Comparison of the Pseudalert™/Quanti-Tray® MPN test for the enumeration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cooling tower water with the ISO 16266 membrane filtration culture-based method.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ISO 16266 membrane filtration culture-based method for the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from cooling tower and related water samples and to compare the performance of the Pseudalert MPN method (Pseudalert™/Quanti-Tray® ) for the enumeration of P. aeruginosa with the ISO method. METHODS AND RESULTS: Samples were analysed by both methods and the generated data were analysed according to ISO 17994 and showed that Pseudalert resulted in significantly higher counts and a better recovery of P. aeruginosa than the ISO method for 10 and 100 ml sample volumes. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudalert represents a significant improvement in the enumeration of P. aeruginosa from cooling tower water and related samples. The advantages of Pseudalert became apparent in a better performance, a more than 10-fold higher upper quantification limit when using Quanti-Tray/2000 and a shorter incubation time with no requirement for further confirmation, resulting in a faster reporting of results. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The (Pseudalert/Quanti-Tray) MPN method offers a more efficient and sensitive test for enumerating P. aeruginosa from cooling tower waters, thus significantly improving management of occupational safety during cleaning and maintenance activities of cooling towers.

Evaluation of a most probable number method for the enumeration of Legionella pneumophila from potable and related water samples.

This study compared the performance of a novel MPN method (Legiolert/Quanti-Tray) with the ISO 11731-2 membrane filtration method for the enumeration of Legionella pneumophila from 100 ml potable water and related samples. Data from a multi-laboratory study analysed according to ISO 17994 showed that Legiolert™/Quanti-Tray® yielded on average higher counts of L. pneumophila. The Legiolert medium had a high specificity of 96·4%. The new method represents a significant improvement in the enumeration of L. pneumophila from drinking water-related samples. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Legionella pneumophila is an opportunistic pathogen of major concern. The current large volume quantitative method employs membrane filtration (MF) and selective culture on GVPC agar followed by confirmation of isolates by serology (ISO 11731-2) We present here the results of a multi-laboratory evaluation of a most probable number (MPN) in-situ confirmed method (Legiolert™/Quanti-Tray®). The results indicate that Legiolert/Quanti-Tray yielded on average higher counts of L. pneumophila than ISO 11731-2. This development significantly improves and simplifies the enumeration of L. pneumophila from potable water samples.

Bipartición embrionaria temprana: descripción de una serie de 9 casos / Early embryo bisection: Nine cases description

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: La tasa de bipartición temprana en concepciones naturales es de 0.4% de los nacimientos. Se ha descrito un aumento de estos casos en tratamientos de reproducción asistida, especialmente durante la transferencia en estadio de blastocisto. CASO CLÍNICO: se describen nueve casos retrospectivos (2014-2016) de pacientes a quienes se transfirió un embrión y se visualizaron dos sacos, o en las que se transfirieron 2 embriones y se visualizaron 3 sacos. En el periodo de estudio se transfirieron 3737 embriones: 1470 en fresco y 827 desvitrificados. Los 9 casos suponen una tasa de bipartición temprana embrionaria de 0.39% del total de las transferencias y 0.86% del total de los embarazos. CONCLUSIONES: no existe relación entre el riesgo de división embrionaria y la eclosión (hatching) asistida, ni entre la edad avanzada ovocitaria y la edad paterna. La transferencia de embrión único es la mejor opción en pacientes que reciben ovocitos de donantes jóvenes o participan en protocolos de FIV-ICSI.

Abstratc BACKGROUND: The cases in which the embryo divides in two identic embryos is causing real concerns in the treatments of assisted reproduction. The percentage of early bisection in natural conception is about 0.4% on life birth. There is noticed an increase of this cases in treatments of the assisted reproduction, especially when transferring in blastocyst stage. CASE REPORT: We have collected series of 9 cases in a retrospective way, between 2014-2016 in which we have transferred 1 embryo and we have visualized 2 sacs, and the cases in which we have transferred 2 embryos and we have visualized 3 sacs. This year we have transferred a total of 3737 embryos, 1470 fresh embryo transfers and 827 frozen embryo transfers. These 9 cases mean the 0.39% of early embryo division and the 0.86% of total of pregnancies. CONCLUSION: We didn't observe a relationship in the risk of embryo division with the hatching. Neither with advanced age of the eggs, non the father's age. The rate of division of the embryos in cycles of the assisted reproduction in our clinic using ICSI increase in comparison with the spontaneous gestations, howbeit it would be necessary to do more studies in order to prove this statement. We consider single embryo transfer the best practice in IVF in young women or donor eggs.

[Effect of symptom-related vs. distraction-focused attention on dysphoric mood]. / Zum Einfluss symptombezogener vs. ablenkender Aufmerksamkeitsfokussierung auf dysphorische Stimmung.

Within the framework of the "response styles theory" Nolen-Hoeksema (1991) argues that depressive episodes are prolonged or intensified by symptom-focused rumination. In contrast, depressed mood can be reduced by responses which focus the attention away from the symptoms of depression and its possible causes and consequences. In the present study these assumptions were examined under conditions derived from a critical analysis of earlier empirical studies. 70 students took part in the experiment. Depressed (n = 30) and non-depressed (n = 40) subjects were randomly assigned to either a symptom-focused or a distracting task. Self-report data were used to compare pre- and post-task mood. Results are mainly consistent with predictions. However, in contrast to the findings of Nolen-Hoeksema and her colleagues, no significant increase in depressed mood was observed in the symptom-focused condition and the empirical effect in the distracting condition was weaker than in previous studies using the same distracting task. These inconsistent findings are attributed to differences in the experimental settings. Theoretical and methodical implications are discussed.

Effects of emotion-related surface similarity in analogical problem solving.

In analogical problem solving, a source problem with a known solution is used to solve a target problem. The present study deals with one possible condition influencing the search for possible source problems (i.e., with similarities between source and target problems in the emotional connotation of the problem cover stories). Subjects were given six source problems-distractors as well as target-relevant problems-that were varied with respect to the emotional valence of the cover stories. Then one group of subjects (n = 32) was given a pleasant target problem, while the other group (n = 31) received an unpleasant target problem. Except for emotional valence the two target problems were identical. Subjects preferred those target-relevant source problems that were emotionally congruent with the target problem. The findings are interpreted within network theories of long-term memory, introducing emotional markers or emotion-concept nodes to represent the emotional connotation of the represented units. By controlling subjects' mood change after reading the (un)pleasant target-problem cover story, it could be ruled out that the observed results were due to a mood congruity effect of the type described by Bower (1981).

[Screening and diagnosis for eliminating renovascular hypertension. Value of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and color-coded duplex ultrasound diagnosis]. / Screening and Diagnostik zum Ausschluss einer renovaskulären Hypertonie. Stellenwert der 24-Stunden-Blutdruckmessung und der farbkodierten Duplexsonographie.

BACKGROUND: Direct renal angiography is still the method of choice for identification of renal artery stenosis. Newer non-invasive diagnostic methods include color coded duplex sonography and also ambulatory 24-h blood pressure monitoring, since in a large proportion of patients with secondary forms of hypertension the usual blood pressure fall during nighttime disappears. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective in-hospital study we investigated 86 patients with suspected renovascular hypertension. Circadian blood pressure was measured oscillometrically and color coded duplex sonography was performed immediately before direct renal angiography. RESULTS: Angiography revealed renal artery stenosis (> or = 50%) in 42 patients. This compared to a sensitivity of 92.9% and specificity of 91.7% for the use of sonography in those patients (70.4%) who could be adequately examined. Mean 24-h pressure values as well as standard deviations of blood pressure means as an indicator for blood pressure variability were not different in the 2 groups of patients, when all the data were analysed together and also when the data for nighttime and daytime were examined separately. The percent of blood pressure fall during nighttime was also not different in the 2 groups. In both groups 4 hypertensive patients had a blood pressure increase during nighttime. In 11 patients without renal artery stenosis a blood pressure fall of < 10% was observed, compared to 12 patients with renal artery stenosis. The circadian pattern of pulse rate was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring has a considerably lower diagnostic value for renal artery stenosis compared to angiography and also to color duplex sonography. This method therefore does not appear to be an appropriate screening approach for this kind of secondary hypertension. The color coded duplex sonography, however, seems to be the best non-invasive diagnostic method in those patients, who can be adequately examined.

Effect of water and bicarbonate loading in patients with chronic renal failure.

Animal studies suggest that alkalinization and increased intake of free water both serve to decrease the rate of progression in chronic renal failure. However, clinicians have been reluctant to apply either strategy because of concerns regarding volume overload and water intoxication. We tested the effects of 2 1 daily water supplementation, with either an electrolyte-poor or a HCO3-rich (47.5 mmol/1) water in 11 patients with chronic renal failure (creatinine clearance 10 +/- 5 ml/min). The patients were brought into balance on a diet containing 80 mmol/24 h Na+, 80 mmol/24 h Cl- and 70 mmol/24 h K+. After a 3-day equilibration period, the patients were randomized to one or the other regimen for 7 days. After a 3-day washout period, the alternate regimen was given for another 7 days. Neither regimen led to weight gain or hyponatremia. The supplemental 95 mmol/24 h HCO3- lowered the serum Cl- concentration and raised the serum HCO3- concentration, as well as the pH value, to normal. Creatinine clearance and protein excretion were not affected. Serum beta 2-microglobulin concentrations decreased with the NaHCO3-containing water. Na+/H(+)-antiporter activity was not consistently influenced since an order effect of the regimens was apparent. We conclude that 2 1/24 h water and NaHCO3 supplementation is well tolerated, causes no deleterious effects, and may evoke improvement in patients with chronic renal failure.

Alcoholism and carcinoma change the intracellular pH and activate platelet Na+/H+-exchange in men.

The occurrence of carcinoma in chronic alcoholics exceeds that of the general population. Cytoplasmic alkalinization, due to the influence of different factors on the transmembrane Na+/H+ exchange (NHE), has been put forward as a triggering event in cell growth and division. In accordance with these findings, the carcinogenic potential of NHE deficient cell types is reported to be diminished. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the intracellular pH and the NHE activity is altered in chronic alcoholics. Seventy-two Caucasian males were assigned to one of four groups: non-alcoholics without carcinoma, chronic alcoholics without carcinoma, non-alcoholics with carcinoma and chronic alcoholics with carcinoma. Alcoholism was diagnosed according to DSM-III-R. The groups did not differ in relation to basic patient characteristics, such as age and blood pressure. Intracellular calcium, pH and NHE in platelets were determined by spectrofluorometry before and after thrombin stimulation. In chronic alcoholics with carcinoma, the intracellular pH was significantly more alkaline and the NHE activity was elevated. In contrast, a decrease in intracellular pH associated with an increased activity of NHE and a more acidic set point was found in chronic alcoholics without carcinoma. Basal and thrombin stimulated intracellular Ca2+ did not differ between groups except in chronic alcoholics with carcinoma in whom a thrombin-induced increase of Ca2+ due to liberation of Ca2+ from intracellular stores was demonstrated. In chronic alcoholics with carcinoma, cytoplasmic alkalinization was observed and this may be an indication of an increase in cell proliferation. The possibility that the increased incidence of carcinomas in chronic alcoholics is related to the increased activity of NHE and whether this may be prevented by NHE inhibitors requires further investigation.

Color-coded duplex sonography for noninvasive diagnosis and grading of renal artery stenosis.

The accuracy of color-coded duplex sonography (CCDS) in screening hypertensive patients for renal artery stenosis (RAS) was assessed using a semi-quantitative waveform analysis. Our special aims were to separate between moderate and high grade stenoses and to evaluate the accuracy of the method in imaging both the whole course of the renal arteries and accessory renal arteries. Included in the prospective, angiographically controlled study were 135 consecutive patients with 268 renal arteries, of which 195 arteries (73%) could be visualized both proximally and distally by CCDS. Only three of 15 accessory renal arteries could be identified by CCDS. In 42 RAS > or = 50% sensitivity of CCDS was 93%, specificity 92%, and overall accuracy 92%. The sensitivity in identifying RAS > or = 75% was 92%, and none of the high grade stenoses were missed. Because of difficulties in visualizing the middle portion of the renal artery, we carefully examined this part of the artery in 116 additional patients. Whereas the proximal and the distal parts could be visualized in 77% of the renal arteries, signals from the middle third could be derived only in 60% on the right, and in 39% on the left side. Provided that the renal arteries were visualized both proximally and distally, a hemodynamically effective RAS could be excluded with high probability. Moreover, exact grading of high-grade stenoses was possible in all cases but one. An advantage of CCDS over conventional duplex sonography appears to be the time-saving examination. Since a low prevalence of RAS impairs the positive predictive value of CCDS, the examination should be reserved for patients with a strong clinical suspicion of renovascular hypertension.

The effect of cyclosporine on calcium, protein kinase C, and sodium-proton exchange in platelets.

Cyclosporine increases platelet aggregation as well as the risk of thromboembolism. To test the hypothesis that CsA stimulates platelets by activating cytosolic calcium [Ca2+]i and related mechanisms, we measured the effects of CsA on [Ca2+]i, protein kinase C (PKC), and sodium/proton (Na+/H+) exchange. [Ca2+]i was measured in human platelets with fura 2, PKC was determined by the phosphorylation of the endogenous 47 kDa protein, and Na+/H+ exchange was measured with BCECF after acidification of the platelets with propionic acid. CsA alone did not influence basal PKC activity in platelets. However, CsA augmented the thrombin-induced phosphorylation of the specific PKC substrate p47 in platelets in a dose-dependent fashion. CsA did not affect basal [Ca2+]i--however, it increased thrombin-induced calcium influx. The effect of CsA on PKC was not dependent on the CsA-induced calcium influx. CsA increased Na+/H+ exchange, which was blocked completely by a PKC inhibitor. Our results demonstrate that CsA directly augments PKC-dependent cellular mechanisms in platelets.

[Effect of emotional content and self reference of learning materials on recall performance]. / Einfluss von emotionalem Gehalt und Ichbezug des Lernmaterials auf die Behaltensleistung.

It is assumed that high affective value and high self-reference of learning material help to improve memory performance as these factors allow better memory consolidation (activation hypothesis) or better integration of the new material into existing knowledge structures (extent-of-processing hypothesis). To test this assumption, 60 subjects were shown 16 short advertising films characterized by low vs. high affective value and low vs. high self-reference. Both factors were varied within subjects. After the films had each been presented twice, subjects had to recall the product names and answer two questions to each film. Results showed for both dependent variables that films with high affective values were better remembered than films with low affective values. The same held true--though to a lower extent--with respect to self-reference. According to the expected linear trend, performance was best for material scoring high on affective value as well as on self-reference, while it was worst for material scoring low on both factors.

Renal acid-base excretion in normotensive salt-sensitive humans.

Reduced extracellular pH and bicarbonate levels recently have been reported in normotensive salt-sensitive subjects. To assess the possible role of altered renal acid-base handling in the perturbation of acid-base status in these individuals, we measured the renal acid-base excretion after an acute oral administration of either an alkali or acid load in normotensive salt-sensitive and salt-resistant men. Twenty-four young (22 to 29 years old), healthy male volunteers were placed on a low-salt diet (20 mmol NaCl per day) for 2 weeks with either 220 mmol NaCl or placebo added to the low-salt diet for 1 week each in a randomized single-blind crossover order. Salt sensitivity was defined as a significant drop in mean arterial pressure (> 3 mm Hg, mean of 60 readings taken on the seventh day of each diet, P < .05) during the low-salt diet. On the fifth and seventh days of each week, subjects were given an oral load of either sodium citrate (0.7 mmol/kg) or ammonium chloride (2.2 mmol/kg), respectively, in a randomized order, and arterial and urinary acid-base status was assessed at baseline and followed for 8 hours thereafter. According to the above definition, 13 subjects were considered salt sensitive. During the high-salt diet, mean arterial pressure was higher in the salt-sensitive than in the salt-resistant group (P < .01). Cumulative urinary bicarbonate excretion after the administration of sodium citrate was lower in the salt-sensitive than in the salt-resistant subjects during both the low-salt (46%, P < .001) and high-salt (32%, P < .01) diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Possibilities for integration of emotions in theoretical principles of cognitive psychology]. / Möglichkeiten der Integration von Emotionen in theoretische Ansätze der Kognitionspsychologie.

Different approaches to integrate emotion and cognition can be differentiated. On the one hand emotions can be part of an associative network of long-term memory (Bower, 1981; Bower & Cohen, 1982; Lang, 1979, 1984). On the other hand emotions are said to function as mediators that instigate different processing strategies (Fiedler, 1988; Isen, 1984, 1987; Kuhl, 1983 b). Both approaches can be integrated within the framework of ACT* (Anderson, 1983) assuming emotion nodes as parts of the declarative memory and emotion related productions as parts of the procedural memory (Spies & Hesse, 1986). A third approach claims that emotions change the amount of processing capacity available for task related processes (Ellis & Ashbrook, 1988; Kuhl, 1983 b; Spies & Hesse, 1986). The theoretical positions as well as related empirical results are discussed by referring to the literature as well as to some of our own data.

[Experimental induction of emotional conditions--alternatives to the Velten method]. / Experimentelle Induktion emotionaler Zustände--Alternativen zur Velten-Methode.

The technique most often used to induce emotion is based on self-referent statements read by the subjects (Velten, 1968). This technique is known to be of intermediate efficiency. Therefore film and hypnosis-like procedures were investigated as alternative techniques. Efficiency was tested using two selected scales of a mood questionnaire (SES by Hampel, 1977). The subjects were male and female students. Both alternative procedures allowed us to induce significant changes in Ss' moods. The film method was more efficient than the Velten-technique in inducing a negative mood, whereas it was equally efficient in inducing a positive mood. The hypnosis-like procedure, however, was not more efficient than the Velten-technique. Obviously film is a quite efficient and easy applicable alternative technique to induce moods.

Diagnostic procedure in renovascular hypertension.

Detection of a renal artery stenosis (RAS) as a cause of arterial hypertension is of great practical importance because dilatation of the stenosis frequently results in an improvement or cure of the hypertension. In recent years, a number of screening procedures aimed at diagnosing renovascular hypertension have been developed, e.g., duplex sonography of the renal arteries, determination of plasma renin activity, or renal scintigraphy following administration of captopril. The possibilities and limitations of these screening procedures are described here. The best method for detecting renal artery stenosis is angiography, which can now be performed on an outpatient basis, using thin catheters.

Salt sensitivity in young normotensive subjects is associated with a hyperinsulinemic response to oral glucose.

Insulin resistance associated with a hyperinsulinemic response to oral glucose intake has been found in patients with essential hypertension and is believed to play a role in inducing hypertension by causing renal sodium and water retention. We therefore examined whether salt-sensitive, young normotensives, assumed to be predisposed to essential hypertension, exhibit impaired glucose tolerance in a similar way. The plasma insulin and glucose response to oral glucose intake (75 g) was assessed in 23 healthy, lean, male volunteers ingesting either 20 mmol or 260 mmol NaCl/day for 6 days each in a single-blind randomized crossover study. Salt sensitivity was defined as a significant drop in mean arterial blood pressure greater than 3 mmHg (means of 30 readings in the supine subject; P less than 0.05) under the low-salt diet. Following the glucose load, plasma levels of both glucose and insulin were significantly higher (P less than 0.01) in the salt-sensitive (n = 10) compared with the salt-resistant subjects (n = 13) during the high-salt diet but not during the low-salt diet. Whereas in the salt-sensitive group glucose tolerance improved with dietary salt restriction (P less than 0.01), it deteriorated in the salt-resistant group (P less than 0.05). Following the glucose load under the high-salt diet, there was a significant drop in blood pressure in the salt-sensitive (P less than 0.005) but not the salt-resistant subjects. The hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic response in salt-sensitive subjects suggests that insulin resistance is present in these subjects prior to the development of hypertension and that it can be ameliorated by salt restriction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Experimental induction of emotional states--does addition of music improve self disclosure?]. / Experimentelle Induktion emotionaler Zustände--Verbessert die zusätzliche Darbietung von Musik die Wirksamkeit selbstbezogener Aussagen?

Two procedures to experimentally induce negative and neutral emotional states are compared: self-referent emotional statements (Velten, 1968) presented alone vs. combined with music. For female subjects selected according to their baseline mood, it could be shown that negative statements alone induced anger whereas in combination with music they evoked sadness, i.e. dependent on the procedure applied, the quality of the induced negative emotion changed. For the induction of a neutral state the combined procedure proved to be superior, especially to reduce a positive baseline mood.

[Effect of emotions on the choice of goals and actions]. / Einfluss von Emotionen auf die Ziel- und Handlungsauswahl.

The present paper concerns the influence negative emotions exert on motivational processes, i.e., on the selection of goals and corresponding actions. It is assumed that, in a negative emotional state, the goal to overcome this negative mood state takes precedence over the goal to succeed in a nonemotional task. Correspondingly, emotion-related activities should be preferred to task-related ones. In order to test this assumption, subjects in a negative and a neutral emotional state were given a series of activities, some suited for coping, some suited for task fulfilment. They were instructed to name (Experiment I) or to carry out (Experiment II) those activities they preferred at the very moment and to give a short reason for each choice. Results showed that subjects in a negative mood compared to those of the neutral control group were less occupied with the nonemotional task, but instead more frequently chose emotion-related activities with the explicit reason that these activities served to overcome their negative emotions.

Isolation and propagation of hepatitis A virus in hepatoma cell cultures.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) was isolated directly from human faeces in PLC/PRF/5 cells. In the first passage cell-bound and supernatant viruses were found by immune electron microscopy and by enzymeimmunoassay. Serial passaging of HAV in PLC/PRF/5 cells resulted in its adaptation to the cell line and in reduction of the incubation time. HAV was still detectable after 10 cell passages. Cell-bound as well as supernatant HAV were employed as antigens in anti HAV IgM-enzymeimmunoassay.