Effect of cellobiose supplementation on in vitro fermentation activity and bacterial numbers of porcine inocula.

In this in vitro study, the modified Hohenheim gas test (HGT) was applied to determine fermentation activity and bacterial composition of pig's faecal microbial inoculum using different concentrations of cellobiose. Incubation procedures included normal buffered and osmotic stress conditions (elevated medium salinity). After 24 hr of fermentation, production of gas, ammonia and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) was measured, and the gene copy numbers of total bacteria, Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Roseburia spp., Clostridium Cluster IV spp. and Enterobacteriaceae were analysed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. There was a significant reduction in gas production after 24 hr when comparing osmotic stress conditions with normal buffered conditions. Under osmotic stress, increasing cellobiose concentrations linearly increased gas production (p < .001), while ammonia, acetic acid and isobutyric acid concentrations decreased (p < .001, p = .012, p = .035 respectively). Under normal buffered conditions, Roseburia spp. gene copies linearly increased with increasing cellobiose concentrations (p = .048). Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. numbers were higher under osmotic stress (p < .001) compared to normal conditions. Results might point towards a positive impact of cellobiose supplementation on gut health especially under osmotic stress conditions.

Electrochemical recognition and quantification of cytochrome c expression in Bacillus subtilis and aerobe/anaerobe Escherichia coli using N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-para-phenylene-diamine (TMPD).

The colorimetric identification of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria in cell culture is commonly performed using the redox mediator N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-para-phenylene-diamine (TMPD) in the so-called oxidase test, which indicates the presence of bacterial cytochrome c oxidases. The presented study demonstrates the ability of electrochemistry to employ TMPD to detect bacteria and quantify the activity of bacterial cytochrome c oxidases. Cyclic voltammetry studies and chronoamperometry measurements performed on the model organism Bacillus subtilis result in a turnover number, calculated for single bacteria. Furthermore, trace amounts of cytochrome c oxidases were revealed in aerobically cultured Escherichia coli, which to our knowledge no other technique is currently able to quantify in molecular biology. The reported technique could be applied to a variety of pathogenic bacteria and has the potential to be employed in future biosensing technology.

Multicentre evaluation of performance of C-reactive protein analysis over a one-year period.

This communication deals with a longitudinal evaluation of C-reactive protein (CRP) analysis during a one-year period using a single lot of liquid control sera (3 levels) (BIOREF-CRP levels 1, 2 and 3) in different laboratories. A total of 652 sets of data were returned from 20 participating laboratories using 13 different reagent-measuring device combinations. The use of the control materials was defined in a standard operating procedure. Data was returned to the organizers on a monthly basis and questions could be asked or problems presented during the evaluation period. Although the performance of different reagents varied, the control materials were shown to be stable over the whole of the evaluation period when stored at 4-7 degrees C in a refrigerator/cold room. Typical problems were encountered, examples of which are presented here in graphical and tabular form.

Complications in laparoscopic myomectomy.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of patients with fibroids wish to retain their uterus without improving fertility. We evaluated the rate of complications in our teaching hospital and its association with patients' age. METHODS: Chart records of 351 patients were evaluated according to patients' age. RESULTS: A total of 654 fibroids were removed. Mean size of fibroids was 5.3 cm; mean duration of surgery was 113.2 min. Blood transfusion was necessary in one patient. The intraoperative complication rate was 2.6% and postoperative complications occurred in 5.7% of patients. Sonographic evaluation showed a hyperechogenic scar in 29.2%. A total of 57.1% pregnancies ended in term infants. No uterine rupture was reported. As a sign of contentment, 87% of patients would choose the same procedure again. Indication for myomectomy in elder women was more often associated with uncertain sonographic findings due to intraligamentary localization. CONCLUSION: Morbidity was low. Age had no impact. Laparoscopic myomectomy can be offered to all women.

Patients' satisfaction with laparoscopic myomectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic myomectomy offers a uterus-conserving alternative to hysterectomy for patients suffering from symptomatic myomas. The following study aimed to examine clinically relevant aspects of perceived satisfaction following laparoscopic myomectomy. METHOD: 191 women completed a 17-item questionnaire on retrospective satisfaction with their choice for the operation and with the surgical outcome (e.g., "all myomas were removed", "termination of discomfort"). A comparison was performed using questionnaire data, patients' demographical data and surgical records (e.g., duration of surgery). RESULTS: Women who trusted in their decision for the surgical procedure revealed better surgical outcome and greater satisfaction with the treatment process than those who were insecure with their choice. Age did not influence the patients' perceived satisfaction. In anticipation of the surgical outcome, patients placed stronger emphasis on tissue preservation than on their wish for a child or on the termination of discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: The high overall level of satisfaction and positive outcome in various age groups contradicts current recommendations against laparoscopic myomectomy for women over 40 years of age.