Development of a new antimicrobial concept for boar semen preservation based on bacteriocins.

The conventional storage temperature of 16-18 °C provides optimal conditions for the preservation of boar sperm quality, which are extremely cold sensitive cells. On the other hand, however, it requires the addition of antibiotics to inhibit bacterial growth. Rising numbers of antibiotic resistant bacteria call for alternatives to this conventional storing method. As potential alternative, three different bacteriocin candidates with known bacteriolytic activity against E. coli were examined on possible negative effects concerning the sperm quality and on their impact on bacterial growth of E. coli ILSH 02692 in BTS-extended semen w/o antibiotics. Although the lower concentrations (0.01 and 0.25%) of all bacteriocins did not show any impact on the quality of the semen, the higher concentrations (0.5 and 1.0%) of two bacteriocins led to a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in several sperm quality characteristics. The bacteriocin 860/1c after AMS/dialysis did not affect the sperm quality in any of the tested concentrations and in all tested extenders (BTS, MIII, Androstar Premium and Androhep all w/o antibiotics) at 16 °C as well as at 6 °C. This bacteriocin reduced growth of E. coli ILSH 02692 in BTS-extended semen by 50% compared to the control w/o bacteriocin. Furthermore, a preliminary insemination trial indicated no impact of the selected bacteriocin on fertility. These promising results show that the application of bacteriocins in liquid-preserved semen is a feasible possibility in the future.

PM2.5 and ultrafine particles emitted during heating of commercial cooking oils.

UNLABELLED: Seven commercial cooking oils were investigated to determine the PM(2.5) mass and ultrafine particle (UFP) emission rates and emission fluxes (rates per area). The results of this study showed that at 197°C soybean, safflower, canola, and peanut oils produced lower PM(2.5) emission fluxes (6.1 × 10(5), 3.0 × 10(5), 5.4 × 10(5), and 3.9 × 10(5) µg/min/m(2), respectively) than corn, coconut, and olive oils (2.7 × 10(6), 2.9 × 10(6), and 5.7 × 10(6) µg/min/m(2), respectively). Similarly, the total particle number flux at 197°C was lower for soybean, safflower, and canola oils (3.5 × 10(13), 8.6 × 10(13), and 1.0 × 10(14) #/min/m(2), respectively) than the corn, coconut, olive, and peanut oils (2.4 × 10(14), 1.4 × 10(14), 1.7 × 10(14), and 3.8 × 10(14) #/min/m(2), respectively). In general, oils with a higher smoke temperature resulted in lower particle concentrations over the measured temperature range (131-197°C). The percentage of UFP (particle diameter D(p) 10-100 nm) to total particles (D(p) 10-500 nm) ranged from 76 to 99% for this temperature range. Particles below 10 nm in diameter were not measured. The particle number size distribution showed a polydisperse behavior with major mode sizes ranging from 25 nm (for peanut oil) to 82 nm (for soybean oil) at an oil temperature of 197°C. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The study presents particle number and mass concentrations, size distributions, emission rates, and emission fluxes from heating common cooking oils. The emission rates and emission fluxes can be used as inputs to models for indirect exposure analysis studies. The study may also be used to provide guidance on choosing oils that result in lower emission rates when heated.

Removal of EDTA by UV-C/hydrogen peroxide.

Mineralization of a 5 mM EDTA solution at pH 3 was evaluated via TOC removal under UV-C irradiation in the presence of H2O2 at various conditions. The highest TOC removal (78%) was obtained using a 40:1 H2O2/EDTA molar ratio, after 540 min irradiation. However, a 20:1 ratio gave slightly lower results, being economically more attractive. Best results of TOC removal were obtained under pH controlled conditions. Addition of TiO2 (1 g l(-1)) was detrimental, even in the presence of H2O2, indicating that at this concentration, TiO2 inhibits the mineralization, probably by scattering or by screening of the light.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric mucosal abnormalities in chronic pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic pancreatitis is often associated with abnormal gastric acid secretion. However, previous studies have taken into consideration neither the potential role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection nor histological features of the gastric mucosa in this context. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of H. pylori infection as well as the pattern of gastritis in patients with chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: Forty patients with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis were included in the study: 40 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and normal exocrine pancreatic function and 40 asymptomatic nonalcoholic subjects matched for age and sex used as control subjects. Endoscopy was performed in all patients, and five biopsy specimens from the antrum (three from the gastric body and two from the cardia) were taken for histological grading of gastritis and H. pylori assessment. RESULTS: Prevalence of H. pylori infection was similar in subjects with chronic pancreatitis (38%), asymptomatic subjects (28%) and liver cirrhosis (30%). Topography and expression of H. pylori-associated chronic gastritis was also not different among the three groups of subjects. In H. pylori-negative subjects, the presence of moderate to severe chronic antral gastritis was significantly more common in patients with chronic pancreatitis (40%) than in subjects with liver cirrhosis (18%) and in asymptomatic subjects (14%) (p < 0.05). No difference was found among the three groups of patients with regard to gastritis activity, atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia in the various gastric regions. The chronicity grade of gastritis did not correlate with the severity of pancreatic insufficiency. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of H. pylori infection is not different in patients with chronic pancreatitis as compared with subjects alcoholic liver cirrhosis and asymptomatic subjects. A severe H. pylori-negative chronic gastritis is more common in patients with chronic pancreatitis. This chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa could contribute to determining the changes in gastric physiology described in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

In vivo 31P NMR spectroscopy of human musculoskeletal tumors as a measure of response to chemotherapy.

The value of in vivo 31P NMR spectroscopy to provide indicators of response to cytostatic chemotherapy was studied in patients with malignant musculoskeletal tumors. Characteristics of untreated cancers were strong signals of PME and PDE, moderately increased Pi and low PCr. The intracellular pH was slightly alkaline. The intracellular concentration of free magnesium was 70% of that in muscle. Spectroscopic findings at different times of therapy were compared with the percentage of tumor necrosis after surgical resection in 28 patients. In follow-up studies, energy-rich phosphates declined in nonresponders, while PME, Pi and frequently PDE increased. Treatment response appeared to involve the reversal of these trends. In five responders, a biphasic pattern was observed, i.e. initially the spectrum changed into that of severely ischemic cell injury followed by a successive phase of apparent 'tumor activation'. Pretreatment levels of (PCr+Pi)/total phosphate > or = 0.35 and PCr/ alpha-NTP > or = 1.5, an accelerated increase in total low-energy phosphates/total high-energy phosphates (> or = 3.0%/day) after the initial drug application, and a long-term decrease (< or = -0.4%/day) during later therapy were highly indicative of tumor response to chemotherapy. Such spectroscopic predictors for treatment response proved to be superior to currently used indices such as tumor size.

[Value of sonographically guided biopsy in the histological diagnosis of benign and malignant soft-tissue and bone tumors]. / Wert der sonographisch gesteuerten Biopsie zur histologischen Diagnostik von benignen und malignen Weichteil- und Knochentumoren.

In 41 patients, an ultrasound guided needle biopsy for histological diagnosis of benign and malignant soft tissue and bone tumors was carried out. In 32 cases following ultrasound guided needle biopsy of the soft tissue component of tumor a final diagnosis could be histopathologically determined; in 5 additional cases, due to the small amount of biopsy, a tumor grouping was able to be ascertained, a further tumor differentiation however could not be made. In 4 cases with cystoid tumors it was not possible to make a diagnosis. The deciding advantage of the new method of ultrasound guided needle biopsy presented here, in comparison to the so called blind tumor biopsy, is that by way of a picture control on the ultrasound screen exact positioning of the biopsy needle is possible. The ultrasound monitor enables one to observe the biopsy procedure, various biopsies from different sites of the soft tissue components of the tumor are possible through one biopsy canal. The new method of the ultrasound guided needle biopsy of benign and malignant soft tissue and bone tumors should however only be carried out in tumor centers.

[Giant cell tumor of bone. An analysis of 69 cases]. / Der Riesenzell-Tumor des Knochens. Eine Analyse von 69 Fällen.

1. The tumor stage of the giant cell tumor is an indicator for the prognosis and the need for adjuvant therapy. 2. Intralesional excisions without an adjuvant result in high rates of recurrence. 3. Polymethyl methyl acrylate (PMMA) largely prevents recurrences, provides stability and makes early functional treatment possible. 4. Broad excisions should only be performed in bone which is dispensable. 5. Recurrences frequently manifest themselves by pain. They can be removed intralesionally, as in primary therapy.