Combined effect of gamma radiation and heating on the destruction of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium in cook-chill roast beef and gravy

The effect of heating alone (60, 65 or 70 degrees C), heating after irradiation (0.8 kGy) and heating after irradiation and storage for 14 days at 2-3 degrees C on the destruction of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium in artifically inoculated minced cook-chill roast beef and gravy was investigated. Inoculated minced roast beef samples (5 g) were heated in Stomacher bags completely immersed in a water bath at each of the test temperatures. Survivors were enumerated and D and z values were determined for each of the pathogens. Observed thermal D values for two strains of L. monocytogenes at 60, 65 and 70 degrees C in the absence of pre-irradiation were 90.0-97.5 s, 34.0-53.0 s and 22.4-28.0 s, respectively, whereas thermal D values after pre-irradiation were 44.0-46.4 s, 15.3-16.8 s and 5.5-7.8 s at 60, 65 and 70 degrees C, respectively. This reduction in D values provides evidence for radiation-induced heat-sensitisation in L. monocytogenes. There was some evidence of heat-sensitisation of S. typhimurium at 60 degrees C, but not at either 65 or 70 degrees C. The z value also decreased as a consequence of pre-irradiation to a dose of 0.8 kGy (11.0-12.7 degrees C). The radiation-induced heat-sensitivity in L. monocytogenes was found to persist for up to 2 weeks storage at 2-3 degrees C prior to heating. As cook-chill products are intended to be reheated prior to consumption the results of the present study suggest that any L. monocytogenes present in a cook-chill product would be more easily killed during reheating if it were to be treated with a low dose of gamma radiation during manufacture.     

Tear hyperosmolarity in renal dialysis patients asymptomatic for dry eye

Plasma levels of IGF-I, IGFBP-I and IGFBP-3 were measured before and during treatment with tamoxifen up to 19+ months in 34 post-menopausal patients with advanced breast cancer. In 28 patients, pro-IGF-IIE (IGF-IIE) levels were determined and IGFBP-3 was evaluated by immunoblot in 27 patients. Tamoxifen suppressed plasma levels of IGF-I by a mean value of 25.5%-37.7% at different times. This effect was fully developed after 1-2 months of treatment. IGF-IIE was decreased by a mean value of 7.7-23.2% at different time intervals during treatment with tamoxifen, but this effect was significant after long-term treatment (19 months +) only. Plasma IGFBP-I increased by a mean value varying between 48.6% and 190.1%. Tamoxifen had no significant effect on total IGFBP-3 levels. However, patients responding to treatment had a 28% reduction in fragmentation of IGFBP-3, while patients with progressive disease had a 36% increase in fragmentation. The difference between responders and non-responders was highly significant. These findings confirm and extend previous observations regarding the effects of treatment with tamoxifen on IGF-I and IGFBP-I. The finding that patients responding to tamoxifen achieve a reduction in the ratio of fragmented to intact IGFBP-3, while patients progressing on therapy experience an increase in the IGFBP-3 fragmentation ratio, suggest that the tumor burden influences IGFBP-3 protease activity in breast- cancer patients.     

The parallel process in clinical supervision with a schizophrenic client

The authors analyze a male nurse's account of how he experienced his interaction with a female schizophrenic client during sessions of systematic clinical supervision. Notes taken during 15 sessions were analyzed by means of open coding. The analysis revealed the importance of being aware of the parallel process that occurs among the client, the primary nurse, and the unit staff.     

Respiratory electromyographic estimates of ventilatory functions in piglets

The best electromyographic (EMG) predictors of respiratory drive (P100), tidal volume (VT) and ventilation (VE) were determined from diaphragmatic (DI) and posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) EMG measures in 8-48-day-old, anesthetized piglets. Progressive hypercapnia was employed to obtain a wide range of muscle activity. A custom-designed, microcomputer-based system was employed to measure the duration, peak amplitude, rate of rise (initial slope) as well as the summed total and initial (first 100 ms) EMG activity from the DI and the PCA. For each respiratory function, the following combinations of EMG measures were identified as significant predictors using regression analyses: (1) for P100, DI amplitude, PCA initial area and PCA rate of rise; (2) for VT, DI amplitude, PCA duration and DI duration; (3) for VE, DI amplitude, DI initial area, PCA initial area, PCA rate of rise, PCA duration, DI area and DI rate of rise. Thus, whereas the traditionally employed measure of DI amplitude is an important correlate of P100, VT or VE, a complete estimate of these respiratory functions requires the inclusion of initial EMG measures and duration.     

Serum enzyme activities in the African elephant (loxodonta africana)

The serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase have been measured in the African elephant. In general, the values were broadly comparable with those of man except that alanine aminotransferase was much lower and creatine phosphokinase higher. No variation due to age, sex, season or location was observed.     

Teratogenic and embryotoxic activity of several 2,4-diaminopyrimidine derivatives

The degree of teratogenic and embryotoxic effects is dependent not only on the period of gestation and the agent dosage but also on the chemical structure of its molecule. In the series of derivatives of 2,4-diamino-5-phenylpyrimidine with different length of the alkul radical in the 6 position the preparation with ethyl group has the greatest injuring effect. Thus, the structural distinctions in the molecules of pharmacological agents are responsible for the selective toxicity of drugs in relation to mammalian embryos.