Removal of dairy soil from heated stainless steel surfaces: use of ozonated water as a prerinse

Square (2.54 x 2.54 cm2) 304 stainless steel metal plates were cleaned, passivated, and soiled by autoclaving (121 degrees C at 15 psi for 15 min) with reconstituted nonfat dry milk (20% solids). Fifteen-minute treatments using either warm water (40 degrees C) or ozonated cold water (10 degrees C) were conducted to compare prerinse cleaning potential of soiled metal plates. The chemical oxygen demand determination was performed on extracted organic material from treated metal plates. Results indicated that the ozone treatment removed 84% of soil from metal plates versus 51% soil removal by the warm water treatment, but the effectiveness of the two treatments did not differ (P > 0.05). Cleaning effects were visualized using scanning electron microscopy at 200x and 2000x magnification. The amount of soil film present on stainless steel metal surfaces was visibly lower on ozonated treatments versus on warm water treatments.     

Multifactorial analysis of lung cancer dose-response relationships for workers at the Mayak nuclear enterprise

Dose-response relationships for alpha-radiation-induced lung cancers (adenocarcinoma, squamous carcinoma and small cell carcinoma) were developed by multifactorial analysis using data for Mayak nuclear enterprise workers chronically exposed by inhalation to 239Pu. The three most important lung cancer risk factors (smoking, plutonium incorporation, and external gamma irradiation), out of six factors previously identified, were used. Relative risks (odds ratios) were determined for 500 nuclear enterprise workers (162 cancer cases, 338 control) for different dose levels using a case-control study design and logistic regression. A threshold at about 3.7 kBq or 0.80 Gy was discovered for incorporated plutonium, which is satisfactorily described by linear-quadratic and quadratic models. Excess relative risk was 0.020 kBq(-2) and 0.97 Gy(-2). This quadratic function was mainly due to adenocarcinoma. A trend for decreasing risk was noted for the lowest levels of plutonium incorporation, near permissible level. No clear-cut dose-response relationship for lung cancer induction by chronic external gamma irradiation was obtained. Lung cancer induction by cigarette smoking had a linear dependence: smoking of one pack of papiroses (a type of Russian cigarette) per day for 5 y increases the lung cancer risk twofold. The effect was most clearly manifested for squamous-cell carcinoma.     

A case report of chronic dissecting aortic aneurysm (Stanford type A) with circumferential detachment of the intima

A 57-year-old man underwent Bentall's procedure (Piehler's modification) and partial aortic arch replacement for Stanford type A chronic aortic dissection. Circumferential detachment of intima with intimal intussusception into the aortic arch was found at the time of operation. Preoperative findings did not show the intimal tear involving entire circumference of the ascending aorta. He was asymptomatic but coughing before consulting our hospital. He was discharged from the hospital 26 days after operation.     

Effect of different growth conditions on biomass increase in kefir grains

Kefir is a functional dairy product and the effects of kefir consumption on health have been well documented. Kefir grains have naturally high numbers of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts and are used in manufacturing kefir. The biomass of kefir grains slowly increases after successive fermentations. The effects of adding whey protein isolate, modified whey protein (MWP, fat replacer; Carbery Inc., Cork, Ireland), or inulin to milk and different atmospheric conditions (ambient or 6% CO₂) during fermentation on the increase in biomass of kefir grains were investigated. Reconstituted milks (10% milk powder) enriched with whey protein isolate (2%), MWP (2%), and inulin (2%) were inoculated with kefir grains and fermented in ambient and 6% CO₂ incubators at 25°C until a final pH of 4.6 was reached. Biomass increments of kefir grains were determined weekly over 30 d. Lactic acid bacteria and yeast contents of kefir grains were also determined. The highest biomass increase (392%) was found in kefir grains grown in milk supplemented with whey protein isolate under ambient atmospheric conditions. Application of CO₂ did not provide a significant supporting effect on the biomass of kefir grains. Addition of MWP significantly accelerated the formation of kefir grain biomass (223%). The use of whey protein isolate, MWP, or inulin in milk did not cause any adverse effects on the microbial flora of kefir grains.     

Selective inhibition of Src protein tyrosine kinase by analogues of 5-S-glutathionyl-beta-alanyl-L-dopa

Twelve analogues of the antibacterial phenolic peptide 5-S-glutathionyl-beta-alanyl-L-dopa (5-S-GA-L-D: 1) were synthesized via orthoquinones using tyrosinase. Several synthesized compounds inhibited the v-Src autophosphorylation tyrosine kinase reaction with an IC50 value comparable to that of herbimycin. The inhibition of c-Src substrate phosphorylation was much less active than v-Src autophosphorylation inhibition. The analogues showed no effects on substrate phosphorylation by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and this selectivity is the most characteristic feature of the analogues (1-12).