. Our experience suggests that radiologic determination of stent location may be helpful in patients who present with new-onset stress or overflow incontinence.

Proceedings adapted from a payor panel.

BACKGROUND: This panel featured four representatives from the healthcare industry and government, offering an opportunity for critical care professionals to pose questions and discuss issues and concerns relevant to anyone caring for critically ill and injured patients today. A brief biography is provided for each panelist. DISCUSSION: The Society of Critical Care Medicine Advocacy Committee recognized that there are not enough opportunities for clinicians and other members of the critical care team to discuss questions or issues with their counterparts on the payor side of providing clinical care. That is, much of the difficulty faced by providers after providing critical care services could be resolved if the channels of communication were opened, and so a payor panel was organized to start the process. CONCLUSION: Each of the panelists provided a prepared statement on issues relevant to critical care, as evident from their respective roles. Specific scenarios and other suggestions regarding payment policy, coding, and quality of care are provided.