Efficacy,predictability and safety of long-term orthokeratology: An 18-year follow-up study

PurposeTo determine the efficacy, predictability and safety of long-term orthokeratology in children and adults.MethodsCase histories of 300 orthokeratology patients (596 eyes; 34.3% children; 65.7% adults) were reviewed to collect information on demographics, corneal and refractive parameters, visual acuity, residual refraction and adverse effects. Predictability was defined as the percentage of eyes with absolute values of spherical equivalent refraction ≤ 0.5 D of emmetropia, and efficacy as the ratio of post-orthokeratology uncorrected and pre-orthokeratology corrected distance visual acuity.ResultsMedian duration of treatment was 37 and 28.5 months in children and adults, respectively (p = 0.022). During the first year, 17.2% of children and 33% of adults ceased lens wear (p < 0.001). For children and adults with a successful ortho-k treatment of at least one year of duration, 88.7% and 95.9% of eyes had a predictable refractive outcome, and efficacy was 0.98 and 1.01, respectively. A larger percentage of children (65.7%) were free of complications than of adults (55.4%) (p = 0.015). One event of microbial keratitis occurred in adults (6.8 cases per 10,000 patient-years) and none in children. Corneal staining was the most frequent complication, with a higher incidence in adults (p = 0.007) and in higher myopia (p < 0.001), higher anterior corneal eccentricity (p = 0.019) and smaller anterior horizontal radius (p = 0.027).ConclusionOrthokeratology is a safe and predictable long-term procedure in children and adults, with a low incidence of serious adverse effects. Corneal staining episodes are relatively frequent throughout the course of the treatment, thus highlighting the relevance of education of experienced users.     

A review of kinetic models for inactivating microorganisms and enzymes by pulsed electric field processing

As a non-thermal technology, pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment can be utilized in food processing and bioengineering for the inactivation of microorganisms and quality-degrading enzymes, as well as the retention of health-related compounds and the extension of shelf-life. Development of kinetic models that fit the degree of microbial inactivation and the loss of food quality is important to improve the efficiency of PEF treatment. The current review aims to provide an overview of the kinetic models used by PEF for microbial inactivation in liquid foods. Kinetics modeling for the destruction of microorganisms, inactivation of enzymes, retention of health-related compounds, and extension of shelf-life are discussed. Additionally, the fitting accuracy of several models, as well as issues that need further investigation, are discussed to promote further understanding and the deployment of PEF technology.     

Diversity and functional characteristics of lactic acid bacteria from traditional kefir grains

Traditional kefir grains were collected from distinct parts of Turkey, and their microbial profile was determined. A wide bacterial biota was observed formed by distinct lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in which Lactococcus lactis strains appeared to be dominant. Yeast species were also identified in kefir grains. Significant levels of antifungal and antibacterial activities were monitored in kefir isolates. All tested LAB produced an exopolysaccharide (EPS) containing glucose and galactose, and some strains formed a fructan‐type EPS. Importantly, low levels of antibiotic resistance were observed among the kefir isolates.     

Evaluation of red bean protein [Vigna angularis] isolate on rheological properties of pork myofibrillar protein gels induced by microbial transglutaminase

The effects of 1% red bean protein isolate (RBPI) on the gel properties of myofibrillar protein (MP) in various levels of microbial transglutaminase (MTG: 0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, & 1%) were evaluated. The cooking yield (CY) of the MP gels decreased with increasing MTG level, while the addition of RBPI improved the CY of the MP gels. Gel strength (GS) was also improved when RBPI was incorporated into the MP gels containing higher than 0.5% of MTG. The addition of MTG and RBPI was slightly changed the endothermic peak temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the three‐dimensional structure of MP with RBPI alone or in combined with MTG was compacted as compared to the control. Based on the results, RBPI could be functioned as a substrate for MTG (0.5–1.0%) and a water binder of meat protein gel mediated by MTG.     

甘蔗专用生物有机肥的应用

甘蔗施用豫园甘蔗专用生物有机肥能显著促进甘蔗生长,不同处理间分蘖率、株高、茎数差异均达极显著水平,不同处理间茎径差异达显著性水平。施用豫园高浓度生物有机肥的蔗茎产量为108705kg/hm2、含糖量为18015kg/hm2,比灭活后的94650kg/hm2和14745kg/hm2、常规施肥的96840kg/hm2和16155kg/hm2、空白施肥的51510kg/hm2和8070kg/hm2分别增产增糖14055kg/hm2和3270kg/hm2(增产率14.8%,增糖率22.1%)、11865kg/hm2和1860kg/hm2(增产率12.3%,增糖率11.5%)、57195kg/hm2和9945kg/hm2(增产率111.0%,增糖率116.17%),差异均达1%显著水平。     

In situ identification of microorganisms in biofilm communities

Diverse microorganisms form complex microbial communities and usually exist in biofilm communities in both natural environments and engineered systems such as a wastewater treatment process. However, the conventional approach to investigate microbial ecology has not contributed to the understanding and clarification of the structure and function of biofilm communities. Some effective methods have been developed to investigate phylogenetic affiliations, metabolic activities and genetic activities in biofilm communities at the single-cell level. These techniques have been contributing to a better understanding of the spatial organization of biofilm communities and activities in engineered systems. However, further effort is needed to set out the general rules governing community development in biofilm communities and to advance the process performance of engineered systems. This review describes advances and limitations in methodology, particularly focusing on fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and related techniques and the application of these methods to nitrifying biofilms in wastewater treatment processes.     

宁波市小水产品中副溶血性弧菌的血清型、毒力及耐药性研究

目的了解宁波市小水产品中副溶血性弧菌血清群分布、产毒素特性及耐药性,为防治副溶血性弧菌引起的食源性疾病提供依据。方法参照GB/T4789.7—2003用标准血清和PCR进行分型,用PCR测定tdh和trh毒力基因;用纸片扩散法进行药敏试验。结果27株副溶血性弧菌分属于9个血清群,分别为O∶4群占33.3%(9/27)、O∶3群占14.8%(4/27)、O∶2群占14.8%(4/27)、O∶11群占11.1%(3/27)、O∶5群占7.4%(2/27)、O∶1群占7.4%(2/27)、O∶7群占3.7%(1/27)、O∶9群占3.7%(1/27)、O∶10群占3.7%(1/27)。27株副溶血性弧菌的tdh与trh毒力基因均阴性。药敏试验结果显示,27株副溶血性弧菌对青霉素类、β-内酰胺类、氨基糖苷类、磺胺类、喹诺酮类、头孢类药物都有耐药株出现。结论宁波市小水产品分离的副溶血性弧菌具有血清分群多样性,药敏结果多重耐药性的特点。