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The application of combined preservative factors (hurdle technology) is very effective in controlling the growth of food spoilage and foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Antimicrobial activity of nisin alone and in combination with some natural organic compounds (carvacrol, cinnamic acid, eugenol, diacetyl, and thymol) on the growth of gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Listeria innocua was investigated. All the organic compounds tested exhibited antimicrobial activity against the microorganisms used; however, the MICs varied between 0.8 and 15.0 mM depending on the potency of the compound or the sensitivity of the target strain. Investigation of the interaction between the organic compounds and nisin against the test organisms revealed different patterns, varying from synergistic to antagonistic. Combinations of nisin with carvacrol, eugenol, or thymol resulted in synergistic action against both test organisms. Activity of nisin and cinnamic acid together was synergistic against L. innocua, but only additive against B. subtilis. In contrast, the combination of diacetyl and nisin resulted in an antagonistic effect against both test organisms. This study highlights the potential of the combination of these compounds with nisin to inhibit pathogen growth in food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical support for the failing heart has interested and challenged cardiac specialists for decades. In the United States alone, there are close to 375000 cardiac surgical procedures performed each year, and, despite the recent advances in myocardial protection, surgical techniques, intra-aortic balloon therapy and maximal pharmacological support, postoperative ventricular dysfunction continues to occur in 0.5-1.0% of all patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This retrospective review describes our 5-year clinical experience at the Brigham and Women's Hospital with the Abiomed BVS 5000 as a means of ventricular support. During the period of 1994 to present, 7428 cardiac surgical operations were performed at our institution. The Abiomed BVS 5000 has been implanted in 47 patients exhibiting ventricular failure. There were 38 patients in the bridge-to-recovery group and nine patients in the bridge-to-transplantation group. Twenty-five patients (66%) in the bridge-to-recovery group were weaned and 16 patients (42%) went on to discharge. In the bridge-to-transplantation group, one patient actually recovered myocardial function and one expired on the device. The remaining seven patients (77%) underwent cardiac transplantation with post-transplant survival at 66%. Overall, patients were supported in the isolated left ventricular mode (28%), in the biventricular mode (45%) and in the isolated right ventricular mode (28%). The Abiomed BVS 5000 has been shown to be a safe and simple cardiac support system with no mechanical failure. Our experience shows that a substantial number of patients suffering from ventricular failure will benefit from the use of this device. The results also justify the use of this device in groups of patients other that of postcardiotomy ventricular failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measures the biosynthesis of thromboxane A2 in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension and compares it with indices of disease severity. Subjects and methods; Results; Discussion.

Investigates the role of local circuit neurons in the striatum in regulating neural and behavioral responses to dopaminergic stimulation. Importance of interneurons in shaping neuronal circuit activity; Classes of interneurons; Excitability of striatal projection neurons in striosome and matrix compartments.

Abstract: The functional regulation of integrins is a major determinant of cell adhesion, migration and tissue maintenance. The binding of cytoskeletal proteins to various sites of integrin cytoplasmic domains is a key mechanism of this functional regulation. Expression of recombinant integrin αIIbβ3 and αMβ2 lacking the GFFKR-region in CHO cells results in constitutively activated integrins. In contrast, CHO cells stably expressing either a GFFKR-deleted αV(del)β3 or a FF to AA-substituted αV(AA)β3 do not reveal a constitutively activated integrin. Adhesion to immobilized fibrinogen is strongly impaired in αV(del)β3 or αV(AA)β3-expressing cells, whereas it is not impaired in αIIbβ3 and αMβ2, both lacking the GFFKR-region. In a parallel plate flow chamber assay, αVβ3-expressing cells adhere firmly to fibrinogen and spread even at shear rates of 15 to 20 dyn/cm2, whereas αV(del)β3 or αV(AA)β3 cells are detached at 15 dyn/cm2. Actin stress fiber formation and focal adhesion plaques containing αVβ3 are observed in αVβ3 cells but not in αV(del)β3 or αV(AA)β3-expressing cells. As an additional manifestation of impaired outside–in signaling, phosphorylation of pp125FAK was reduced in these cells. In summary, we report that the GFFKR-region of the αV-cytoplasmic domain and in particular two phenylalanines are essential for integrin αVβ3 function, especially for outside–in signaling. Our results suggest that the two β3-integrins αIIbβ3 and αVβ3 are differentially regulated via their GFFKR-region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Helicobacter pylori upregulates endothelial adhesion molecules but the pattern is unclear. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were exposed to control medium or H. pylori 60190. Binding of monoclonal antibodies against P-selectin, E-selectin, vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Binding of polymorphonuclear leukocytes to HUVEC was determined on cells exposed as above. After 6 h exposure to H. pylori, there were 30%, 124%, 167% and 100% increases in P-selectin, E-selectin, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 levels and a 400% increase in polymorphonuclear leukocyte adhesion in HUVEC exposed to H. pylori. Effects of incubation for other intervals between 0 and 18 h are also described. H. pylori exerts some of its effects on gastric mucosa via gastric vasculature. This study gives insight into the pattern of H. pylori-associated endothelial adhesion molecule upregulation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the accuracy and working condition of 210 sphygmomanometers in hospital and family practice. Cause of faults in the inflation-deflation system; Percentage of leakage occurrence of the hospital and family practice sphygmomanometers; Maintenance of sphygmomanometers.

Background: Clinical studies have suggested an association between cardiovascular disease and infection with H pylori. We have described strain specific H pylori-induced platelet aggregation that involves platelet glycoprotein lb and van Willebrand factor (vWf). We exam ned the role of H pylori antibodies in this aggregation. Methods and Results: Addition of pooled immunoglobin (Ig) and fibrinogen along with H pylori strain 60190 (coated in vWf) to washed platelets led to platelet aggregation (60±4% n=3). Antibodes involved were specific to H pylori as bacteria incubated in pooled g and subsequently washed could support platelet aggregation (49±7%, n=3). To confirm this, pooled Ig was incubated with H pylori or Streptococcus sanguis. Bacteria were removed by centrifugation and the depleted g used in aggregation assays. H pylori-depleted Ig showed greatly reduced platelet aggregation to H pylori (13±9%, n=3, p<0.01) while the S sanguis-depleted Ig was not affected (54±3%, n=3, p=NS). All 20 plasma donors were tested for H pylori seropositivity using a H pylori ELISA. All 4/4 of the positive volunteers consistent y aggregated in response to H pylori while only 2/15 of the H pylori negative donors aggregated consistently (p=0.039, Fisher's Exact Test). The relative risk of H pylori positivity for aggregation was 7.5 (CI 2.0-27.3). Conclusions: H pylori-induced platelet aggregation requires binding of H pylori-specific IgG. This pro-aggregatory phenotype is not unique to H pylori and has been described with S sanguis and P gingivalis. Exposure to oral bacteria such as S sanguis can lead to infective endocarditis and in the case of P gingivalis, to enhancement of atherosclerosis in animal models. Repeated exposure to proaggregatory bacteria such as certain strains of H pylori may not cause coronary artery disease but could accelerate the progression of the disease. Local platelet effects may also contribute to the pathogenesis of H... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]