Synergist effect of sucrose fatty acid esters on nisin inhibition of gram-positive bacteria

Nisin in combination with the sucrose fatty acid esters, sucrose palmitate (P-1570 and P-1670) or sucrose stearate (S-1570 and S-1670) was tested against a range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Initial liquid culture investigation showed that the sugar ester P-1670 resulted in a synergist enhancement of the bacteriostatic activity of nisin against Gram-positive bacteria and not Gram-negative bacteria. Some enhancement of the bactericidal activity of nisin against Listeria monocytogenes was also observed. This increased nisin inhibitory effect was confirmed on solid media using plates with gradients of pH and NaCl. Synergism was observed with all four sucrose fatty acid esters, which enhanced the antimicrobial activity of nisin against several strains of L. monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus (both cells and spores), Lactobacillus plantarum and Staphylococcus aureus. The combination of nisin and the sucrose fatty acid esters showed no inhibition of Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella enteritidis, Salm. typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa).     

Pediatric tuberculosis in rural South Africa--value of directly observed therapy

The case is reported of a 27-year-old patient who developed multiple recurrences of a carcinoma arising from richly stromal pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland over 13 years. Originally the tumor was classified as a benign pleomorphic adenoma because there were no cytological characteristics of malignancy. Later on the diagnosis had to be modified to that of a carcinoma arising from a pleomorphic adenoma because of the infiltrating growth pattern of the tumor. A multicentric local recurrence and metastases on the left side of the neck supported the correct diagnosis. This case demonstrates that, beside the classic cytological criteria of malignancy invasion and penetration of the capsule can be decisive for the diagnosis of malign transformed pleomorphic adenoma. Treatment and prognosis of salivary gland tumors assume a clear determination of their diguity. The unusual course in this case of a pleomorphic adenoma originally diagnosed as benign demonstrates the importance of regular follow-up.     

Application of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to fracture studies of ferritic steels

The application of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to fracture studies has provided a new method for investigating the crystallography of fracture surfaces. The crystallographic indices of cleavage planes can be measured both directly from the fracture surface and indirectly from metallographic sections perpendicular to the plane of the adjoining fracture surfaces. The results of direct individual cleavage facet plane orientation measurements are presented for carbon–manganese (C–Mn) and low‐alloy Mn–Mo–Ni (similar to ASTM A553 type‐B). Pressure vessel steel weld metals, obtained from fracture surfaces of Charpy impact test specimens fractured at various test temperatures and for an ultra‐low carbon steel (Fe–0.002C–0.058P) fractured at –196 °C by impact. In addition to the direct measurement from the fracture surface, cleavage facet orientation measurements for the ultra‐low carbon steel were complemented by the results obtained from the metallographic sections. Fractographic observations revealed that cleavage fracture is accommodated by a microvoid coalescence fracture micromechanism, which was induced by decohesion of second phase particles (inclusions). The correlation between the direct and indirect methodologies shows that the cleavage facet planes are dominated by the {001} plane orientations, and indicated that even when information concerning the full five degrees of freedom is inaccessible, the cleavage facet plane could still be determined. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of direct orientation measurements from the fracture surface and indirectly by a destructive sectioning technique are discussed.     

Direct antagonism of ethanol''s effects on GABA(A) receptors by increased atmospheric pressure

We investigated hepatic blood flow, O2 exchange and metabolism in porcine endotoxic shock (Control, n = 8; Endotoxin, n = 10) with administration of hydroxyethylstarch to maintain arterial pressure (MAP)>60 mmHg. Before and 12, 18 and 24 h after starting continuous i.v. endotoxin we measured portal venous and hepatic arterial blood flow, intracapillary haemoglobin O2 saturation (Hb-O2%) of the liver surface and arterial, portal and hepatic venous lactate, pyruvate, glycerol and alanine concentrations. Glucose production rate was derived from the plasma isotope enrichment during infusion of [6,6-2H2]-glucose. Despite a sustained 50% increase in cardiac output endotoxin caused a progressive, significant fall in MAP. Liver blood flow significantly increased, but endotoxin affected neither hepatic O2 delivery and uptake nor mean intracapillary Hb-O2% and Hb-O2% frequency distributions. Endotoxin nearly doubled endogenous glucose production rate while hepatic lactate, alanine and glycerol uptake rates progressively decreased significantly. The lactate uptake rate even became negative (P<0.05 vs Control). Endotoxin caused portal and hepatic venous pH to fall significantly concomitant with significantly increased arterial, portal and hepatic venous lactate/pyruvate ratios. During endotoxic shock increased cardiac output achieved by colloid infusion maintained elevated liver blood flow and thereby macro- and microcirculatory O2 supply. Glucose production rate nearly doubled with complete dissociation of hepatic uptake of glucogenic precursors and glucose release. Despite well-preserved capillary oxygenation increased lactate/pyruvate ratios reflecting impaired cytosolic redox state suggested deranged liver energy balance, possibly due to the O2 requirements of gluconeogenesis.     

Effects of a prostaglandin E1 analogue, misoprostol, on renal function in dogs receiving nephrotoxic doses of gentamicin

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the prostaglandin E1 analogue, misoprostol, could preserve renal function in dogs receiving nephrotoxic doses of gentamicin. ANIMALS: 12 (6/group) healthy sexually intact male dogs. PROCEDURE: All dogs were given high doses of gentamicin (10 mg/kg of body weight, i.v., q 8 h, for 8 consecutive days). Six dogs (treatment group) received misoprostol (3 microgram/kg, p.o., q 8 h for the duration of the study) and 6 dogs (control group) received vehicle (1 capsule, p.o., q 8 h). Renal function was assessed before treatment (day 0) and on days 3, 6, 9, and 11 after initiation of treatment by measurement of serum biochemical variables, urine specific gravity, and exogenous creatinine clearance. Serum electrolyte and protein concentrations and presence of proteinuria, glycosuria, and cylindruria were also determined. At the end of the study, renal histopathologic changed were evaluated. RESULTS: Dogs receiving misoprostol had significant reduction in exogenous creatinine clearance with time, compared with dogs receiving vehicle (P = 0.0264). Dogs receiving misoprostol tended to develop more severe azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, and renal histopathologic changes; however, results were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: Misoprostol (3 microgram/kg, p.o., q 8 h) did not preserve renal function and may have exacerbated gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicosis in this group of dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Supplementation of vasodilatory prostanoids may exacerbate renal dysfunction in dogs receiving high doses of gentamicin.     

Alteration of an intersubunit contact in hemoglobin variants: comparative study of modifications at position alpha 126 Asp (H9)

Four human hemoglobin variants have already been described at position alpha 126 (H9), which is normally occupied by an aspartate: Hb Montefiore (-->Tyr), Hb Tarrant (-->Asn), Hb Fukutomi (-->Val), Hb Sassari (-->His). An additional variant, Hb West One (alpha 126 (H9) Asp-->Gly) is herein described. Aspartate alpha 126 (H9) is involved in a set of hydrogen bonds and salt bridges located at the C-terminal portion of the alpha-chains and of the C-helix of the beta-chains, which are broken in the oxy conformer, providing one of the most important sources of the difference in free energy between the T- and R-state in hemoglobin. A comparative study of four of these alpha 126 Hb variants is presented. An identical degree of alteration of the oxygen binding properties (increased oxygen affinity and decreased cooperativity) was found in all cases, when measured under standard experimental conditions (pH 7.2, 0.1 M NaCl). In contrast, the effect of L345 (a derivative of bezafibrate, which is a specific alpha-chain binding effector) on oxygen binding to Hb differed from one variant to another. When a bulky Tyr or His residue occupied the alpha 126 (H9) position, little effect of L345 was observed. Conversely, when this position was occupied by a residue of smaller size (Gly or Asn), normal heterotropic effects were observed. Molecular graphic modelling indicates that two classes of three-dimensional structure modifications may occur.     

Positive test strategies and confirmatory retrieval processes in the evaluation of personality feedback.

Cognitive-response analysis was carried out to investigate people's acceptance of personality feedback. In 3 studies with 223 male and female college students 18–38 years old, participants generated more confirming than disconfirming evidence for personality feedback. Availability of confirmatory evidence was found to be closely related to the rated accuracy of the feedback. Both rated accuracy and amount of confirmatory evidence were greater for general than specific and for true than false feedback. Analyses of covariance showed that availability of confirmatory evidence accounted for the effects of general versus specific and true versus false feedback on rated accuracy. Findings are discussed in terms of the use of positive test strategies and the influence of confirmatory evidence retrieval on working self-concepts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)