Biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus strains and their control by selected phytochemicals

Biofilm formation by 30 Staphylococcus aureus dairy isolates and their control by phytochemicals were investigated. The majority of strains were biofilm positive by phenotypic analysis. The nuc and icaA genes were present in 30 and 27 strains, respectively. In addition, 13 strains were positive for all nuc, clfA, fnbA and icaA genes. The antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of citral, cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, farnesol, limonene and terpinen‐4‐ol were also evaluated for seven strains. It was shown that the use of farnesol, cinnamaldehyde or terpinen‐4‐ol at a concentration of 2 mg/mL could be at least 80% effective on S. aureus strains and their biofilms.     

Toxic and essential metals in Cyprinus carpio,Carassius gibelio,and Luciobarbus esocinus tissues from Keban Dam Lake,Pertek, Turkey

In various tissues of Luciobarbus esocinus, Cyprinus carpio, and Carassius gibelio which were taken from Keban Dam Lake Pertek region’s freshwaters, Turkey in January–February 2016, concentrations of mercury, nickel, lead, cadmium, arsenic, manganese, chromium, and cobalt were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave digestion. In fish muscle mean chromium concentration (0.614 mg kg^?1 in C. carpio muscle) was higher than the maximum limits as set by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organisation. Additionally, mean concentration of lead (0.380 mg kg^?1 in C. gibelio muscle) was higher compared to the maximum limit as set by Turkish Standards. Furthermore, in the assessment of the potential health risk, estimated weekly and daily intake of all metals were considerably below permissible tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) and permissible tolerable daily intake values. As a result, consumption of these fish species from this region does not pose a problem on human health.     

Isolation of Porphyromonas gingivalis and detection of immunoglobulin A specific to fimbrial antigen in gingival crevicular fluid

The present study evaluated the prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis and the correlation between the bacterial culture method and the detection of immunoglobulin A (IgA) specific to the P. gingivalis fimbrial antigen in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). P. gingivalis was isolated from 78.3% of subgingival plaque samples obtained from active sites and 34.7% of those from inactive sites of periodontal patients. P. gingivalis was isolated from only 4.7% of healthy subjects (control group). Immunoglobulins specific to the P. gingivalis fimbrial antigen were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall agreement between the results of the P. gingivalis culture method and the results of specific IgA detection in periodontal patients was 71.7% for active sites and 58.7% for inactive sites. IgA specific to P. gingivalis was absent in GCF from all of the sites of healthy subjects. The results suggest that P. gingivalis is associated with the local production of specific IgA. The detection of IgA antibodies specific to P. gingivalis in GCF by ELISA may be used as a predictive parameter to reveal the early phase of the activation of recurrent periodontal infections.     

Effects of Storage Humidity on the Mechanical, Microstructural, and Drug Release Properties of Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose-Based Hydrophilic Matrix Tablets

The effects of storage humidity on the properties of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMc)-based hydrophilic matrix tablets were investigated. Hydrochlorothiazide tablets prepared with HPMCs of different thickening capacities were stored for 6 months (a) at a relative humidity corresponding to the prestorage equilibrium moisture content of the HPMCs, or (b) at a higher relative humidity. Only tablets stored at the higher humidity showed significant changes in properties, indicating that the observed changes (reduced crushing strength, increased total porosity, and increased mean pore diameter) were due to water uptake. All changes were completed within 1 month of storage. Drug release properties were unaffected, even after 6 months. Effectively identical results were obtained regardless of whether the HPMC variety used had a nominal viscosity of 4,000 cP or 100,000 cP.     

Simultaneous gate and vent location optimization in liquid composite molding processes

In liquid composite molding processes the resin is injected into the mold cavity, which contains pre-placed reinforcement fabrics, through openings known as gates while the displaced air leaves the mold through openings called as vents. Gate and vent locations determine process outputs such as fill time, pressure requirements and whether the fabrics will be saturated entirely, a requirement for the success of the mold filling operation. Disturbances such as racetracking, in which the resin flows faster along the edges of the mold, further complicate the gate and vent selection process. In this study, a cascaded optimization algorithm, which is created by integration of branch and bound search and map-based exhaustive search, is proposed for simultaneous gate and vent location optimization in the presence of racetracking. Three case studies are presented to demonstrate usefulness of this methodology and the results are validated in a Virtual Manufacturing Environment.     

Approaching supervision from a developmental perspective: The counselor complexity model.

Presents a model of counselor supervision that conceptualizes the training process as a sequence of identifiable stages through which the trainee progresses. The progress of the trainee is described from the entry level counselor through the advanced master counselor stage. Characteristics of trainees at each of the 4 levels of the model are discussed, as are the appropriate supervision environments that encourage development to the next level. The supervisor skills of discrimination and the creating of environments are discussed in relation to trainee characteristics and the appropriate environments for the supervision process. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Encapsulation of Food Ingredients Using Nanoliposome Technology

Nanoliposomes are microscopic vesicles composed of phospholipid bilayers entrapping one or more aqueous compartments. Their unique properties have triggered numerous applications in several scientific and technological fields. Nanoliposomes can provide controlled release of various bioactive agents, including food ingredients and nutraceuticals, at the right place and the right time. Therefore, they increase the effectiveness and cellular uptake of the encapsulated material. Reactive, sensitive, or volatile additives (vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants, slimming agents, etc.) can be turned into stable ingredients using nanoliposomes. This article reviews various aspects of nanoliposomes including currently available preparation methods, and their application in food technology.     

Improved PEM fuel cell performance with hydrophobic catalyst layers

Flooding of catalyst layers is one of the major issues, which effects performance of low temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Rendering catalyst layers hydrophobic one may improve the performance of PEMFC depending on Pt percentage in the catalyst and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) loading on the electrode. In this study, effect of hydrophobicity in catalyst layers on performance has been investigated by comparing performances of membrane electrode assemblies prepared with 48% Pt/C. Ultrasonic coating technique was used to manufacture highly efficient electrodes. Power density at 0.45 V increased by the addition of PTFE, from 0.95 to 1.01 W/cm² with H₂/O₂ feed; while it slightly increased from 0.52 W/cm² to 0.53 W/cm² with H₂/Air feed. Addition of PTFE to catalyst layers while keeping Pt loading constant, enhanced performance providing improved water management. Kinetic activity increased by decreasing Nafion loading from 0.37 mg/cm² to 0.25 mg/cm² while introducing PTFE (0.12 mg/cm²) to the electrode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results proved that charge transfer resistance decreased with hydrophobic catalyst layers for H₂/O₂ feed. This is attributed to enhanced water management due to PTFE presence.