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Researchers have evaluated the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the shelf life of fish products. However, there is little published basis for recommended gas mixtures. Most stud- jes have examined the effects of empirical evidence of gas mixes on particular species, but they cannot he used to predict the effect of different gas mixes on shelf life. Further, while the fish:gas ratio has been shown to be a key determinant of bacterial growth under MAP, most studies did not control this parameter. The aim of our research was to optimize gas mixes and fish:gas ratios for the MAP storage of king salmon. Flesh portions from defined fillet positions were placed on drip pads and boxed, giving a standardized nominal volume of 27.4 cm³ and an exposed surface area of 14.4 cm². Each sample was placed in a foil barrier bag contaming an oxygen absorber. Controlled volumes (0-100 cm³) of CO² or 100 cm³ of a 40:60 mixture of C02:N2 were then hand-injected through a septa. Bags were stored in melting ice (0 ± 0.05°C) and analyzed after 0, 8, 22 and 90 days for headspace CO2 and 02, EH, fish freshness meter (Distell, West Lothian, Scotland) reading, drip loss, texture, raw and cooked sensory characteristics, microbial numbers, bacterial flora composition, total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN) and ATP derivatives. High CO2 levels reduced bacterial counts, but resulted in poor cooked sensory characteristics due to carbonated flavor. We calculated the threshold level of CO2 at which this could be detected by our trained panel. We also determined the solubility of CO2 in salmon flesh and calculated Henry's constant to resolve the relationship between gas mixes and the fish:gas ratio. We now have the basis of a simple mathematical model optimizing these to give maximum shelf life and sensory acceptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few effective treatments for disseminated Aspergillus infections in dogs are available. Posaconazole has potent and broad-spectrum activity against Aspergillus spp., but its use has not yet been sufficiently evaluated in dogs., Hypothesis/objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of posaconazole for the treatment of naturally occurring disseminated Aspergillus infections in dogs., Animals: Ten client-owned dogs with disseminated aspergillosis., Methods: Prospective, nonrandomized, noncontrolled study with posaconazole administered to dogs at dosage of 5 mg/kg p.o. q12h. The primary veterinarian or the veterinary specialist caring for the dogs provided patient data., Results: The treatment response for dogs with disseminated disease while receiving posaconazole was defined as clinical remission (n = 4) and clinical improvement (n = 6). There was a high rate of relapse during treatment or after cessation of treatment in both groups, and most dogs died or were euthanized due to progressive disease. Excluding 1 dog concurrently treated with terbinafine that remains alive 5 years after diagnosis, the mean survival time for dogs was 241 days (range 44-516 days). Three other dogs lived >1 year after starting treatment. No clinically relevant adverse events or increases in serum liver enzyme activity occurred during treatment with posaconazole., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Posaconazole appears to be safe and well-tolerated for treatment of disseminated Aspergillus infections in dogs. Long-term survival >1 year is possible with prolonged treatment, but relapse is common., (Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)