ATP Screening Method for Presumptive Detection of Microbiologically Contaminated Carbonated Beverages

A rapid adenosine triphosphate (ATP) screening method utilizing a vacuum-filtration procedure was developed for the presumptive detection of yeast and mold contamination in carbonated beverages. First, a baseline of ATP content was established by examining 240 retail cola samples that did not contain detectable microorganisms. Then an additional 182 retail samples were assayed for ATP and Colony Forming Units (CFU). Of these, less than 3% were presumptive-positive by the ATP method. All 182 samples were microbiologically negative for yeast. When 140 cola samples were spiked with various yeast types, more than 89% of samples were correctly identified as presumptive-positive at an arbitrary product specification level of 5 CFU/mL.     

Mechanisms of Syneresis in Rennet Curd without Mechanical Treatment

An original method for syneresis evaluation was developed, based on image analysis which enabled direct monitoring of curd shrinkage. Image analysis was employed in combination with the customary tracer method to follow the effects of cutting on curd syneresis. The two methods were then utilized to study curd syneresis in the presence of ethanol, a solvent less polar than water. Curd syneresis was reduced in the presence of diluted ethanol which led to the hypothesis that the mechanism which causes rennet curd to synerese probably relates to changes in protein conformation, essentially due to hydrophobic bonding.     

谷糠多酚对酒精性胃黏膜损伤的保护作用

目的：初步阐明谷糠多酚对酒精性胃黏膜损伤的保护作用以及具体分子机制,为谷糠多酚在饮酒人群胃黏膜损伤营养干预方面的应用提供科学依据。方法：雄性Wistar大鼠连续3 周每天灌胃50 mg/kg mb谷糠多酚,干预结束后通过灌胃体积分数75%乙醇溶液建立急性酒精性胃黏膜损伤模型;利用不同剂量（1～15 μg/mL）谷糠多酚对人胃黏膜上皮细胞（GES-1）处理24 h,继而通过1 000 mmol/L酒精继续作用12 h建立酒精性GES-1细胞损伤及干预模型;通过解剖观察大鼠胃组织形态学及病理结构,评价谷糠多酚对大鼠胃黏膜组织的保护作用;结合细胞形态变化及存活情况评价谷糠多酚对GES-1细胞的保护作用;通过测定氧化应激和细胞凋亡相关指标,评价谷糠多酚对急性酒精性胃黏膜损伤大鼠及GES-1细胞的抗氧化和抑制凋亡能力的影响。结果：谷糠多酚可以有效预防酒精引起的大鼠胃黏膜及GES-1细胞损伤,极显著缓解酒精引起的GES-1细胞活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）水平升高（P＜0.01）;同时极显著缓解大鼠胃黏膜组织和GES-1细胞中丙二醛（methane dicarboxylic aldehyde,MDA）水平升高（P＜0.01）,提高超氧化物歧化酶（superoxide dismutase,SOD）活力,明显抑制酒精引起的细胞凋亡。结论：谷糠多酚能够通过缓解酒精引起的胃黏膜上皮细胞氧化损伤从而保护胃黏膜。     

Can duplex scan arterial mapping replace contrast arteriography as the test of choice before infrainguinal revascularization?

PURPOSE: Arteriography is the diagnostic test of choice before lower extremity revascularization, because it is a means of pinpointing stenotic or occluded arteries and defining optimal sites for the origin and termination of bypass grafts. We evaluated whether a duplex ultrasound scan, used as an alternative to arteriography, could be used as a means of accurately predicting the proximal and distal anastomotic sites in patients requiring peripheral bypass grafts and, therefore, replace standard preoperative arteriography. METHODS: Forty-one patients who required infrainguinal bypass grafts underwent preoperative duplex arterial mapping (DAM). Based on these studies, an observer blinded to the operation performed predicted what operation the patient required and the best site for the proximal and distal anastomoses. These predictions were compared with the actual anastomotic sites chosen by the surgeon. RESULTS: Whether a femoropopliteal or an infrapopliteal bypass graft was required was predicted correctly by means of DAM in 37 patients (90%). In addition, both anastomotic sites in 18 of 20 patients (90%) who had femoropopliteal bypass grafts and 5 of 21 patients (24%) who had infrapopliteal procedures were correctly predicted by means of DAM. CONCLUSION: DAM is a reliable means of predicting whether patients will require femoropopliteal or infrapopliteal bypass grafts, and, when a patient requires a femoropopliteal bypass graft, the actual location of both anastomoses can also be accurately predicted. Therefore, DAM appears able to replace conventional preoperative arteriography in most patients found to require femoropopliteal reconstruction. Patients who are predicted by means of DAM to require crural or pedal bypass grafts should still undergo preoperative contrast studies to confirm these results and to more precisely locate the anastomotic sites.     

Effect of SDS on Acid Milk Coagulability

ABSTRACT To study the importance of hydrophobic interaction on the mechanism of acid milk gel formation, milk coagulation process was monitored at 30 °C in presence of various levels of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). As a function of the SDS concentration, acid milk coagulability was either enhanced or reduced. Main pH‐induced biochemical changes were preserved despite the presence of SDS (such as pH‐induced demineralization and pH‐induced protein solubilization). It could be assumed that SDS‐modified casein micelles ability to coagulate by lowering of pH might seem to be governed essentially by the level of SDS‐induced k‐casein micellar dissociation, at natural milk pH.