Dynamic and static shell properties of white and brown shell eggs exposed to modified pressure microcrack detection technology.

Dynamic and static shell properties of eggs provide important insight to egg quality. Understanding how processing and handling procedures affect both dynamic and static shell properties can enhance the safety and quality of eggs reaching the consumer. A study was conducted to determine if dynamic shell properties were altered due to modified pressure microcrack detection technology exposure in brown and white shell eggs. Three replicates of 100 eggs each of brown and white retail shell eggs were conducted. Dynamic stiffness (K(dyn)) and egg weight were monitored immediately before and after microcrack detection. No changes in K(dyn) or egg weight were detected for either shell color. Static compression shell strength and deformation were subsequently monitored and a correlation analysis conducted. A strong correlation (R(2) = 0.53; P < 0.0001) between K(dyn) and static compression shell strength was seen for extra large white shell eggs. A smaller (R(2) = 0.31; P < 0.0001) correlation was found for large brown eggs. The use of modified pressure microcrack detection technology did not affect shell dynamic properties.

Salmonella contamination in shell eggs exposed to modified-pressure imaging for microcrack detection.

Microcracks in egg shells are a food safety risk and are difficult for professional human graders to detect. Modified-pressure imaging technology with 99.6% accuracy has been developed to detect microcracks. This study was conducted to determine whether the microcrack detection system would increase penetration of Salmonella into egg contents or lead to cross-contamination within the system. Thirty dozen grade A large white retail eggs were used for each of 3 replicates. Cracked eggs were removed and 72 eggs/replicate were dip inoculated in buffered peptone water containing 10(5) cfu/mL of nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium (ST), whereas 144 eggs were dipped in sterile buffered peptone water. All eggs were incubated overnight at 25°C before imaging. Forty-five eggs of each treatment were imaged in the following order: control, inoculated, control. Imaged and nonimaged eggs from each treatment were used for cultural analysis of a shell rinse, shell emulsion, and contents sample for each egg. The ST levels were monitored on brilliant green sulfa agar with 200 mg/L of nalidixic acid. Egg contents were also enriched to determine the prevalence of ST in low levels. Salmonella Typhimurium was not detected on or in any of the control eggs, including the eggs imaged after the inoculated eggs. The highest level of ST was detected in inoculated shell emulsions (4.79 log cfu/mL). No differences in ST levels were found for any sample location between imaged and nonimaged inoculated eggs. Therefore, the modified-pressure imaging system for microcrack detection did not result in microbial cross-contamination or increase the level of microbial penetration in inoculated eggs. The imaging system can be used to assess eggs for cracks without negative food safety implications.

Modified pressure imaging for egg crack detection and resulting egg quality.

Cracks in the shell surface compromise the primary barrier for external microbial contamination of the egg. Microcracks are very small cracks in the shell surface that are difficult to detect by human graders. New technology has been developed that uses modified pressure and imaging to detect microcracks in eggs. Research has shown the system to have an accuracy of 99.6% in detecting both cracked and intact eggs. A study was undertaken to determine if quality differences existed between modified pressure imaged and control eggs during extended cold storage. Three replicates were conducted with eggs stored at 4 degrees C for 5 wk with weekly quality testing. The physical quality factors monitored were Haugh units, albumen height, egg weight, shell strength, vitelline membrane strength and elasticity, and whole egg total solids. All measurements were conducted on individual eggs (12/treatments per replicate) each week with the exception of whole egg solids, which were determined from 3 pools (4 eggs each)/treatment per replicate each week. Percentage of whole egg total solids was the only significant difference (P < 0.05) between treatments (23.65% modified pressure imaged and 23.47% control). There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) for egg weight between replicates (60.82, 58.02, and 60.58 g for replicates 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Therefore, imaging eggs in the modified pressure system for microcrack detection did not alter egg quality during extended cold storage. Utilizing the modified pressure crack detection technology would result in fewer cracked eggs reaching the consumer, consequently enhancing food safety without affecting product quality.

Movements execution in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

We evaluated the relationship between motor and neuropsychological deficits in subjects affected by amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) and early Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Kinematics of goal-directed movement of aMCI and AD subjects were compared to those of age-matched control subjects. AD showed a slowing down of motor performance compared to aMCI and controls. No relationships were found between motor and cognitive performances in both AD and aMCI. Our results suggest that the different motor behaviour between AD and aMCI cannot be related to memory deficits, probably reflecting the initial degeneration of parietal-frontal circuits for movement planning. The onset of motor dysfunction in early AD could represent the transition from aMCI to AD.

No association between the cystatin C gene polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease: a case-control study in an Italian population.

Cystatin C is an amyloidogenic protein found together with beta-amyloid in cerebral arteriolar walls of both patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and conghopilic amyloid angiopathy. Several findings implicate cystatin C in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. Recent genetic association studies proposed cystatin C gene (CST3) as a susceptibility factor for AD, although other reports did not replicate this finding. We conducted a case-control study including 192 probable AD cases and 192 age- and sex-matched controls to test the association between CST3 and AD. Possible interaction between CST3 and age at onset of AD or apolipoprotein E (APOE) was also examined. No significant differences in CST3 genotype or allele frequencies between cases and controls was observed, while the risk of AD increased in subjects carrying the APOE epsilon4 allele (OR 3.5, 95% CI [2.1-5.9]). There was no interaction between CST3 with age or APOE. Our findings do not support a role of CST3 gene in Italian sporadic AD.

Cognitive impairment in Behçet's disease patients without overt neurological involvement.

We investigated the prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) without overt neurological involvement. The influence of disease duration, disease activity, prednisone dosage, and anxiety and depression levels was evaluated. Twenty-six consecutive BD outpatients and 26 healthy controls matched for age, education and sex completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery including tests of memory, visuospatial and constructional abilities, language, attention and psychomotor speed, non-verbal reasoning and executive functioning. The Hamilton scales for anxiety and depression were administered. Disease activity was assessed using the Behçet's Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF). Compared to controls, BD patients were significantly impaired on tasks evaluating long-term verbal and non-verbal memory, and visuospatial skills. In addition, BD patients were significantly more anxious and depressed than controls. Cognitive impairment was evident in 46.1% of BD patients compared with none of control subjects (p<0.0001), with memory representing the cognitive domain most affected. Both high disease activity (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0-1.5, p<0.04) and high prednisone dosage (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0-1.7, p<0.03) were independently associated with cognitive impairment in BD after adjustment for demographic variables. Cognitive impairment, involving mainly memory functions, occurs frequently in BD patients. It may occur independently of clinically overt neurological involvement, and is more common in patients with an active disease and in those receiving prednisone.

No association between Glu298Asp endothelial nitric oxide synthase polymorphism and Italian sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

A great amount of evidence suggests that neuroinflammation may be a major pathogenetic mechanism in the pathophysiology of sporadic Alzheimer's Disease (sAD). Recently, polymorphisms in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) gene have been associated to late onset Alzheimer's Disease in a British population. However, other groups failed to replicate this finding in Asiatic and Caucasian populations. We conducted a case-control study including a clinically well-defined group of 149 sAD patients and 149 age and sex matched controls to test the association between NOS3 Glu298Asp polymorphism and sAD in an ethnically homogenous Italian population. All subjects were genotyped at NOS3 and apolipoprotein E. No significant difference was found in either allele or genotype frequencies between cases and controls, even after stratification for Apolipoprotein E4 carrier status. The NOS3 Glu298Asp polymorphism does not appear to influence the risk of developing sAD in an Italian population.

Lack of association between angiotensin converting enzyme polymorphism and sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

Epidemiological and pathogenetic evidences suggest a strong association between vascular risk factors and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD). In agreement with the vascular hypothesis of AD, the role of various candidate genes for atherosclerosis has been investigated, leading to conflicting results. In order to clarify the significance of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism in a group of patients with sAD, we conducted a case-control study including 149 cases and 149 age and sex matched controls. All subjects were genotyped for ACE and Apolipoprotein E (APOE). There were no significant differences in ACE genotype or allele frequencies between cases and controls, even after stratification for APOE4 carrier status. Our data suggest that the ACE I/D polymorphism is not associated to genetic susceptibility in sAD patients.

Migraine headaches in adolescents: a five-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Longitudinal studies of juvenile migraine are very few. We investigated the prevalence and evolution over 5 years of migraine without aura (MWOA) and migraineous disorder (MD) in an adolescent population. METHODS: Sixty-four subjects (34 girls and 30 boys, mean age 17.3+/-1.1 years) out of 80 selected in our 1989 epidemiological survey were included in the study. The diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society were used in both studies. RESULTS: Thirty-two of 64 subjects (50%) had MWAO, 18 (28.1%) had MD, and 14 (21.9%) had headache not classifiable (HnC). Our results show that MWOA persisted in 56.2%, converted to MD or HnC in 9.4% and 3.1% of cases, respectively, changed to episodic tension-type headache (ETTH) in 12.5%, and remitted in 18.8%. MD persisted in 11.1%, converted to MWOA or HnC in 27.8% and 5.5% of cases, respectively, changed to ETTH in 11.1%, and remitted in 44.5%. HnC persisted in 14.3%, converted to MD or MWOA in 21.4% and 14.3% of cases, respectively, changed to ETTH in 14.3%, and remitted in 35.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that juvenile-onset MWOA and MD may change in character over time, generally with a favorable prognosis.

A double-blind randomized controlled trial and economic evaluation of transurethral resection vs contact laser vaporization for benign prostatic enlargement: a 3-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of contact laser prostate surgery in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and contact laser prostatectomy was conducted, with an economic evaluation of both procedures. The primary outcome measure was the change in the American Urologic Association symptom score, with secondary outcome measures being the peak urinary flow rate, treatment-related complications, re-operation rate and health service costs. RESULTS: The perioperative blood loss and transfusion requirements were statistically significantly lower for laser prostatectomy than for TURP. There was no clinically significant difference between TURP and contact laser prostatectomy in the mean change in symptom scores and flow rates. There were distinct perioperative advantages in favour of the contact laser treatment, but some disadvantages in terms of re-catheterization and re-operation rates. CONCLUSIONS: Contact laser prostatectomy is a valid treatment for benign prostatic hypertrophy. The performance of contact laser prostatectomy as day-case surgery would have cost advantages to the National Health Service.

The Oxford Laser Prostate Trial: a double-blind randomized controlled trial of contact vaporization of the prostate against transurethral resection; preliminary results.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of contact laser vaporization and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 148 patients with clinical benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) who were recruited and allocated randomly to undergo either TURP (72 patients) or laser ablation of the prostate (76 patients). The outcome was assessed using the American Urological Association (AUA -7) symptom score after 1 and 3 months as the primary measure and by urinary flow rates, haematological factors and the duration of hospital stay and length of catheterization. RESULTS: With 90% statistical power, the results at 3 months showed no clinical or statistical difference between the treatments in change in AUA symptom score. A lower blood loss, hospital stay and duration of catheterization significantly favoured the laser treatment, although the failure rate of trial without catheter and the rate of re-operation were higher after laser treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These early data are encouraging for this technique, although the outcome after one year requires evaluation before advocating the widespread uptake of this method.

The Oxford Laser Prostate Trial: economic issues surrounding contact laser prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the economic implications of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and contact-laser vaporization of the prostate (with the SLT system) using data obtained from a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: All aspects of management before, during and after surgery on 102 patients, followed up for 3 months, were costed and analysed. Based on the data from the trial, the mean costs were calculated. A sensitivity analysis was then performed to examine the effect of changes in some of the relevant variables. The mean difference in cost between laser treatment and TURP was plotted against the cost of laser consumables, assuming a 5% re-operation rate for both operations at 5 years and a 5% discount rate. A range of laser re-operation rates was compared with the mean difference in costs, assuming a hospital stay of one night and two district-nurse visits. Other assumptions on discounts and re-operation rates, based on collected data, were also tested. RESULTS: TURP will remain more economical until the cost of laser consumables is reduced to 20% of the current list price, or a hospital stay of one night is introduced. CONCLUSIONS: The costs of contact-laser vaporization of the prostate are likely to exceed the costs of TURP unless laser treatment is accompanied by a more active approach to post-operative management, including a hospital stay of one night and, if necessary, the removal of the patient's catheter at home by a district nurse.

The Oxford Laser Prostate Trial: sexual function data from a randomized controlled clinical trial of contact laser prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of contact laser vaporization prostatectomy and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) on sexual function and to examine their association with treatment satisfaction. METHODS: Data on sexual function were collected pre-operatively and 3 months after contact laser vaporization prostatectomy or TURP. The sexual outcome was examined in relation to satisfaction with treatment and quality of life. RESULTS: A wide variation in sexual function was seen at baseline with overall 45% of the patients being impotent during the previous year and 49% claiming to not always have erections when stimulated 1 month prior to surgery. At 3 months postoperatively, 4% of the laser and 3% of the TURP patients who were previously potent were now impotent. There were no statistically significant associations between preoperative or postoperative (3 months) sexual function and either age, preoperative catheterization, or prostate volume. CONCLUSION: The impotence rate 1 month prior to surgery is higher than in previous reports, and the impotence rate after contact laser prostatectomy in this sample size is similar to that seen following TURP.

The Oxford Laser Prostate Trial: sensitivity to change of three measures of outcome.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the sensitivity to change of outcome measures in a double-blind randomized controlled trial of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and contact laser prostatectomy. METHODS: A total of 152 patients were randomized to TURP or contact laser prostatectomy using the Surgical Laser Technology (SLT) system. Preoperative data were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire containing the American Urological Association (AUA-7) symptom score, the bothersome score (benign prostatic hyperplasia impact index), and the Short Form-36 health status questionnaire (SF-36). Follow-up was at 1 and 3 months. Effect size scores were calculated to indicate the extent of change from baseline to follow-up. RESULTS: Data were available on 148 patients: 72 received laser therapy and 76 received TURP. Mean change in AUA-7 score at 3 months was 7.3 in the laser arm, compared with 11.9 in the TURP arm (P < 0.05). Furthermore, substantial change was detected in both groups on the bothersome score. However, very few significant differences in SF-36 dimension scores from baseline to 3 months were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The SF-36 at both baseline and follow-up indicated a similar level of health status as that reported in the general population. Subsequently, the measure did not improve on any dimensions. Our data support the claim of some researchers that shorter disease-specific indices are vital to the evaluation of treatment regimens in clinical trials, especially when the general health of the patients is similar to that of the population.