Modeling the growth boundary of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat cooked meat products as a function of the product salt, moisture, potassium lactate, and sodium diacetate concentrations.

A central composite response surface design was used to determine the time to growth of Listeria monocytogenes as a function of four continuous variables: added sodium chloride (0.8 to 3.6%), sodium diacetate (0 to 0.2%), potassium lactate syrup (60% [wt/wt]; 0.25 to 9.25%), and finished-product moisture (45.5 to 83.5%) in ready-to-eat cured meat products. The design was repeated for ready-to-eat uncured meat products giving a fifth categorical variable for cure status. Products were stored at 4 degrees C. The results were modeled using a generalized regression approach. All five main effects, six two-factor interactions, and two quadratic terms were statistically significant. The model was used to show the boundary between growth and no-growth conditions at 4 degrees C using contour plots of time to growth. It was validated using independent challenge studies of cured and uncured products. Generally, the model predicted well, particularly for cured products, where it will be useful for establishing conditions that prevent the growth of L. monocytogenes. For uncured products, there was good agreement overall between predicted and observed times to growth, but the model is less thoroughly validated than for cured products. The model should initially only be used for screening of formulations likely to prevent growth of Listeria monocytogenes in uncured products, with recommendations subject to confirmation by challenge studies.

Modeling the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in cured ready-to-eat processed meat products by manipulation of sodium chloride, sodium diacetate, potassium lactate, and product moisture content.

A central composite second-order response surface design was employed to determine the influences of added sodium chloride (0.8 to 3.6%), sodium diacetate (0 to 0.2%), potassium lactate syrup (0.25 to 9.25%), and finished-product moisture (45.5 to 83.5%) on the predicted growth rate of Listeria monocytogenes in cured ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products. Increased amounts of both sodium diacetate (P < 0.11) and potassium lactate (P < 0.001) resulted in significant reductions in the growth rate constants of L monocytogenes. Increased finished-product moisture (P < 0.11) significantly increased growth rate constants. The nfluence of sodium chloride was not statistically significant. The second-order statistical factor for lactate was significant (P < 0.01), but all two-way interactions were not. In general, predicted growth rates exceeded actual growth rates obtained from inoculation studies of four cured RTE meat products (wieners, smoked-cooked ham, light bologna, and cotto salami). The final model will be useful to food technologists in determining formulations that will result in finished cured RTE meat products in which L. monocytogenes is not likely to grow.

Various forms of plasma cysteine and its metabolites in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

The thiol tripeptide glutathione (GSH) is particularly important as an antioxidative protector in the cells. GSH is also a form of storage and transport of cysteine. Under physiological conditions, the kidney plays an essential role in GSH biodegradation to free cysteine via gamma-glutamyl cycle and subsequently in further metabolism of this sulfur amino acid. Our aim was to assess to what degree renal insufficiency affects the level of various cysteine forms and its metabolites (sulfates and sulfane sulfur compounds) in the plasma, and whole blood GSH levels. The concentrations of all the above mentioned sulfur compounds were measured in plasma of patients with end stage renal failure (ESRF) before and after dialysis and in a group of healthy controls. In plasma of patients with ESRF before dialysis tendency towards significant elevation of cystine, protein-bound cysteine and sulfates levels was evident. Simultaneously, a decrease of plasma level of sulfane sulfur compounds, products of anaerobic sulfur metabolism, and whole blood GSH concentration was found. As a consequence, the ratio between the reduced cysteine and the total cysteine concentration was markedly decreased. The dialysis session restore this ratio to the value observed in plasma of control individuals. These findings indicate disturbances in the thiol-disulfide equilibrium and show a higher oxidation status in plasma of patients with ESRF than in healthy controls.

[Pregnancy in patients with end-stage renal failure on maintenance dialysis: case reports]. / Ciaza u pacjentek przewlekle dializowanych z powodu terminalnej niewydolnosci nerek--opisy przypadków.

Pregnancy in women with end-stage renal failure on maintenance dialysis is rare, and the chance of successful delivery is relatively low. In this paper we present two cases of women who conceived just prior to initiation of renal replacement therapy and the pregnancy was terminated successfully already on chronic dialysis treatment. The special attention was paid on the necessity of multi-disciplinary collaboration and the need for changes in regular dialysis schedule as the conditions crucial for successful delivery. In summary, the review of current literature dealing with mentioned problem was done.

[Comparison of anti-HBV vaccine efficacy given intradermally and intramuscularly in hemodialysis patients]. / Porównanie skutecznosci szczepienia anty-HBV metoda sródskórna i domiesniowa wsród chorych hemodializowanych.

Patients chronically hemodialysed are recognised as a group of especially high risk for viral hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Moreover, their hyporesponsiveness to vaccination is widely known. So establishment of highly effective vaccination protocol is indispensable. We are presenting 5 year prospective observations of results of hemodialysis patients anti-HBV vaccination. 36 patients were vaccinated intramuscularly (among them 30 were revaccinated intradermally) and 40 patients--only intradermally. We revealed that seroprotective level of anti-HBs antibodies should be at least 100 IU/ml. We disclosed, that intradermal anti-HBV vaccination--compared to intramuscular--was significantly more effective (77.5%--and including answer in the second vaccination cycle 85.0%--vs 38.9%) and, moreover, less amount of vaccine could be used (28.2 micrograms--and for patients answering barely in the second vaccination cycle 53.7 micrograms--vs 123 micrograms). However, after intradermal vaccination seroprotective antibodies level falls faster and should be checked every 3 months. Patients answering efficiently to vaccination--comparing to answering inefficiently--have significantly higher albumin level and are younger. Moreover, higher dialysis dose favors the successful long-time answer to vaccination.

[Permanent catheter as an alternative vascular access for hemodialysis]. / Cewnik permanentny jako alternatywny dostep naczyniowy do hemodializy.

There are presented own experiences in permanent catheter application as vascular access for hemodialysis. During 1.5 year in 15 patients 18 catheters were inserted. 3 catheters had to be exchanged during first month. Catheter malfunctions (complete obstruction, ventil sign) were observed 13 times in 5-in all patients catheter patients (ratio 3.88/1000 days). Streptokinase and Urokinase were applied 9 times-in all patients catheter patency were reinstituted (however, 2 patients had insufficient blood flows). Infective complications (local or general) occurred 4 times in 3 patients (ratio 1.55/1000 days)-there were no necessity for catheter removal. On the base of own experience, as well as literature, there are discussed indications for permanent catheter application as dialysis access, practical issue in the use and complications management.

[Results of the treatment of acute renal failure in 3 selected dialysis units in southern Poland 1981-1990]. / Wyniki leczenia ostrej niewydolnosci nerek w 3 wybranych osrodkach dializ Polski poludniowej w latach 1981-1990.

The results of the treatment of patients with acute renal failure (ARF) in dialysis units of Kraków, Nowy Sacz and Tarnów were estimated on the basis of prepared questionnaire. The increased number of patients treated because of ARF was demonstrated in the successive years of the study. The mortality rate in the tested group of patients remained about 27%. It depended on the cause of ARF and equalled to 26.7% in medical, 36.7% in surgical, 8% in obstetrical and 6.7 in urological patients, respectively.

[Secretory function of the stomach in workers employed at petroleum prospecting]. / Ocena czynnosci wydzielniczej zoladka u robotników zatrudnionych przy poszukiwaniach naftowych.

A group of 100 petroleum miners exposed to noise and vibration at intensities surpassing admissible standards, were subjected to a study. In the subjects basic and maximum posthistamine gastric secretion was evaluated, then stomach and duodenum were examined radiologically. Peptic ulcer was diagnosed in 10% examined, i.e., a percentage resembling the highest home data. It was found that mean values of maximum posthistamine secretion decreased with age. No influence of length of employment or accompanying chronic effect of noise, vibration and bad living conditions upon gastric secretion values (BAO and MAO), was found. Neither found one differences in the rate of occurrence of peptic ulcer and gastric secretion disturbances between the group of persons with diagnosed occupational diseases (vibration disease and occupational hearing impairment) and the group of the remaining subjects. Instead a significantly negative correlation between the age of workers with occupational hearing impairment and BAO and MAO values was observed.