Ergebnisse, Schlussfolgerungen und Empfehlungen aus zwei Ringversuchen zum Nachweis und zur Isolierung von Shiga (Vero) Toxin bildenden Escherichia coli (STEC) aus Hackfleischproben

For quality assurance the National Reference Laboratory for Escherichia coli at the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment had organized two ring trials in 2008 and 2009 (called RV2008 and RV2009) on the detection and isolation of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from minced beef samples. There were 23 (RV2008) and 26 (RV2009) participants from institutions dealing with the microbiological control of food. For the analysis, the participants received five samples of minced meat containing STEC and four samples without STEC. By comparing the results, a significant improvement of detection sensitivity and specificity was observed for RV2009. In RV2008, only 4 (17.4%) of the participants had identified all STEC-positive samples, compared to 14 (53.8%) in RV2009. The number of false-positive findings decreased from 17.4% (RV2008) to 3.8% (RV2009). Statistically significant differences between the participating laboratories were found by determination of concordance odds ratios. Most participants used methods for detection and isolation of STEC based on protocols that are officially recommended in Germany (§64 LFGB), such as Shiga toxin (Stx) ELISA/Colony Immunoblot, or stx-PCR/DNA colony hybridization. A strikingly low sensitivity when using the Stx-ELISA as detection method was observed for RV2008. This finding could be attributed to the use of a commercial Stx-ELISA (Novitek Veterinär) that showed deficiencies for identification of Stx1 and some variants of Stx2. It is recommended to use only detection systems that have been independently evaluated for their specificity and sensitivity. Real-time stx-PCR as a new method has been increasingly used and proved to be promising. The detection of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli O157: [H7] as the most common cause of Haemorrhagic Colitis (HC) and Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS) should be improved by introduction of specific procedures (ISO16654), since only 2 of 26 participants successfully isolated this agent from a minced meat sample that contained two STEC strains.     

Lipid class separation by HPLC combined with GC FA analysis: Comparison of seed lipid compositions from different <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> L. varieties

A reliable HPLC method was established to evaluate the lipid composition of useful plants modified by breeding techniques. This study focused on the polar lipid distribution and polar lipid FA compositions of four rapeseed varieties. Structure and quantity of the distinct lipid classes were compared by HPLC using ELSD followed by a GC FA analysis. A baseline separation of 14 lipid classes could be achieved within one step by using an eluent gradient of hexane, tert-methylbutyl ether, isopropanol, acetonitrile, chloroform, triethylamine, acetic acid, and water supplemented with ammonium sulfate with a polyvinyl alcohol column. After automatic fractionation, the FA compositions of the distinct lipid classes were characterized by a subsequent complementary GC FA analysis through direct acetylchloride methylation. The rape varieties analyzed showed diversity in polar lipid content and distribution, dominated by PC, PE, PI, monoglycosyldiacylglycerols, and phytosterols. Extensive variations were detected in FA within the lipid classes of rape varieties with predominantly oleic acid, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid observed followed by palmitic acid and gondoic acid. Oleic acid was mainly connected to PC and linoleic acid to PE, whereas α-linolenic acid and γ-linolenic acid were predominantly linked to PI in all varieties.     

Synthesis, Properties, and Functionalization of Poly(ferrocenylsilane)s with Chloroalkyl Side Chains

A series of poly(ferrocenylsilane)s containing chloroalkyl side chains of increasing length is reported. By reacting fcLi₂· tmeda with Cl₂SiMeR, the corresponding [1]ferrocenophanes were prepared (2a, R=CH₂Cl; 2b, R=CH₂CH₂Cl; and 2c, R=CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl). Transition metal-catalyzed or thermal ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of these monomers yielded the polyferrocenes 3a, 3b, and 3c. The chlorine substituents of polymers 3a and 3b were unreactive toward nucleophilic substitution. In contast, polymer 3c could be reacted with 4-dimethylaminopyridine in DMF to afford the water-soluble poly(ferrocenylsilane) 4. This represents a new method for the preparation of water-soluble polyferrocenes.     

The ɛ‐Amino Group of Protein Lysine Residues Is Highly Susceptible to Nonenzymatic Acylation by Several Physiological Acyl‐CoA Thioesters

Mitochondrial enzymes implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetes, cancer, and metabolic syndrome are highly regulated by acetylation. However, mitochondrial acetyltransferases have not been identified. Here, we show that acetylation and also other acylations are spontaneous processes that depend on pH value, acyl‐CoA concentration and the chemical nature of the acyl residue. In the case of a peptide derived from carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1, the rates of succinylation and glutarylation were up to 150 times than for acetylation. These results were confirmed by using the protein substrate cyclophilin A (CypA). Deacylation experiments revealed that SIRT3 exhibits deacetylase activity but is not able to remove any of the succinyl groups from CypA, whereas SIRT5 is an effective protein desuccinylase. Thus, the acylation landscape on lysine residues might largely depend on the enzymatic activity of specific sirtuins, and the availability and reactivity of acyl‐CoA compounds.     

Scratch resistant clear coats: development of new testing methods for improved coatings

More and more car manufacturers are now demanding clear coats with improved scratch resistance from their paint suppliers. Some motor companies have developed their own tests, some have chosen a test developed by a paint supplier and others are still looking for their optimum test. The opinion prevails that there should be one test which covers all aspects of realistic damage. However, microscopic photographs and reflow experiments show that two kinds of scratches occur in reality, abrasive as well as non-abrasive, renewable ones. Different standard clear coat systems have different sensitivities to both scratch types. In the scratch tests the rating of the clear coats is divergent, because the ratio of both sorts of scratches differs. We have developed a set of two tests, where each test mainly generates one scratch type. These tests, together with physico-chemical measurements (glass transition onset temperature T_g, laser optical profile scanning, indentation depths) lead to a deeper insight into scratch phenomena. One way to develop a clear coat which is resistant against all kinds of scratching damage is described.     

Electrophoretic analysis of the mitochondrial outer membrane rupture induced by permeability transition

A pathological increase of the permeability of the mitochondrial membranes may culminate in the irreversible rupture of the mitochondrial outer membrane. Such a permeability transition is lethal because it results in the release of death-inducing molecules from mitochondria and/or metabolic failure. Current methods to assess this outer membrane damage are mostly indirect or scarcely representative of the overall mitochondrial population. Here we present an analytical and preparative approach using free flow electrophoresis to directly distinguish rat liver mitochondria that have undergone the permeability transition from unaffected organelles or from organelles that are damaged to a minor degree. Mitochondrial populations, which considerably differ in outer membrane integrity or cytochrome c content, were separated by this means. We further show that the relative abundance of each population depends on the dose of the permeability transition inducer and the duration of the treatment time. Finally, we have employed this approach to investigate the impairment of mitochondria that were isolated from livers subjected to ischemia/reperfusion damage.     

Mehr Nutzen als Schaden?

Background: Clinical research involving human subjects must be ethically legitimatised by being scientifically valid, satisfying legal norms, and adhering to basic ethical requirements such as informed consent and appropriate risk-benefit ratios. Autonomous institutional review boards (IRB) support researchers in meeting these demands. Methods: We propose and test a systematic approach to the ethical analysis of risks and potential benefits in clinical research involving human subjects. The scheme was applied on all study protocols from the year 2006 presented to the IRB of our medical faculty. Results: 46?% of the 206 analyzed protocols promise some potential direct benefit to study participants. 12?% of the planned research projects offer the chance of benefit for future patients with the same demographic and clinical characteristics as the study participants (??group-benefit??). The reminder of the protocols (42?%) reveal potential benefit only for medicine and science through gaining knowledge of clinical, social, or scientific value. More than minimal risks for research participants were identified in about 53?% of the studies. Our ethical analysis and evaluation resulted in 33 out of 206 protocols (16?%) with an unfavourable and hardly justifiable risk-benefit ratio. Conclusion: The developed taxonomy together with our conceptual framework for comparing and balancing potential research benefit and harm can increase the transparency and facilitate the communication between researchers and IRB members. Clear guidance for the IRBs supports the standardisation and harmonisation of ethical review, advice, and approval procedures.