Spoilage characteristics of ground beef with added lactic acid bacteria and rosemary oleoresin packaged in a modified-atmosphere package and displayed at abusive temperatures.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can reduce Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. in ground beef during storage. Furthermore, the addition of rosemary oleoresin (RO), a natural antioxidant, to ground beef has been shown to increase shelf life and is commonly used in modified-atmosphere packaged (MAP) ground beef. This study evaluated the effects of LAB and RO treatment on the shelf life and stability of MAP ground beef displayed at abusive (10°C) temperatures for 36 h. Subjective and objective sensory analyses were conducted to determine spoilage endpoints. Trained and consumer panel responses and Hunter lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) values were not affected (P = 0.62, 0.66, 0.45) by LAB addition, although RO inclusion improved (P < 0.05) lean color. Ground beef with LAB and RO had significantly less (P < 0.0001) thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values than control ground beef, indicating decreased lipid oxidation. Additionally, RO inclusion reduced (P < 0.0001) off odors, as determined by trained and consumer odor panelists. Overall, the addition of LAB did not negatively affect beef color, odor, or oxidative rancidity, suggesting that LAB can be added to ground beef in MAP packaging as a processing intervention without detrimentally affecting shelf life or stability.

Shelf life and stability traits of traditionally and modified atmosphere packaged ground beef patties treated with lactic acid bacteria, rosemary oleoresin, or both prior to retail display.

Previous research indicates that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can inhibit pathogenic bacteria. This research evaluated effects of LAB inclusion on the shelf life of traditionally packaged ground beef patties; as well as the effects and possible interaction of LAB and rosemary oleoresin (RO) on the stability of high oxygen MAP ground beef during display. In both package types, trained and consumer evaluations indicated no effect (P>0.05) of LAB on lean color and off-odor. Display affected trained and consumer sensory evaluations and indicated declined stability over time. Thiobarbituric acid values were lower for traditionally packaged ground beef with LAB (P<0.05) and MAP ground beef with RO or RO and LAB (P<0.05). Overall, LAB had no effect on the shelf life and stability of traditionally or high-oxygen MAP packaged ground beef patties. Therefore, utilization of LAB in ground beef to reduce pathogenic bacteria is viable without alteration of spoilage indicators.

Spoilage characteristics of traditionally packaged ground beef with added lactic acid bacteria displayed at abusive temperatures.

Growth of pathogenic organisms such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. can be inhibited in ground beef through the addition of certain lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB; Lactobacillus acidophilus NP51, Lactobacillus crispatus NP35, Pediococcus acidilactici, and Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis). This study evaluated the effects of LAB inclusion on the organoleptic and biochemical properties typically associated with spoilage in traditionally packaged ground beef displayed at abusive (10°C) temperatures for 36 h. Trained and untrained panelist evaluations of lean color and off-odor, as well as instrumental color analyses, did not indicate an effect on spoilage traits due to LAB utilization (P > 0.05). However, display length affected each variable independently and was indicative of decreased stability and acceptability as display time (h) increased (P < 0.05). Thiobarbituric acid values were decreased for ground beef with added LAB (P < 0.05), but likely can be related to bacterial degradation of lipid oxidation by-products because no reduction in organoleptic traits due to oxidation was noted between treatments. Overall, LAB did not adversely influence the spoilage characteristics of traditionally packaged ground beef displayed at abusive temperatures for up to 36 h. Furthermore, biochemical and sensory indicators of spoilage were present for all treatments at the conclusion of display. Therefore, LAB can be added to ground beef in traditional packaging as a processing intervention without masking or delaying the expected spoilage characteristics.

Phonological short-term memory and central executive processing in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with/without dyslexia--evidence of cognitive overlap.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with/without dyslexia was investigated using a double dissociation design. Neuropsychological performance representing the core deficits of the two disorders was measured in order to test the common deficit hypothesis. Phonological short-term memory, morpho-syntactical language, and central executive processing (manipulating and switching) tasks were administered to four groups of 10-14 year old children (ADHD-only n = 20, dyslexia-only n = 20, ADHD+dyslexia n = 20, and controls n = 19). Comparisons of performance on these tasks were carried out using 2 (ADHD yes/no) x 2 (dyslexia yes/no) factorial analyses of variance and covariance. Significant main effects were found for dyslexia (language processing functions) and for ADHD (EF switching). In the case of the EF manipulating a main effect for both dyslexia and ADHD was revealed. Effect sizes of mean performance indicated that all three impaired groups shared a common deficit in working memory which could reflect a cognitive overlap partly explaining the high rate of co-occurring dyslexia and ADHD.

[Normal values and evaluation of the German parents' version of Strengths and DIfficulties Questionnaire (SDQ): Results of a representative field study]. / Normierung und Evaluation der deutschen Elternversion des Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ): Ergebnisse einer repräsentativen Felderhebung.

OBJECTIVE: The (SDQ) is a short questionnaire which addresses positive and negative behavioural attributes of children or adolescents. Being rated by parents or teachers, or as an equivalent self-report version, the 25 SDQ items were designed to include both strengths and difficulties. Although several reports have demonstrated the validity of the German SDQ, normative data have not yet been established. METHODS: In a nationwide representative field study, parent ratings were completed for 930 children and adolescents aged between 6 and 16 years. Following verification of the scale structure by factor analysis, the observed distributions of scores were used to define normal, borderline, and abnormal score ranges. Possible effects of gender, age, and social class were also investigated. RESULTS: Factor analysis yielded an exact replication of the original scales. Several associations with gender, age, and social status attained statistical significance, but cut-off scores for the five subscales remained stable in different subgroups. Age- and sex-specific bandings for the total problem score reflected small differences between homogeneous subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: After replication and confirming the original scale factors, the availability of normative data further enhances the diagnostic value of the SDQ and facilitates future validation studies. Present evidence suggests that the SDQ may serve as a useful and economical screening measure, and in many other clinical and research settings.

Abnormal early stages of task stimulus processing in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder--evidence from event-related gamma oscillations.

OBJECTIVES: Attention-related differences in early stages of stimulus processing were assessed in healthy controls and children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by analyzing phase-locked gamma band (31-63 Hz) responses to auditory stimuli in a selective-attention task. METHODS: A total of 28 children aged 9-12 years (ADHD and matched healthy controls) pressed a button in response to each target stimulus presented at the attended side (right or left). Auditory gamma band responses (GBRs) within 0-120 ms were analyzed at 8 electrodes with wavelet transform. Effects of attended channel, stimulus type, and group were evaluated for GBR power and phase-locking. RESULTS: For both groups, GBRs had a frontal-central distribution, were significantly larger and more strongly phase-locked to target than to non-target stimuli, and did not differentiate the attended from the unattended channel. ADHD children produced larger and more strongly phase-locked GBRs than controls only to right-side stimuli, irrespective of whether these were the attended or the ignored stimuli. CONCLUSIONS: The association between auditory GBR and motor task stimulus in children suggests that phase-locked gamma oscillations may reflect processes of sensory-motor integration. ADHD-related deviations of GBRs indicate that early mechanisms of auditory stimulus processing are altered in ADHD, presumably as a result of impaired motor inhibition.

Gamma band response in children is related to task-stimulus processing.

The present study described the functional characteristics of early phase-locked electroencephalographic gamma band (30-60 Hz) responses (GBRs) in 9- to 12-year-old healthy children. GBRs were elicited in an auditory selective-attention task. Target stimuli required motor responding when presented to the right or to the left (attended side). Effects of stimulus type relevance and attended side were evaluated for GBR power and phase-locking within 0-120 ms. GBRs in children were frontally distributed, were larger and better phase-locked to targets relative to non-targets, but did not depend on the attended side. These results demonstrate that the auditory GBR is related to task-stimulus processing and imply that early target selection in children is guided by a sensory or sensorimotor preparatory set, rather than by an internal attentional focus to the side of stimulation.

Quantitative and qualitative aspects of obsessive-compulsive behaviour in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder compared with tic disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Within the framework of associated psychopathology in child psychiatric disorders, this study focused on quantitative and qualitative aspects of obsessive-compulsive behaviour (OCB) in both attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and chronic tic disorder/Tourette's disorder (TD). METHOD: Forty-two healthy controls, 41 children with ADHD and 38 children with TD, aged 9-13 years, were investigated using the Leyton Obsessional Inventory--Child Version (LOI-CV), the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and an expert-rated structured parent interview to reflect a cross-informant view of OCB. RESULTS: Unexpectedly, self-reports of children with ADHD rather than children with TD showed the highest OCB scores in the LOI-CV. Qualitatively, ADHD-related OCB focused on the item subsets concerning 'dirt and contamination', 'repetition', 'overconscientiousness', and 'hoarding'. In the parent-rated CBCL, similar levels of OCB were reported for ADHD and TD patients. In contrast, only children with TD showed clinically relevant OCB according to expert ratings. CONCLUSION: Not only young TD patients but also children with ADHD should be investigated and monitored carefully for quantitative and qualitative aspects of OCB comorbidity.

Comparing the German versions of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-Deu) and the Child Behavior Checklist.

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a brief behavioural screening questionnaire that can be completed in about 5 minutes by the parents and teachers of 4-16 year olds. The scores of the English version correlate well with those of the considerably longer Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The present study compares the German versions of the questionnaires. Both SDQ and CBCL were completed by the parents of 273 children drawn from psychiatric clinics (N = 163) and from a community sample (N = 110). The children from the community sample also filled in the SDQ self-report and the Youth Self Report (YSR). The children from the clinic sample received an ICD-10 diagnosis if applicable. Scores from the parent and self-rated SDQ and CBCL/YSR were highly correlated and equally able to distinguish between the community and clinic samples, with the SDQ showing significantly better results regarding the total scores. They were also equally able to distinguish between disorders within the clinic sample, the only significant difference being that the SDQ was better able to differentiate between children with and without hyperactivity-inattention. The study shows that like the English originals, the SDQ-Deu and the German CBCL are equally valid for most clinical and research purposes.

Frontocortical activity in children with comorbidity of tic disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Comorbidity of tic disorder (TD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children is common but not fully understood. Thus we investigated the effect of TD and ADHD on the amplitude of the postimperative negative variation (PINV) in children with combined tic + hyperactivity symptoms (TD + HA). PINV was chosen as an indicator of frontal lobe functioning that is closely related to self-regulation of behavior. PINVs of four groups of children (healthy controls, pure TD, pure ADHD, and combined TD + HA; total number 43) were elicited in an auditory warned reaction task in three conditions (control = CC, loss-of-control = LoCC, and lack-of-control = LaCC) at midfrontal (Fz) and midcentral (Cz) leads of the scalp. Effects of TD and ADHD were revealed only in the noncontrol conditions, being independent in the LaCC, but interactive in the LoCC. Thus, the additive model of psychopathological classification concerning the comorbidity of TD and ADHD was only partially supported by the observed pattern of psychophysiological results.

[Rehabilitation of partially edentulous cases with telescope crowns: modified, fully veneered tapered crowns]. / Versorgung des Lückengebisses mit Doppelkronen--Modifizierte vollverblendete Konuskronen.

Telescope crowns are well established as prosthodontic retainers for removable partial dentures. After a short review of the advantages and disadvantages of telescope crowns, the specifies of tapered crowns are described. By the use of appropriate tooth preparation and the fabrication of modified, fully resin-veneered tapered crowns, it is possible to improve on the crown contours and the aesthetics provided by conventional tapered crowns. Periodontal prophylactic conditions are also considered.

Epidemiology and course of psychiatric disorders in school-age children--results of a longitudinal study.

In an epidemiological longitudinal study, 356 out of 399 8-yr old children were re-examined at age 13. Prevalence rates for psychiatric disorders of about 16% remained constant during adolescence. The course of emotional disorders proved very promising, while that of conduct disorders was extremely unfavorable. Remission of psychiatric disorders was also influenced by an improved psychosocial environment within the family. Development of disorders in initially healthy children was related to prior learning disabilities and stressful life events. More effective approaches in the treatment of conduct disorders as well as early detection of detrimental familial conditions and learning disabilities are called for.

[Effects of the mode of ceramization on the compressive strength of Dicor crowns. A laboratory study]. / Einfluss des Keramisiermodus auf die Druckbelastbarkeit von Dicor-Kronen. Eine Laborstudie.

The critical compressive strength of cast glass-ceramic samples with a standardised shape was evaluated as a function of the ceramization temperature. The maximum critical compressive stress was obtained under conditions prescribed by the manufacturer. After under- and overceramization by only 6 degrees C, as well as after repeated ceramization, the critical compressive strength was decreased significantly (p less than or equal to 0.05) by about 13-24%.

Evaluating the significance of minimal brain dysfunction--results of an epidemiological study.

An epidemiological field investigation of 399 8-yr-old children was unable to support basic assumptions of the clinical MBD concept (existence of a homogeneous syndrome, specific psychopathology, evidence of increased perinatal risks). Using a multi-level case definition procedure and factor-analytic data aggregation, nearly complete independence was found among the diagnostical levels of neurophysiology, neuropsychology and specific skills. Main results were replicated after the application of several alternative models of case definition and were further confirmed by data from a clinical sample. Present findings emphasize the necessity to reconsider the concept of MBD and its practical consequences.

Do event-related potentials (ERPs) reflect right hemisphere's processing of semantics?

To test the right hemisphere's functional difference in relation to semantically related vs. semantically unrelated linguistic tasks we investigated 25 young right-handed healthy adults. A S1-S2 design was used. At S1 one word was presented binaurally, at S2 two words dichotically. S1-S2 was composed of sentence-like (syntagmatic) and nonsentence-like (paradigmatic) word sequences with and without semantic relations. As control trials we used pure tones and modulated noise. The EEG was recorded over frontal, central and temporoparietal areas of both hemispheres. Referring to semantics it could be shown only that semantic relations between words increased the amount of recalled words. Additionally, ERPs reflected: modes of presentation (binaural vs. dichotic) processing of different linguistic categories (e.g., syntagmatic vs. paradigmatic) and frontocentrally focused neuronal processes of both hemispheres before language production.