Search

The direct epifluorescent filter technique (DEFT) for rapid estimation of microbial numbers was evaluated by comparison with the plate count on a variety of uncooked red meat and poultry samples. Good agreement [correlation coefficient (r) = 0.95-0.96] was obtained from samples with plate counts of 5 × 103/g or /cm2 and above from red meat carcasses (surface swabbed), aerobic or vacuum packed chill-stored joints (surface sampled - stomachered) and frozen beef (thawed stomachered). For stored and unstored raw poultry sampled by skin scraping or stomachering of muscle and skin good overall correlation (r = 0.88-0.89) was obtained between the DEFT count and the plate count in the ranges 1.1 × 103 to 1.3 × 107/cm2 (skin scraping) and 1 × 104 to 9.5 × 106/g (muscle and skin) even though the DEFT always overestimated counts on samples on which no growth had occurred (plate count

To further dissect the genetic architecture of colorectal cancer (CRC), we performed whole-genome sequencing of 1,439 cases and 720 controls, imputed discovered sequence variants and Haplotype Reference Consortium panel variants into genome-wide association study data, and tested for association in 34,869 cases and 29,051 controls. Findings were followed up in an additional 23,262 cases and 38,296 controls. We discovered a strongly protective 0.3% frequency variant signal at CHD1. In a combined meta-analysis of 125,478 individuals, we identified 40 new independent signals at P < 5 × 10 −8 , bringing the number of known independent signals for CRC to ~100. New signals implicate lower-frequency variants, Krüppel-like factors, Hedgehog signaling, Hippo-YAP signaling, long noncoding RNAs and somatic drivers, and support a role for immune function. Heritability analyses suggest that CRC risk is highly polygenic, and larger, more comprehensive studies enabling rare variant analysis will improve understanding of biology underlying this risk and influence personalized screening strategies and drug development. © 2018, This is a U.S. government work and not under copyright protection in the U.S.; foreign copyright protection may apply.

Thrombin induces platelet activation through an early, reversible stage of platelet aggregation, which is followed by a later, irreversible stage of platelet aggregation. Without intervention, events leading to pathological platelet activation can result in vessel occlusion, acute coronary syndrome, and stroke. Therefore, a better understanding of events leading to platelet-mediated clot formation may provide insight into new therapeutic targets. Once activated, protease activated receptors (PARs) are essential in regulating events leading to platelet aggregation. We have determined a signaling cascade through PAR1, which involves phosphatidylinositol (PI) kinases, phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2), and Rap1 activation (independent of P2Y12) in the formation of a stable platelet aggregate. The putative phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 was found to reduce basal and PAR-stimulated PIP2 levels by mass spectrometry and to inhibit PAR1-mediated stable platelet aggregation. Rap1 activation in platelets (during time points corresponding to the late, irreversible phase of aggregation) was found to require the PI signaling pathway. Perturbation of PI3K signaling by isoform-selective inhibitors had differential effects on Rap1 activation through PAR1 and PAR4. Hence, it is possible to disrupt lipid signaling pathways involved in stable clot formation without inhibiting early clot formation, offering a new potential target for antiplatelet therapy.

Summary This study compares the heating and cooling times of and mass losses from meat joints in three systems: convective air, water immersion and pressure/vacuum. Cooling times were compared with the UK Department of Health (DoH, 1989) guidelines which state that joints should be cooled to 10°C or below in less than 150 min. Five types of joint were used: 50-mm thick (0.94kg) slabs of beef m. semitendinosus, 2.7kg rolled beef forequarter and silverside, 6.4kg rolled turkey and 7.1kg boned-out ham joints. Six replicates of all joints were cooked from 5 to 75°C (beef), 80°C (ham) or 85°C (turkey) and then cooled to a maximum internal temperature of 10°C. Average cooking times for convection, immersion and pressure were 263, 278 and 135 min, respectively. Average cooling times for convection, immersion and vacuum were 433, 298 and 50 min, respectively. Vacuum cooling times did not depend on joint size but may have been affected by porosity of the meat. The DoH guidelines could be achieved by immersion or vacuum methods when cooling the small beef slabs but only vacuum cooling was sufficiently rapid when cooling the larger joints. Mass losses due to pressure cooking (mean 37.4%) were greater than those during convection heating (28.9%). Vacuum cooling resulted in an average mass loss of 8.2% but losses were smaller after convection cooling (2.5%). Average total viable counts (log10 no. of bacteria cm−2) after processing and 12h storage were 1.0 at both the surface and interior.

Research costs money, innovation saves money, but good research produces innovations. That is our theme. When we speak of research needs, we need to think of the innovation that can result from research well done. Emphasis in highway research and particularly pavement management research for the past 20 years has been on short-term needs and implementation. Lack of support for intermediate and long-term efforts has left the industry, in 1994, facing many of the same problems it faced in 1970. Pavement management has progressed from a concept in the 1960s, to a working process in the 1970s, to a significant degree of implementation in the 1980s. The principles have been formulated and much has been learned from implementation experience at the federal, state or provincial, and local levels in various countries. By the year 2000 many more agencies will have adopted pavement management systems (PMSs). But the improvements in application and implementation have not been matched by improvements in the component technology of pavement management. For example, good, long-term performance prediction models are still unavailable at the time of writing. A substantial amount of innovation is necessary if we are to realize a standardized pavement management process with widespread or universal applicability. Such a PMS must have comprehensive technical underpinnings, but sufficient flexibility for tailoring to individual agency needs and resources. The required innovation and research should range from short-term problem solving to strategic efforts for technology and application improvements. An outline for a program of research to develop innovations that can achieve the desired improvements is presented. The changing nature of pavement research and the associated needs are reviewed; a standardized structure for pavement management is described within which the component activities, and research toward their improvement, can be incorporated. The major types of research that must be carried out for a successful program of improvements in pavement management technology and application are described, the major elements of successful pavement research are defined, and some of the opportunities for innovation and major advances in pavement technology and application of the process are identified.