bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The potential value on medication safety of a clinical decision support system in intensive care patients with renal insufficiency
Authors: Helmons P. J. , Grouls R. J. E. , Roos A. N. , Bindels A. J. G. H. , De Clercq P. A. , Wessels‐Basten S. J. W. , Ackerman E. W. , Korsten H. H. M.
Published: March 2007

Introduction:  Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) are defined as electronic or non‐electronic systems designed to aid in clinical decision making, using characteristics of individual patients to generate patient‐specific assessments or recommendations that are then presented to clinicians for consideration (Garg et al., 2005). As the potential value of a CDSS is determined by the benefits on clinical practice of the clinical rules used in this system, it is essential to investigate the necessity and potential benefits on quality of care of these rules (Stiell et al., 1999; Helmons et al., 2006).

Purpose  The aim of this study was to determine the potential value of a clinical rule designed to improve dosage adjustment of antibiotics in critically ill patients with renal dysfunction.

Methods:  We developed a clinical rule assisting the physicians in selecting the appropriate dosage according to renal function of the ten most frequently prescribed antibiotics. We compared the actual number of dosage adjustments without the support of the CDSS with the theoretical number of dosage adjustments determined by the clinical rule in patients with moderate (creatinin clearance (Clcreat) 10–50 ml/min) and severe (Clcreat < 10 ml/min) renal dysfunction.

If dosage adjustment was omitted, we determined the overexposure to the antibiotics in terms of duration and number of dosages administered and the extra drug costs involved.

Results:  Seventeen hundred eighty‐eight patients were included in this retrospective study. In the moderate renal failure group, dosage adjustment was omitted in 163 patients (86%). In the severe renal failure group, dosage was not adjusted in 13 patients (54%). The duration of exposure was the most in patients receiving fluconazole and ciprofloxacin (median duration of 6 days). By adjusting the dosage of the ten most frequently prescribed antibiotics according to renal function, more than 116,000 can be saved annually on our ICU.

Conclusion:  Dosage adjustment of antibiotics is often omitted in our ICU. We conclude that substantial savings and improvement in medication safety can be achieved by implementing this clinical rule in clinical practice. This technology has enormous potential to reduce medication errors. Further (prospective) research is needed to show that this system is clinically applicable.
Drug clearance during Continuous Veno‐Venous Hemofiltration (CVVH). A mathematical model based on ex‐vivo experiments
Authors: Samson‐Corbeij C. M. , Grouls R. J. E. , Gerards A. , Ackerman E. W. , Douwes‐Draaijer P. , Roos A. N. , Bindels A. J. G. H.
Published: March 2007

Introduction:  Continuous veno‐venous hemofiltration (CVVH) with an AN69 membrane is used in hemodynamical unstable patients with acute renal failure admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven (CHE), the Netherlands. Literature search revealed that only the clearance and kinetics of some antibiotics during CVVH were studied. Data obtained with different renal replacement techniques and membranes can’t easily be extrapolated to CVVH with an AN69 membrane. (Reetze‐Bonorden et al. 1993; Mueller et al., 2003) Due to the lack of clinical research data, dosages in patients treated with CVVH at the ICU of the CHE or are not adjusted or are adjusted on the base of the empirical determined creatinin clearance of 30 ml/min. For aminoglycosides and vancomycin dose adjustment is performed applying therapeutic drug monitoring. Because of this a lot of drugs are possibly suboptimal dosed during CVVH.

Aim:  The aim of this study was to develop a predictive mathematical model based on ex‐vivo experiments for the drug clearance by CVVH with an AN69 high‐flux membrane.

Methods:  The experimental set‐up consisted of a PRISMA CFM hemofiltration machine with a AN69 HF 0,9 m2, 500 ml heparinised bovine blood as blood compartment, blood flow rate 150 ml/min and ultrafiltration rate 1500 ml/h. The following drugs were added to the blood compartment in therapeutic concentrations, covering a broad range in molecular weight (Mw), % protein binding (%PB), logP and charge (C): amiodarone, amitriptyline, carbamazepine, cyclosporine, clozapine, digoxin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, gentamycin, midazolam, acetaminophen, theophylline, tobramycin, valproic acid and vancomycin. The sieving coefficient (SC) was calculated by SC=(2x concentration ultrafiltrate) / (concentration post membrane + concentration pre membrane).

Results:  All four parameters; %PB, logP, C and Mw contributed statistically significant (p < 0,05) to the SC. The regression line, explaining 75% of the variance (R2=0,751) is:

SC=0,826 − 0,06%PB − 0,055 logP − 0,085C + 0,000095MW

Conclusion:  Based on the ex‐vivo experiments a mathematical model has been extracted to predict a‐priori the sieving coefficient of drugs during CVVH with an AN69 high‐flux membrane on the base of protein binding, charge, logP and molecular weight. This model has to be validated in vivo and can then be used, if valid, for drugs which physico‐chemical properties in the ranges studied: p%PB 0 − 98%, logP −7,32 – 7, Mw 151 – 1500, C −1 – 3.
Risk calculation for hyperkalemia in heart failure patients
Authors: Vereijken T. L. J. , Bellersen L. , Groenewoud J. M. M. , Kramers C.
Published: March 2007

Introduction:  Since it was propagated to use aldosterone inhibition (Aldo i) on top of ACE inhibitors (ACEi) for the treatment of heart failure, the incidence of hospitalization and death because of hyperkalemia has risen. We aimed to develop a model to estimate the risk of hyperkalemia in patients treated for heart failure in a tertiary reference hospital and to identify precipitating factors.

Methods:  125 CHF patients were studied retrospectively between January 2002 and April 2006. Thirty of these patients developed episodes of hyperkalemia (K ≥ 5.5 mmol/l). Both groups were compared for possible risk factors for hyperkalemia (age, GFR, NYHA class, diabetes mellitus, ejection fraction and medication use (ACEi, angiotensin receptor blockers, Aldo i)). Moreover it was assessed whether a precipitating factor for the hyperkalemic episode could be identified.

Results:  On multivariate logistic regression analysis DM (OR 2.9; 95% CI=1.05–8.3 p=0.041), GFR < 45 ml/min (OR 4.1; 95% CI=1.6–10.5 p=0.004) and NYHA class III–IV (OR 2.4; 95% CI=0.9–6.3 p=0.086) were independently associated with hyperkalemia, whereas age, ejection fraction and medication sort and dose, were not. Based on these ORs a model was designed which could predict hyperkalemia with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 47%. 38% of episodes of hyperkalemia were precipitated by periods of dehydration (diarrhoea, fever) or change of medication, whereas in 62% no precipitating factor could be identified. In all but one hyperkalemic episode there was concomitant transient loss of renal function (i.e rise of creatinin of at least 25%).

Conclusion:  We identified kidney function, diabetes mellitus and heart failure class as independent risk factors of hyperkalemia. The model based on these risk factors gives only a modest prediction of hyperkalemia. Moreover, the majority of the hyperkalemic episodes develop without precipitating factor, although the concomitant transient loss of renal function suggest there is unnoticed transient dehydration in these subjects. These findings imply that heart failure patients in a third line reference hospital should be very closely monitored to minimize the risk for hyperkalemia.
Sequential therapy with activated prothrombin complex concentrates and recombinant FVIIa in patients with severe haemophilia and inhibitors: update of our previous experience
Authors: SCHNEIDERMAN J. , RUBIN E. , NUGENT D. J. , YOUNG G.
Published: March 2007

Summary.  Haemophilia patients with inhibitors can develop bleeding episodes, which are refractory to monotherapy with either recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) or activated prothrombin complex concentrates (APCC). Management of such bleeds is often difficult. We previously reported the safety of using a combination of rFVIIa and APCC given in sequential fashion. In this report, we update our experience with sequential therapy. A retrospective review of medical records was conducted including all reports of sequential therapy defined as receiving both rFVIIa and APCC within 6 h. Data extracted included demographic data, treatment prior to and following hospital admission, clinical data including type and location of bleed, response to therapy, physical examination and laboratory data. In addition, for some patients, thromboelastography was performed to document the effect of sequential therapy on clot formation characteristics. Four patients comprising 35 admissions, 209 hospital days and 115 days of sequential therapy were included in the updated dataset. No patient developed thrombosis or overt disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) although elevations in the D‐dimer above 5 μg mL−1 were noted in 42% of the courses that lasted >3 days. Efficacy is suggested by the fact that patients had resolution of their bleeds after a median of 3 days of sequential therapy after failing to respond to a median of 3 days of monotherapy. Thromboelastography demonstrated an additive effect. Sequential therapy is a safe, potentially efficacious approach in the management of refractory bleeding episodes in patients with haemophilia and inhibitors.
TEMPERATURE RELATIONSHIPS AND SOME OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MICROBIAL FLORA DEVELOPING ON REFRIGERATED BEEF a
Authors: AYRES JOHN C.
Published: March 2007

Growth curves were obtained for numbers of organisms surviving on beef stored at 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 20° and 25° C. These were related to the development of off‐odor and slime. It was shown that the initial load of organisms determined the time required for development of slime. The critical value for slime production was found to be 6 × 107 organisms or a log value of 7.8. There was a change in slope for the effect of temperature at 0° C when compared with that of 20° C.

Comparison was made of the swab, rinse and cut‐section methods of sampling; swab samples were selected as being the most reproducible and most convenient to use.

The effect of storage time and temperature on percentages of lipolytic, gelatin liquefying, oxidase producing, chromogenic and fluorescent bacteria was studied. Most of the bacteria on stored meats had lipolytic activity; from one‐third to two‐thirds of the organisms liquefied gelatin. Oxidase production could not be determined accurately. From 4‐20% of the initial population were found to be chromogens but colored colonies were rarely found beyond the fourth day of storage; also, plates stored at temperatures less than 15° C did not yield chromogens. Fluorescent bacteria comprised 10‐25% of the flora throughout storage.

Microorganisms isolated from refrigerated beef were classified and it was found that at 10° C or lower the bacteria responsible for production of slime were almost without exception pseudomonads. Various species of Pseudomonas were identified. At 15° C or above, there was approximately an equal incidence of organisms of the genus Micrococcus and Pseudomonas. Other bacteria that were recovered from the sliced meat were Achromobacter, Flavobacterium, Microbacterium, Alcaligenes, Aeromonas, Bacillus, Clostridium and Streptococcus. Species of Penicillium were the most commonly encountered molds, more rarely, Cladosporium, Thamnidium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Alternaria, and Sporotrichum were found.
SYMPOSIUM: Immobilized Enzymes in Food Systems
Authors: HULTIN H. O.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Immobilized multienzymic systems are responsible for the high efficiency of many physiological reaction sequences carried out in living cells. Chemical and physical means for artificially immobilizing enzymes presents the opportunity for duplicating this efficiency for use in processing operations. Such artificially immobilized enzymes also serve as useful model systems for studying the properties of physiological multi‐enzymic sequences. Factors characteristic of the immobilized multi‐enzymic state are described. Comparisons are made between immobilized multi‐ and single‐enzyme systems and between immobilized and soluble multi‐enzymic ones.
SYMPOSIUM: Immobilized Enzymes in Food Systems
Authors: STANLEY WILLIAM L. , OLSON ALFRED C.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

The advantages and disadvantages of three general systems for immobilizing enzymes (adsorption, entrapment and covalent bonding) are discussed with emphasis on practicality for food processing applications. Only covalent bonding results in complete fixation. For economy and simplicity, adsorption has many advantages but composition of feeds may cause excessive enzyme loss. The combination of adsorption on a phenol‐formaldehyde resin with covalent crosslinking with glutaraldehyde is described for immobilizing lactase and advantages are discussed.
SYMPOSIUM: Immobilized Enzymes in Food Systems
Authors: LEE YOON Y. , TSAO GEORGE T.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Intrinsic kinetics of an immobilized enzyme can be different from that of soluble enzyme due to changes of the macromolecule caused by immobilization. Also transport of substrate to enzymic sites on the inert support creates a hindrance to overall reaction. Such diffusional effects on immobilized enzyme reactions were analyzed in terms of effectiveness factor and film factor employing the theories developed earlier in heterogeneous catalysis. The pore diffusion effect in the design of an integral reactor was analytically treated. A brief discussion was given to the diffusional effects in relation to common kinetic studies of immobilized enzymes.
MERCURY CONTENT OF SOME FOODS
Authors: GOMEZ M. I. , MARKAKIS P.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

A survey was conducted on the total mercury content of approximately 40 foods, including dairy, poultry, meat and fishery products, cereals, fruits and vegetables, bread and sugar, primarily produced in Michigan. Wet acid digestion and atomic absorption photometry were used in the analyses. The mercury content of most products ranged from less than 0.01 to 0.03 ppm. Fish carried generally higher concentrations of mercury, but no sample exceeded the FDA safety guideline of 0.5 ppm.
FRENCH FRIED POTATOES: FACTORS AFFECTING YIELDS MEASURED AS SERVINGS PER 100 LB OF FROZEN PRODUCT
Authors: ZAK JANUSZ M.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

The relationship between limpness, sizing and par‐fried solids of French fried potatoes and their effect on the number of servings obtained per 100 lb of frozen product in the volumetric type of operations (fast food chain outlets) was investigated. French fried potatoes, shoe‐string style, which had good sizing and limpness yielded more servings than the ones with poor sizing and limpness. The level of solids in the frozen potatoes had no effect on the number of servings obtained, although it did affect the weight of an individual serving.
MICROBIAL QUALITY OF DEHYDRATED ONIONS
Authors: FIRSTENBERG RUTH , MANNHEIM CHAIM H. , COHEN AYALA
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

A reliable indicator for microbial quality of dehydrated onions was sought and the effect of brine treatment of onions on final microbial counts was investigated. Enterococci were found to be a better index for microbial contamination in dehydrated onions than coliforms: they multiplied at a slower rate on raw onions and were much more resistant to the process and in storage. In dehydration experiments carried out in the laboratory and in industrial lines it was found that dipping or fluming of onions prior to dehydration in 2–4% salt solutions improved their total counts ca 12‐fold and coliform counts about 32‐fold. The fungi counts of dried onions could be reduced by treating whole onions with saturated steam prior to dehydration.
HEAT TRANSFER FROM CONDENSING STEAM TO VEGETABLE PIECES
Authors: LING C.‐C. A. , BOMBEN J. L. , FARKAS D. F. , KING C. J.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Vegetable pieces were suspended in a vertical 3 in. glass pipe through which steam passed at known temperature, pressure and velocity, and the center temperature of the piece was measured. Thc values for center temperature vs. time were used to estimate the surface heat transfer coefficient using Gurney‐Lurk charts. The volume of noncondensable gas in the vegetable affected the overall heat transfer coefficient. Reducing the volume of gas in the vegetable by vacuum degassing prior to heating increased the rate of center temperature rise, while increasing the volume of gas prior to heating by exposing the vegetable piece to nitrogen at 1500 psig decreased the rate. Steam velocities in the range of 0.1–2.6 ft/sec did not measurably affect the heating rate. However, when the velocity was increased further by using a nozzle, the rate of center temperature rise was increased.
EXTERNAL COLOR AS A MATURITY INDEX OF PAPAYA FRUITS
Authors: PELEG M. , BRITO L. GÓMEZ
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Freshly harvested Carica papaya fruits were classified according to the maximum intensity of yellow coloring on the peel with a Hunterlab Color Difference Meter. It was found that the major part of the fruits having b values exceeding 20 units matured normally within 5–7 days of storage, while the major part of the fruits having maximum b values between 18 and 20 Hunter b units matured normally within 8–10 days. The majority of fruits having maximum b values less than 18 units did not ripen normally. No correlation existed between the total soluble solids content, the texture strength, the internal color development and the external yellow coloration of the peel during storage. A method of grading the state of maturity of papaya is suggested based on three parameters: total soluble solids, texture strength and internal color intensity.
LIPID‐PROTEIN INTER ACTION DURING AQUEOUS EXTRACTION OF FISH PROTEIN: MYOSIN‐LIPID INTERACTION
Authors: SHENOUDA SOLIMAN Y. K. , PIGOTT GEORGE M.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Present results of model system experiments to determine whether or not the fish lipid interacts with myosin and which groups of lipids are responsible for this interaction. Studies of the effects of aging, heating and air denaturation (foam formation) on the formation of these lipoprotein complexes are also reported.
CALCULATION OF TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT ERRORS IN THERMOCOUPLES IN CONVECTION HEATING CANS
Authors: PACKER G. J. K. , GAMLEN J. L. B.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Heat conduction along a wire and heat transfer to a wire from liquid in a can during heating and cooling in a retort are considered. Equations are derived for calculation of the temperature error, which is expressed as a fraction of the difference between the liquid and retort temperatures. Dimensionless numbers are defined for heat conduction along the wire and for heat transfer from the liquid to the wire. Graphs of temperature error are presented in terms of these dimensionless numbers which enable the reader to rapidly determine the error for several points along the wire. A method is also given for correction of the “lag factor” (j)in process calculations.
REVERSE OSMOSIS CONCENTRATION OF CARBOHYDRATE SOLUTIONS: PROCESS MODELLING AND COSTING
Authors: PEELER J. P. K. , SITNAI O.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Costs have been determined, by means of a mathematical model, for batchwise dewatering of dilute carbohydrate solutions using reverse osmosis. The concept of plant design was based on multiple parallel units comprising a number of tubular modules connected in series. Major operating parameters examined were the initial feed concentration, final concentration, operating pressure and the number of modules in series. Costs, in terms of per m3 of water removal, are presented for a basic feed capacity of 140m3 per day.
MICROORGANISMS FROM OIL PALM TREE (Elaeis guineensis) TAP HOLES
Authors: FAPARUSI S. I.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

In the study of microorganisms from oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis) tap holes, 12 yeasts, 18 bacteria and 6 mould species were isolated. On the average half of these microfloral species were also cultured from the palm sap obtained from the tap holes. Observations of microfloral population changes during the period of tapping indicate that sap yield began to fall as soon as bacteria and yeast populations each reached 108 per gram of tissue.
ACCEPTABILITY OF SALTINE CRACKERS CONTAINING COTTONSEED PROTEIN PRODUCTS
Authors: STAATS LORRAINE G. , TOLMAN NANCY M.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Saltine‐type crackers containing cottonseed products had two to three times as much protein as unfortified crackers and received acceptable ratings from a six‐member taste panel both when fresh and after up to 21 days of storage. Deglanded concentrate, glandless concentrate and storage isolate were substituted for 25, 30 and 35% of the weight of the flour in the recipe. Moisture changes, breaking strength, count‐per‐pound and height of samples were determined. The two concentrates were found to be more acceptable to the taste panelists than the isolate, and could be used to fortify snack crackers.
PENTANE FORMATION AND RANCIDITY IN VEGETABLE OILS AND IN POTATO CHIPS
Authors: WARNER K. , EVANS C. D. , LIST G. R. , BOUNDY B. K. , KWOLEK W. F.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Pentane formation during initial stages of autoxidation is indicative of rancidity in aged vegetable oils and potato chips. Pentane in the headspace gas of oils and chips was measured by gas chromatography. An 18‐member taste panel evaluated the samples for development of rancid odors and flavors. Significant linear correlations were obtained between the amount of pentane developed and the number of rancid descriptions. Samples needed only 0.08 ppm pentane in the headspace to be described as rancid by 90% of the panel. Both oils and chips were more stable to the development of pentane as the linoleate content and the iodine value decreased.
CONDITIONS FOR THE AUTOLYSIS OF ALPHA‐GALACTOSIDES AND PHYTIC ACID IN CALIFORNIA SMALL WHITE BEANS
Authors: BECKER ROBERT , OLSON ALFRED C. , FREDERICK DORIS P. , KON SAMUEL , GUMBMANN MICHAEL R. , WAGNER JOSEPH R.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

The conditions for the autolysis of stachyose, raffinose and phytic acid in California small white beans were determined. It was found that initially the beans contain about 3.7% stachyose, 0.4% raffinose and no detectable verbascose. Optimum conditions for autolysis of these sugars are pH 5 and 45–65°C. Approximately 30% of the sugars are hydrolyzed in 9 hr, 50% in 24 hr and 70% in 48 hr. Disappearance of the oligosaccharides is accompanied by corresponding increases in galactose and sucrose. Other changes occur during incubation, including the hydrolysis of phytic acid with the production of inorganic phosphate and inositol. Optimum conditions for the production of inorganic phosphate and inositol are pH 5 and 35–45°C. When fed to rats incubated preparations of beans produced less hydrogen than nonincubated preparations.
FOOD USE OF SOYBEAN 7S AND 11S PROTEINS High Temperature Expansion Characteristics of Gels
Authors: SAIO KYOKO , SATO IWAO , WATANABE TOKUJI
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

High temperature expansion characteristics of soybean gels coagulated with calcium salt or HCI were studied. Results show: (1) that the high ionic strength and slight alkaline or acidic range of buffer in which the gels were immersed, promoted expansion characteristics of gels; (2) the higher ratio of 11S to 7S protein in the gels resulted in higher expansion; and (3) presence of sodium sulfite prevented gels from expansion. The binding forces attributed to construct gels before and after expansion are discussed based on studies of expansion characteristics of gels in different conditions and on solubility of gels with 2‐mercaptoethanol and sodium dodecyl sulfate.
CELLULASE ACTIVITY IN PEACHES DURING RIPENING
Authors: HINTON D. M. , PRESSEY R.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Cellulase activity and fruit firmness were studied during ripening of freestone peaches. There was very little cellulase activity in mature green peaches, but it increased during tree and postharvest ripening. The greatest increase in the enzyme activity occurred before the fruit began to soften. The data suggest that cellulase working in conjunction with other hydrolytic enzymes could play a vital role in the softening of peaches during ripening.
NONVOLATILE ACIDS IN LYCHEE
Authors: CHAN HARVEY T. , KWOK SIMON C. M.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

The nonvolatile acids were extracted from lychee, separated by TLC and identified as levulinic, malic and citric. GLC of the methyl esters of the acids confirmed the presence of levulinic, malic and citric acids and revealed traces of lactic, malonic, fumaric and succinic acids. GLC of the TMS derivatives of the acids confirmed the presence of succinic, malic, levulinic and citric acids and revealed the presence of phosphoric and glutaric. Quantitative analysis by GLC showed that malic was the most abundant acid in lychee; other acids occurred in much lower quantities.
NUTRITIONAL AND COMPOSITIONAL CHANGES IN DEHYDRO‐IRRADIATED SHRIMP
Authors: SRINIVAS H. , VAKIL U. K. , SREENIVASAN A.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Nutritional and compositional changes in dehydro‐irradiated shrimp have been studied and compared with those in samples processed by conventional procedures. No changes in proximate constituents are observed due to radiation treatment, though blanching causes some loss in total proteins. Losses in B vitamins due to radiation are much less than those due to blanching and partial drying. Radiation‐induced losses can be minimized by packing the samples in vacuum or nitrogen atmosphere prior to irradiation. A progressive loss up to 22% of B vitamins is observed in processed shrimp during 3 months storage at ambient temperature. No losses in total amino acids or in available lysine are observed in irradiated samples, while thermal treatment results in some losses. In vitro enzymic digestibility of shrimp protein is increased by radiation treatment.
PROTEOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF Pseudomonas perolens AND EFFECTS ON PORCINE MUSCLE
Authors: BUCKLEY D. J. , GANN G. L. , PRICE J. F. , SPINK G. C.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Changes in the solubility of the primary muscle proteins attributable to the presence and growth of Pseudomonas perolens were increases in the extractability of myofibrillar and nonprotein nitrogen components at the expense of the sarcoplasmic and stroma proteins. Initiation of the production of high levels of proteolytic enzyme by Pseudomonas perolens in inoculated pork occurred concurrently with a rapid rise in pH and the peak of the bacterial growth curve. Incubation of porcine muscle at 3°C with or without bacterial cells resulted in minor ultrastructural changes. The purified proteolytic enzyme extract produced by Pseudomonas perolens appeared to cause the removal of the Z line and M line after as little as 4 days incubation. Fragmentation of the myofibrils and disintegration of actin filaments was evident after 8 days. Those samplcs containing bacterial cells exhibited varying degrees of ultrastructural damage after 8 days incubation. Localized disruption of myofibrils was observed and may have been due to localized growth or enzyme claboration of bacterial cells.
ADENOSINE 3′,5′‐CYCLIC MONOPHOSPHATE IN NORMAL PORCINE MUSCLES
Authors: ONO K. , WOODS O. R.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

As part of a study to define the etiology of pale, soft and exudative pork and porcine stress syndrome, some properties of cyclic AMP, a compound which mediates the action of epinephrine, were studied. Results show that cyclic AMP is uniformly distributed in hog skeletal muscles both within and between muscles and is unstable at 2° but stable at ‐ 20°C and below. Under the conditions of the experiments, no simple relationship is obvious between rate of glycogen breakdown and concentration of cyclic AMP.
THE EFFECT OF BACTERIAL FERMENTATION ON PROTEIN SOLUBILITY IN A SAUSAGE MODEL SYSTEM
Authors: KLEMENT J. T. , CASSENS R. G. , FENNEMA O. R.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

The solubilities of myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic proteins were studied in response to bacterial fermentation in a simplified system. As pH decreased from 7.4 to 4.6, the solubility of the myofibrillar fraction decreased 60% and that of sarcoplasmic proteins decreased 40%; solubility of sarcoplasmic proteins previously adjusted to 0.67M NaCl decreased 50%. Sarcoplasmic proteins with and without added NaCl were more susceptible to insolubilization from heat than were the myofibrillar proteins. The myofibrillar preparation showed a marked increase in nonprotein nitrogen during fermentation whereas the sarcoplasmic fraction exhibited only a small incrcase in nonprotein nitrogen.
PROPERTIES OF A FERMENTED, SEMIDRY TURKEY SAUSAGE DURING PRODUCTION WITH LYOPHILIZED AND FROZEN CONCENTRATES OF Pediococcus cerevisiae
Authors: KELLER J. E. , ACTON J. C.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Turkey sausage mixes utilizing breast, thigh and skin tissues were inoculated with either lyophilized or frozen concentrate starter cultures of Pediococcus cerevisiae. Main phases of production were examined to determine where and at what rate compositional, microbial and physical changes occur. Fermentation of the sausages was more rapid with the frozen concentrate (6–8 hr lag phase) than with the lyophilized culture (12–14 hr lag phase), as determined by the rates of pH reduction and lactic acid production. The sausage meat waterholding capacity during fermentation using either culture form showed a minimum at pH 5.0, the approximate isoelectric point of major muscle proteins. During heat processing to 71°C internally, counts of total viable bacteria and lactic acid bacteria were reduced by 5 log cycles. Changes in concentrations of chemical components (protein, fat, moisture, salt) and shear force values during the drying phase were highly correlated with the amount of shrinkage and moisture removed. A semidry product was attained in 10–12 days.
ENUMERATION OF THERMALLY STRESSED Staphylococcus aureus MF 31
Authors: GRAY RODNEY J. H. , GASKE MARGARET A. , ORDAL Z. JOHN
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Procedures used to enumerate microorganisms in food should detect all viable organisms present, regardless of their physiological state. Several currently recognized procedures were unable to satisfactorily enumerate thermally stressed cells of Staphylococcus aureus. After heating cells at 52°C in 100 mM potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.2, the cells were enumerated by comparative platings on both selective and nonselective media and by a most probable number technique (MPN). All media produced similar counts of unheated cells. When heated cells were enumerated by plating on selective media, productivity varied with the degree of stress imposed and the particular medium used. Baird‐Parker's medium enumerated normal and stressed cells equally well. When stressed cells were inoculated into trypticase soy broth + 10% NaCl the plate count on the nonselective medium decreased and approached that of the selective medium. After an extended lag the counts then increased in a parallel manner.
DETERMINATION OF WATER ACTIVITY IN INTERMEDIATE MOISTURE PET FOODS BY SOLVENT EXTRACTION
Authors: MALLETT DAN , KOHNEN JAMES B. , SURLES TERRY
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Measuring water activity rapidly and inexpensively to determine whether intermediate moisture pet foods will have sufficiently low water activity to insure stable shelf life is a continuing problem. An attempt was made to adapt the solvent extraction method of Hasegawa and Sekine to IM dog foods and results were found in good agreement with those obtained from Hygrodynamics sensors. There was slightly more spread in results by solvent extraction, but a 75% saving in time: 2 hr vs. 8 for a similar run using sensors.
IMPROVED PROCEDURES FOR MATHEMATICAL EVALUATION OF HEAT PROCESSES
Authors: HAYAKAWA KAN‐ICHI
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

It is frequently necessary to determine the heating time of a thermal process producing a specified sterilizing value. This sterilizing value is one usually required for “microbially safe” heat processing. In most cases the determination is accomplished through iterative calculations. To minimize these calculations, an assumed heating time for the first iteration should be as close as possible to a correct onc. Since no reliable procedure for estimating the approximate heating times is published, mathematical procedures were developed for this estimation. Mathematical evaluation of safe thermal processes may be accomplished with considerably less computation through the application of the developed procedures.
EFFECT OF ESSENCE ENHANCEMENT AND STORAGE ON THE FLAVOR OF FROZEN CONCENTRATED ORANGE JUICE
Authors: DOUGHERTY MARSHALL H. , PETRUS DONALD R. , FELLERS PAUL J.
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTS

Brix frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) were prepared using a commercially prepared 65° Brix Valencia frozen concentrated orange juice as a base product and essences produced by three different Florida commercial citrus processors. The essences differed in odor and flavor characteristics and chemical composition. Essence was added to twelve of the packs on the basis of total aldehydes. Each of the three essences was added to obtain levels of 5, 15, 30 and 45 mg/l of total essence aldehydes in the reconstituted juices. The 13th pack contained no essence and was used as a control. All packs had coldpressed Valencia orange oil added to a level of 0.019% v/v in the reconstituted products. The packs were stored at −22.2°C. Flavor evaluations were made by twelve experienced taste panelists after storage periods of 1.5, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 30 months. Results indicate that essences produced by different recovery systems are distinct and differ in their chemical composition and strength. In some cases there is an optimum level of essence that can be added to a juice to improve its flavor, and higher levels can lower its flavor quality. Storage at −22.2°C had no effect on the flavor of products containing essence as a flavor enhancement material.
Detecting impacts and setting restoration targets in arid‐zone rivers: aquatic micro‐invertebrate responses to reduced floodplain inundation
Authors: JENKINS K. M. , BOULTON A. J.
Published: March 2007

Water extraction from arid‐zone rivers increases the time between floods across their floodplain wetlands. Less frequent flooding in Australian arid‐zone rivers has impaired waterbird and fish breeding, killed riparian vegetation and diminished invertebrate and macrophyte communities. Restoration currently focuses on reinstating floods to rejuvenate floodplain wetlands, yet indicators to measure the success of this are poorly developed.

We explored the application of criteria for ecologically successful river restoration to potential restoration of floodplain wetlands on the Darling River, arid‐zone Australia. Using emergence of micro‐invertebrates from resting eggs as an indicator, we compared responses of taxa richness, densities and community composition in floodplain lakes with different inundation histories.

Increased drying of floodplain lakes reduced the number of micro‐invertebrate taxa. Several key taxa were absent and faunal densities (particularly cladocerans) were reduced when the duration of drying increased from 6 to 20 years.

A conceptual model of the ecological mechanisms by which restoration of flooding regime could achieve the target of preserving micro‐invertebrate community resilience predicts that reducing the dry period between floods will minimize losses of viable resting eggs. Protection of this ‘egg bank’ permits a boom in micro‐invertebrates after flooding, promoting successful recruitment by native fish and waterbirds.

Synthesis and applications. In arid‐zone rivers, micro‐invertebrate densities and community composition are useful indicators of the impact of reduced flooding as a result of water extraction. Critical to successful native fish recruitment as their first feed and as prey for waterbirds, micro‐invertebrates are a potential early indicator of responses by higher trophic levels. Taxon richness, density and key taxa present after flooding, all indicators of resilience, can be incorporated into targets for arid‐zone river restoration. For example, one restoration target may be microcrustacean densities between 100 and 1000 L−1 within 2–3 weeks after spring flooding. These criteria can be applied to measure the ecological success of restoration projects seeking to recover natural flood regimes. Given the high economic cost of water in arid zones, convincing demonstrations of the ecological success of environmental water allocations are crucial.
The effect of experimental fascioliasis on the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine and sulphadimidine in desert sheep
Authors: ELSHEIKH H. A. , ALI B. H.
Published: March 2007

Healthy adult male desert sheep were experimentally infected with Fasciola gigantica, to investigate the influence of experimental fasciolasis on the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine and sulphadimidine. Each animal received 500 metacercariae orally. The experimental infection was confirmed histologically, by detection of Fasciola eggs in faeces and by measuring the activities of the enzymes sorbitol dehydrogenase (SD), glutamate dehydrogenase (GD) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in plasma during the course of the disease. Changes in the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine and sulphadimidine were reported in the experimentally infected animals. Significant prolongation of antipyrine half life was observed 16 weeks after infection. The half‐life of sulphadimidine was also significantly prolonged 5, 9 and 16 weeks after infection. Clearance of the sulphonamide was decreased significantly 5 and 9 weeks after infection and it regained its pre‐infection value 16 weeks after infection.
Fluconazole in cats: Pharmacokinetics following intravenous and oral administration and penetration into cerebrospinal fluid, aqueous humour and pulmonary epithelial lining fluid
Authors: VADEN S. L. , HEIT M. C. , HAWKINS E. C. , MANAUGH C. , RIVIERE J. E.
Published: March 2007

The pharmacokinetics of fluconazole following intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration and the penetration of fluconazole into cerebrospinal fluid, aqueous humour and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of the lungs were evaluated in adult male cats. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated from serum concentration‐time data obtained following i.v. and p.o. administration of 50 mg per cat using a cross‐over study design. Fluconazole concentrations were measured using a high‐performance liquid chromatography assay. Mean total body clearance of fluconazole was 37.7 mL/h.kg, mean volume of distribution at steady state was 1.14 L/kg, mean residence time was 31.0 h and mean half‐life of elimination was 25 h as derived by non‐compartmental analysis of data. Absorption was complete. Mean ratios of fluid:serum fluconazole concentrations following administration of 50 mg fluconazole per day for 8 days were as follows: cerebrospinal fluid, 0.88; aqueous humour 0.79; ELF, 1.20. Fluconazole concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid, aqueous humour and ELF exceeded reported minimum inhibitory concentrations of fluconazole for pathogenic fungi. Results of this study suggest fluconazole can effectively be administered to cats at 50 mg per cat per day.
Histamine mediates the muscle layer‐specific responses in the isolated swine myometrium
Authors: KITAZAWA T. , SHISHIDO H. , SATO T. , TANEIKE T.
Published: March 2007

To clarify the role of histamine in uterine contractility, the effect of this biogenic amine on the myometrium of cyclic mature gilts was investigated by an isometric tension recording study in vitro. In addition, using crude membrane preparations isolated from the longitudinal (LM) and circular muscle (CM), the distribution of H1 histamine receptors was characterized by 3H‐pyrilamine binding assay. Histamine caused a tetrodotoxin‐resistant contractile response of LM and CM in Krebs solution, but LM (‐logEC50= 6.34) was more sensitive than CM (‐logEC50= 5.4). Pyrilamine decreased the excitatory response of histamine in both muscle layers. In pyrilamine‐treated LM, a high concentration of histamine (1‐30 μm) caused a slight inhibition of spontaneous contraction, and this inhibition was abolished by ranitidine. On the other hand, histamine did not cause any inhibition in the pyrilamine‐treated CM preparations. Dimaprit (10‐300 μm) concentration‐dependently inhibited the spontaneous contraction of LM but not of CM. In the presence of pyrilamine and ranitidine, N α‐methylhistamine, even at 10 μm, did not affect the spontaneous and electrical field stimulation (5Hz)‐induced contraction of LM and CM layers. Specific 3H‐pyrilamine binding sites were distributed heterogeneously in the swine myometrium. The maximum number of binding sites in LM (132.5 ± 9.9 fmol/mg protein, n= 10) was 2.5 times higher than that in CM (52.2 ± 3.2 fmol/mg protein, n= 6). These results indicate that there is a muscle layer‐dependent difference of histamine‐induced response in the swine myometrium. In the LM layer, histamine acts on both H1 and H2 histamine receptors, and causes contraction (via H1 receptors at a low concentration) or relaxation (via H2 receptors at a high concentration in the presence of pyrilamine). However, histamine causes only a contraction in the CM layer, likely the result of the absence of H2 histamine receptors. Histamine‐induced contraction is conspicuous in the LM layer, because of the heterogeneous distribution of H1‐receptors between LM and CM.
Dexamethasone and flumethasone residues in milk of intramuscularly dosed cows
Authors: REDING J. , SAHIN A. , SCHLATTER J. , NAEGELI H.
Published: March 2007

A field study was performed to assess the level of drug residues in milk after therapeutic application of highly potent synthetic glucocorticoids. Dexamethasone was tested either as a crystalline suspension or as a combination of sodium phosphate and phenylpropionate esters. Intramuscular injection of these preparations in lactating dairy cows (60 μg dexamethasone/kg body wt) yielded drug residues in milk of up to 8.4 ng/mL 12 h after treatment. These dexamethasone residues fell to below 1.0 ng/mL within 3 days after treatment. Intramuscular injection of an aqueous flumethasone preparation (13.5 μg/kg body wt) produced drug residues in milk in the range of 0.7‐1.2 ng/mL 12 h after treatment, whereas flumethasone was below the detection limit of 0.23 ng/mL 2 days after administration. These results indicate that toxicologically significant residues may arise transiently in the milk during the first 2‐3 days after intramuscular injection of synthetic glucocorticoids. Urine from the same animals contained 5‐ to 50‐fold higher glucocorticoid concentrations than the corresponding milk samples. Thus, urine analysis appears to be an effective method to monitor the use of synthetic glucocorticoids in food producing animals.
An assessment of the peripheral antinociceptive potential of remoxipride, clonidine and fentanyl in sheep using the forelimb tourniquet
Authors: MAIN D.C.J. , WATERMAN A. E. , KILPATRICK I.C. , JONES A.
Published: March 2007

A modification of the intravenous regional anaesthesia technique was used to assess the peripheral antinociceptive effect of remoxipride, clonidine and fentanyl. Drugs administered intravenously via peripheral catheters were restricted to the distal limb and nociceptive threshold test site by prior inflation of a tourniquet proximal to both the catheter and a threshold‐testing device. Lignocaine (1 mg/kg) induced peripheral antinociception during tourniquet inflation. Clonidine (6 μg/kg) only induced significant elevations in thresholds after tourniquet deflation. A low dose of remoxipride (2 mg/kg), which had no systemic antinociceptive effect, produced antinociception after its restriction to the periphery. Peripheral administration of saline and tourniquet‐induced restriction of blood flow to the distal limb did not alter threshold values. Peripheral administration of fentanyl was used to test a further modification of the injection protocol designed to reduce the incidence of leakage into the systemic circulation. Fentanyl administration (11.2 μg/kg) failed to elicit an increase in thresholds when it was restricted to the distal limb test site. The contribution of a peripheral mechanism to the antinociception induced by systemic administration of a higher remoxipride dose (7.5 mg/kg) was investigated using an inflated tourniquet to exclude remoxipride from the periphery. Exclusion of remoxipride from the periphery reduced its antinociceptive effect, i.e. threshold values were lower than if remoxipride was allowed free access to the limb prior to tourniquet inflation.

The technique described here was effective in demonstrating that the increase in noninflammatory nociceptive thresholds seen with clonidine and fentanyl is not peripherally mediated whilst that seen with remoxipride has a peripheral component.
Tranquillization of cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus) with a depot neuroleptic (pipothiazine palmitate)
Authors: MCCOY J. , JORI F. , STEM C.
Published: March 2007

Stress‐induced self‐trauma is a major cause of mortality among captive cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus). Six subadult female cane rats were injected with a long‐acting neuroleptic drug (pipothiazine palmitate, 25 mg/kg), and an equal number were injected with isotonic saline. Their behaviour and reactions to stimuli were recorded daily. After 5 weeks, treated animals continued to display significantly less stress‐related behaviour than the control group. In addition, two abbreviated studies were conducted. Eleven subadult males were treated identically to the females. Their behaviour was recorded for 1 week. Subsequently, 11 indocile animals on a commercial cane rat farm were tested for calmness, treated with pipothiazine and retested after 2.5 weeks. The results of these studies were similar to those in the female study. A significant taming effect was seen 30 days after a single treatment for all invasive or aggressive tests in treated cane rats, and no extrapyramidal effects were noted. Pipothiazine affected neither their alertness nor weight gain. However, substantial behavioural alteration requires the exposure of the animal to stressful stimuli during the treatment period. Pipothiazine palmitate decreases the stress experienced by cane rats, eases their transition to a new environment, makes them easier to handle and less likely to injure themselves.
Variations in 13C discrimination during CO2 exchange by Picea sitchensis branches in the field
Authors: WINGATE LISA , SEIBT ULLI , MONCRIEFF JOHN B. , JARVIS PAUL G. , LLOYD JON
Published: March 2007

We report diurnal variations in 13C discrimination (13Δ) of Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. branches measured in the field using a branch chamber technique. The observations were compared to predicted 13Δ based on concurrent measurements of branch gas exchange. Observed 13Δ values were described well by the classical model of 13Δ including isotope effects during photorespiration, day respiration and CO2 transfer through a series of resistances to the sites of carboxylation. A simplified linear of model 13Δ did not capture the observed diurnal variability. At dawn and dusk, we measured very high 13Δ values that were not predicted by either of the said models. Exploring the sensitivity of 13Δ to possible respiratory isotope effects, we conclude that isotopic disequilibria between the gross fluxes of photosynthesis and day respiration can explain the high observed 13Δ values during net photosynthetic gas exchange. Based on the classical model, a revised formulation incorporating an isotopically distinct substrate for day respiration was able to account well for the high observed dawn and dusk 13Δ values.