Engineering the surface chemistry of lead chalcogenide nanocrystal solids to enhance carrier mobility and lifetime in optoelectronic devices.

We introduce a stepwise, hybrid ligand-exchange method for lead chalcogenide nanocrystal (NC) thin films using the compact-inorganic ligand thiocyanate and the short organic ligand benzenediothiolate. Spectroscopic and device measurements show that hybrid exchange enhances both carrier mobility and lifetime in NC thin films. The increased mobility-lifetime product achieved by this method enables demonstration of optoelectronic devices with enhanced power conversion and quantum efficiency.

Final results of phase II trial of doxorubicin HCl liposome injection followed by bexarotene in advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: High response rates for doxorubicin HCl liposome injection (DLI) in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) have been reported with vague criteria until recently. Approximately 50% of CTCL patients respond to bexarotene (Bex). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A phase II trial was carried out to clarify the true overall response rate (ORR) for DLI and to assess the role of sequential Bex. Patients were treated with DLI 20 mg/m(2) i.v. every 2 weeks for 16 weeks (8 doses) followed by 16 weeks with Bex 300 mg/m(2) orally. Response assessments were carried out after 16 (DLI) and 32 weeks (Bex). Skin responses were measured by the modified Severity-Weighted Assessment Tool (mSWAT) and the Composite Assessment of Index Lesion Severity (CA). RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were treated: stage IV (22, 8 with Sézary syndrome), IIB (10), earlier stage refractory to skin-directed therapies or radiation therapy (5). For 34 assessable patients: ORR 14/34 [41%: partial response (PR) 12, clinical complete response (CCR) 2]. Maximum responses were all seen after 16 weeks DLI. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5 months. There were 22 deaths: 21 of disease and 1 of heart failure. Twenty-seven grade 3 and 5 grade 4 toxic events were observed. CONCLUSION(S): With strict criteria, DLI ORR is among the highest reported for single agents in CTCL. Sequential Bex did not increase the response rate or duration.

Peracetic acid is effective for controlling fungus on channel catfish eggs.

Peracetic acid (PAA) is a relatively new compound suggested for use to treat pathogens in aquaculture. It is approved for use in Europe, but not in the United States. This study determined the effectiveness of PAA for fungus control on channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), eggs. The study consisted of five PAA concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20mgL(-1) ) and an untreated control in a flow-through system. A single spawn was used for each replication (N =4). Eggs were treated twice daily until the embryos developed eyes. When hatching was complete for all viable eggs, fry were counted to determine the percent survival in each treatment. Fungal growth was severe in the untreated controls resulting in 11% survival. Treatments of 2.5, 5 and 10mgL(-1) PAA were significantly different from the controls (P<0.05). The highest percent survival of hatched fry was with 5mgL(-1) PAA administered twice daily; the 2.5mgL(-1) PAA treatment had slightly less survival, but gives a higher margin of safety in case of treatment error. Very little fungus was present in treatments receiving 2.5mgL(-1) PAA or higher, and concentrations of 15 and 20mgL(-1) PAA were toxic to the eggs. The mean survivals in the 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20mgL(-1) PAA treatments were 11%, 60%, 63%, 62%, 32% and 0%, respectively. Therefore, PAA may be a compound that merits further investigations regarding its use in U.S. aquaculture.

Extranodal MALT Lymphoma of the Right Triceps Muscle following Influenza Vaccine Injection: A Rare Case with an Interesting Presentation.

The study describes a case of a 67-year-old female who developed a Stage I E marginal zone lymphoma of the right triceps muscle 1 month after influenza vaccination at the same site. She was treated with single modality, involved field radiation therapy (IFRT) to 4000 cGy in 20 fractions with excellent response and no evidence of disease after one year followup.

Chemotherapy only for localized Hodgkin lymphoma.

Radiation therapy (RT) alone and more recently in combination with chemotherapy (combined modality therapy; CMT) has been the cornerstone of curative treatment for early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) for over 40 years. Because of increasing awareness of the late morbidity and mortality associated with RT, recent treatment regimens have attempted to limit its use. Chemotherapy only has been demonstrated to be a treatment option for most patients with localized HL. Current clinical trials have targeted subgroups of such patients who may be at an increased risk of recurrence for the addition of limited RT to chemotherapy.

Determination of water quality variables, endotoxin concentration, and Enterobacteriaceae concentration and identification in southern High Plains dairy lagoons.

The objectives of this study were to determine the concentration of endotoxin, determine 20 water quality variables, and identify and enumerate fungal and bacterial pathogens from United States southern High Plains dairy lagoons and control lakes during summer and winter. Water samples were collected in triplicate from the north, south, east, and west quadrants of each body of water. The mean (+/- SEM) winter dairy lagoon endotoxin concentration was significantly higher (9,678+/-1,834 ng/mL) than the summer concentration (3,220+/-810 ng/mL). The mean endotoxin concentration of the 2 control lakes (summer: 58.1+/-8.8 ng/mL; winter: 38.6+/-4.2 ng/mL) was significantly less than that of the dairy lagoons. Two hundred-one Salmonella enterica spp. isolates were identified, 7 serovars were recovered from the dairy lagoons, and 259 Salmonella ssp. were identified from 5 other dairy locations (milk barn, ditch effluent, settling basin, feed alley pad flush, and center pivots). Twenty-eight Salmonella spp. were identified from center pivot water. Escherichia coli O157:H7 pathogens were isolated from other dairy locations but not from lagoons. Neither Salmonella spp. nor E. coli O157:H7 were identified from control lakes. Enterobacteriaceae opportunistic pathogens were isolated from both dairies and control lakes. Important mesophilic and thermophilic catabolic (to manure biosolids) fungal isolates were identified from dairy effluent locations, but no thermophilic fungal isolates were cultured from the control lakes. Adequate curing of green forage following center pivot irrigation is important to kill lagoon water enteric pathogens, even though the lagoon water is mixed with fresh water. Recirculating lagoon water to flush the feed alley pad, where cows stand while eating, to remove manure and using lagoon water to abate dairy dust in loafing pens and unimproved dairy roads is inconsistent with good environmental practice management.

Stanford V program for locally extensive and advanced Hodgkin lymphoma: the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center experience.

BACKGROUND: The Stanford group has reported excellent results with the Stanford V regimen for patients with bulky and/or advanced Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). However, Gobbi reported markedly inferior failure-free survival (FFS) comparing Stanford V to other regimens but included major deviations from the original program. We retrospectively examined whether treatment at our institution carefully following Stanford V guidelines would confirm the original Stanford outcome data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From June 1995 to May 2002, 126 patients with either locally extensive or advanced HL were treated with the 12-week Stanford V chemotherapy program followed by 36-Gy involved-field radiotherapy to sites initially > or =5 cm and/or to macroscopic splenic disease. Overall, 26% had stage IV disease and 20% had international prognostic score (IPS) > or =4. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival, progression-free survival (PFS), FFS, and freedom from second relapse (FF2R) were determined. RESULTS: The 5- and 7-year OS were 90% and 88%, respectively. The 5-year FFS was 78%. IPS > or =4 was a significant independent predictor of worse OS and PFS. The FF2R was 64% at 3 years. CONCLUSION: Stanford V with appropriate radiotherapy is a highly effective regimen for locally extensive and advanced HL.

Ambient and indoor particulate aerosols generated by dairies in the southern High Plains.

The objectives were to quantify and size ambient aerosolized dust in and around the facilities of 4 southern High Plains dairies of New Mexico and to determine where health of workers might be vulnerable to particulate aerosols, based on aerosol concentrations that exceed national air quality standards. Ambient dust air samples were collected upwind (background) and downwind of 3 dairy location sites (loafing pen boundary, commodity, and compost field). The indoor milking parlor, a fourth site, was monitored immediately upwind and downwind. Aerosolized particulate samples were collected using high-volume sequential reference air samplers, laser aerosol monitors, and cyclone air samplers. The overall (main effects and estimable interactions) statistical general linear model statement for particulate matter (PM(10); particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of up to 10 microm) and PM(2.5) resulted in a greater mean concentration of dust in the winter (PM(10) = 97.4 +/- 4.4 microg/m(3); PM(2.5) = 32.6 +/- 2.6 microg/m(3)) compared with the summer (PM(10) = 71.9 +/- 5.0 microg/m(3); PM(2.5) = 18.1 +/- 1.2 microg/m(3)). The upwind and downwind boundary PM(10) concentrations were significantly higher in the winter (upwind = 64.3 +/- 9.5 microg/m(3); downwind = 119.8 +/- 13.0 microg/m(3)) compared with the summer (upwind = 35.2 +/- 7.5 microg/m(3); downwind = 66.8 +/- 11.8 microg/m(3)). The milking parlor PM(10) and PM(2.5) concentration data were significantly higher in the winter (PM(10) = 119.5 +/- 5.8 microg/m(3); PM(2.5) = 55.3 +/- 5.8microg/m(3)) compared with the summer (PM(10) = 88.6.0 +/- 5.8 microg/m(3); PM(2.5) = 21.0 +/- 2.1 microg/m(3)). Personnel should be protected from high aerosol concentrations found at the commodity barn, compost field, and milking parlor during the winter.

Evaluation of potassium permanganate against an experimental subacute infection of Flavobacterium columnare in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque).

An experiment was performed to evaluate the efficacy of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as a prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of an experimental subacute infection of Flavobacterium columnare in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. Fish were cutaneously abraded and divided into five treatment groups: (i) challenged by waterborne exposure to F. columnare and not treated with KMnO4 (positive control), (ii) challenged and simultaneously treated with KMnO4, (iii) challenged and treated with KMnO4 at 1, 6 and 9 days post-challenge, (iv) not challenged and treated with KMnO4 at 1, 6 and 9 days post-challenge (first negative control) and (v) not challenged and not treated (second negative control). The dosing of KMnO4 was 2.0 mg L(-1) above the potassium permanganate demand for 2 h duration. The survival of the group challenged and simultaneously treated with KMnO4 (99%) was significantly higher than the positive control (78%) and was not significantly different from the negative control groups. The challenged fish treated with KMnO4 post-challenge had 7% higher survival than the positive control (85% compared with 78%), but that difference was not statistically significant. The results demonstrate that KMnO4 has a clear prophylactic value but probably a marginal therapeutic value once the infection has established.

Heat stability of chaetoglobosins A and C.

Chaetomium globosum is commonly found in water-damaged buildings and produces the mycotoxins chaetoglobosin A and chaetoglobosin C (Ch-A and Ch-C, respectively). While attempting to purify Ch-A and Ch-C, we observed that these mycotoxins were broken down after heating. The objective of this study was to determine the temperature and the amount of time necessary to break down Ch-A and Ch-C. We demonstrated that the amounts of Ch-A were significantly reduced when exposed to 75 degrees C for 24 h and 100 degrees C for 90, 120, or 150 min. Under the same conditions, the levels of Ch-C were also lower (although not significantly). At 175 degrees C, no Ch-A was detected after 15 min and Ch-C was significantly reduced after 30 min. Our findings will aid other researchers who work with these mycotoxins in the future.

Maintaining the dose intensity of ICE chemotherapy with a thrombopoietic agent, PEG-rHuMGDF, may confer a survival advantage in relapsed and refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

INTRODUCTION: HDT/ASCT is standard for relapsed and refractory DLCL patients responding to second-line chemotherapy. We incorporated a thrombopoietic agent into the ICE chemotherapy program to potentially: decrease platelet associated toxicities, augment stem cell collection and maintain dose intensity. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase I/II trial examines PEG-rHuMGDF versus placebo with ICE chemotherapy. Phase I compared three cohorts and defined a clinically effective dose (CED). Phase II evaluated the CED versus placebo. Outcome measures included safety, hematological end-points, stem cell collection and the impact of dose-intensity on outcome. RESULTS: Forty-one patients with primary refractory (16) or relapsed DLCL (25) were treated; Response rates for evaluable patients are: 75% (12/16) for placebo and 82% (18/22) for PEG-rHuMGDF. PEG-rHuMGDF treated patients had significantly less grade IV thrombocytopenia, higher median platelet nadirs, and less platelet transfusion per cycle. ICE dose intensity was improved with PEG-rHuMGDF versus placebo: 75 versus 42% (P = 0.008). At 8.5 years median follow-up, overall and event-free survival are 47 and 31%, respectively. Patients treated on PEG-rHuMGDF versus placebo had improved survival (59 versus 31%, P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: PEG-rHuMGDF ameliorated thrombocytopenia, improved platelet recovery, and maintained ICE dose intensity. Potential survival advantages conferred by maintaining dose intensity require validation with newer thrombopoietic agents.

An indoor air quality study of an alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) holding facility.

An environmental microbiologic investigation was conducted in an alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) holding facility in a zoo in the southeastern U.S. The facility had housed five alligators between March 1999 and February 2005. In the exhibit, one alligator died and all experienced poor health. It was hypothesized that environmental microbial contamination was associated with these issues. Samples were collected for fungal identification and quantification, microcystin analysis, and airborne mycotoxins. Analyses of air and water were conducted and an examination of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system (HVAC) for design, maintenance, and operating issues was made. Two control sites, a facility for false gharials (Tomistoma schlegelii) and an off-site alligator breeding facility, were also tested. Morbidity and mortality records were examined for all sites. Results showed that, compared to the control sites, the test alligator facility and its HVAC system were extensively contaminated with a range of fungi. Nearly all sampled surfaces featured fungal growth. There were also significantly higher counts of Penicillium/Aspergillus-like and Chrysosporium-like spores in the air (P < 0.004). The design, maintenance, and operation of the HVAC system were all inadequate, resulting in poorly conditioned and mold-contaminated air being introduced to the facility. Morbidity records revealed solitary pulmonary disorders over time in three alligators, with one dying as a result. The other two alligators suffered from general malaise and a range of nonspecific symptoms. The control facilities had no morbidity or mortality issues. In conclusion, although no causal links could be demonstrated because of the nature of the morbidity data, environmental mold contamination appeared to be associated with the history of morbidity and mortality in the alligator exhibit.

Detection of airborne Stachybotrys chartarum macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins in the indoor environment.

The existence of airborne mycotoxins in mold-contaminated buildings has long been hypothesized to be a potential occupant health risk. However, little work has been done to demonstrate the presence of these compounds in such environments. The presence of airborne macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins in indoor environments with known Stachybotrys chartarum contamination was therefore investigated. In seven buildings, air was collected using a high-volume liquid impaction bioaerosol sampler (SpinCon PAS 450-10) under static or disturbed conditions. An additional building was sampled using an Andersen GPS-1 PUF sampler modified to separate and collect particulates smaller than conidia. Four control buildings (i.e., no detectable S. chartarum growth or history of water damage) and outdoor air were also tested. Samples were analyzed using a macrocyclic trichothecene-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ELISA specificity was tested using phosphate-buffered saline extracts of the fungal genera Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Memnoniella, Penicillium, Rhizopus, and Trichoderma, five Stachybotrys strains, and the indoor air allergens Can f 1, Der p 1, and Fel d 1. For test buildings, the results showed that detectable toxin concentrations increased with the sampling time and short periods of air disturbance. Trichothecene values ranged from <10 to >1,300 pg/m3 of sampled air. The control environments demonstrated statistically significantly (P < 0.001) lower levels of airborne trichothecenes. ELISA specificity experiments demonstrated a high specificity for the trichothecene-producing strain of S. chartarum. Our data indicate that airborne macrocyclic trichothecenes can exist in Stachybotrys-contaminated buildings, and this should be taken into consideration in future indoor air quality investigations.

Effect of chlorine dioxide gas on fungi and mycotoxins associated with sick building syndrome.

The growth of indoor molds and their resulting products (e.g., spores and mycotoxins) can present health hazards for human beings. The efficacy of chlorine dioxide gas as a fumigation treatment for inactivating sick building syndrome-related fungi and their mycotoxins was evaluated. Filter papers (15 per organism) featuring growth of Stachybotrys chartarum, Chaetomium globosum, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Cladosporium cladosporioides were placed in gas chambers containing chlorine dioxide gas at either 500 or 1,000 ppm for 24 h. C. globosum was exposed to the gas both as colonies and as ascospores without asci and perithecia. After treatment, all organisms were tested for colony growth using an agar plating technique. Colonies of S. chartarum were also tested for toxicity using a yeast toxicity assay with a high specificity for trichothecene mycotoxins. Results showed that chlorine dioxide gas at both concentrations completely inactivated all organisms except for C. globosum colonies which were inactivated an average of 89%. More than 99% of ascospores of C. globosum were nonculturable. For all ascospore counts, mean test readings were lower than the controls (P < 0.001), indicating that some ascospores may also have been destroyed. Colonies of S. chartarum were still toxic after treatment. These data show that chlorine dioxide gas can be effective to a degree as a fumigant for the inactivation of certain fungal colonies, that the perithecia of C. globosum can play a slightly protective role for the ascospores and that S. chartarum, while affected by the fumigation treatment, still remains toxic.

Efficacy of chlorine dioxide as a gas and in solution in the inactivation of two trichothecene mycotoxins.

The efficacy of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) in detoxifying two potential bioterrorism agents, the trichothecene mycotoxins verrucarin A and roridin A, was evaluated. In the first experiment, verrucarin A (1, 5, or 10 microg) and roridin A (5 or 10 microg) were each inoculated onto square-inch sections of glass, paper, and cloth and exposed to 1000 ppm of ClO2 for either 24 or 72 h at room temperature. In the second experiment, verrucarin A and roridin A (1 or 2 ppm in water) were treated with 200, 500, or 1000 ppm ClO2 for up to 116 h at room temperature in light and dark conditions (N = 9 per treatment for test and control). A yeast assay using Kluyveromyces marxianuswas used to quantify the toxicity of verrucarin A and roridin A. Additionally, high-performance liquid chromatography was performed on selected samples. Results for the first experiment showed that ClO2 treatment had no detectable effect on either toxin. For the second experiment, both toxins were completely inactivated at all tested concentrations in as little as 2 h after treatment with 1000 ppm ClO2. For verrucarin A, an effect was seen at the 500 ppm level, but this effect was not as strong as that observed at the 1000 ppm level. Roridin A toxicity was decreased after treatment with 200 and 500 ppm ClO2, but this was not significant until the 24-h exposure time was reached. These data show that ClO2 (in solution) can be effective for detoxification of roridin A or verrucarin A at selected concentrations and exposure times.

Detection of airborne Stachybotrys chartarum macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins on particulates smaller than conidia.

Highly respirable particles (diameter, <1 microm) constitute the majority of particulate matter found in indoor air. It is hypothesized that these particles serve as carriers for toxic compounds, specifically the compounds produced by molds in water-damaged buildings. The presence of airborne Stachybotrys chartarum trichothecene mycotoxins on particles smaller than conidia (e.g., fungal fragments) was therefore investigated. Cellulose ceiling tiles with confluent Stachybotrys growth were placed in gas-drying containers through which filtered air was passed. Exiting particulates were collected by using a series of polycarbonate membrane filters with decreasing pore sizes. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to determine the presence of conidia on the filters. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specific for macrocyclic trichothecenes was used to analyze filter extracts. Cross-reactivity to various mycotoxins was examined to confirm the specificity. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) ELISA binding was observed primarily for macrocyclic trichothecenes at concentrations of 50 and 5 ng/ml and 500 pg/ml (58.4 to 83.5% inhibition). Of the remaining toxins tested, only verrucarol and diacetylverrucarol (nonmacrocyclic trichothecenes) demonstrated significant binding (18.2 and 51.7% inhibition, respectively) and then only at high concentrations. The results showed that extracts from conidium-free filters demonstrated statistically significant (P < 0.05) antibody binding that increased with sampling time (38.4 to 71.9% inhibition, representing a range of 0.5 to 4.0 ng/ml). High-performance liquid chromatography analysis suggested the presence of satratoxin H in conidium-free filter extracts. These data show that S. chartarum trichothecene mycotoxins can become airborne in association with intact conidia or smaller particles. These findings may have important implications for indoor air quality assessment.

The NHL-15 protocol for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: a sequential dose-dense, dose-intense regimen of doxorubicin, vincristine and high-dose cyclophosphamide.

BACKGROUND: The NHL-15 protocol is a novel, dose-intense, dose-dense, sequential chemotherapy program developed to improve outcome in advanced, aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The phase II NHL-15 protocol comprised: (i) induction [doxorubicin 60 mg/m(2) i.v. on weeks 1, 3, 5 and 7 plus vincristine 1.4 mg/m(2) i.v. (no cap) on weeks 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7]; and (ii) consolidation (cyclophosphamide 3000 mg/m(2) i.v. on weeks 9, 11 and 13 plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor 5 microg/kg subcutaneous on days 3-10 following each cyclophosphamide dose). Patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (working formulation: intermediate grade or immunoblastic), bulky stage I and stages II-IV, were eligible. RESULTS: There are 165 eligible patients with a 6.9-year median follow-up (range 0.5-141 months) and a median age of 48 years. For the entire group, 72.1% achieved complete remission, and at 5 years disease-free survival was 57.8% and overall survival (OS) was 62.2%. Ideal dose delivery was >90%. Acute and late toxicities of treatment were manageable and acceptable. Toxic death on treatment was 2.4%. When the diffuse large cell lymphoma histologies were grouped according to the International Prognostic Index (IPI), complete remission and OS in the low-intermediate (LI), and high-intermediate (HI) risk groups were improved by 5%-15% compared with historical CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone). This improvement was also noted for LI and HI risk groups in the age-adjusted (aa)IPI analysis for patients < or =60 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: The NHL-15 program can be administered safely and effectively to achieve high rates of durable remission when used for the treatment of advanced stage, aggressive, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The 5%-15% improvement in 5-year OS compared with historical CHOP, according to the IPI/aaIPI model (in LI and HI risk groups), is encouraging. Further evaluation and prospective testing of the NHL-15 protocol appears to be warranted.

An investigation into techniques for cleaning mold-contaminated home contents.

This study examined the efficacy of the following treatments to reduce selected fungal spore and mycotoxin levels on materials commonly found in home contents: (1) gamma irradiation at a 10-13 kiloGray exposure, (2) a detergent/bleach wash, and (3) a steam cleaning technique. A minimum of six replicates were performed per treatment. Paper, cloth, wood, and carpet were inoculated with either fungal spores (Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, or Chaetomium globosum) at 240,000 spores/2.54 cm2 of material or with the mycotoxins roridin A, T-2, and verrucarin A at 10 microg per 2.54 cm2 of material. Treatments were evaluated with an agar plating technique for fungal spores and a yeast toxicity culture assay for mycotoxins. Results showed that gamma irradiation inactivated fungal spores, but the treatment was not successful in inactivating mycotoxins. The washing technique completely inactivated or removed spores on all materials except for C. globosum, which was reduced on all items except paper (p < 0.05). Washing inactivated all mycotoxins on paper and cloth but not on carpet or untreated wood (p < 0.001). The steam cleaning treatment did not completely eliminate any fungal spores; however, it reduced P. chrysogenum numbers on all materials, C. globosum was reduced on wood and carpet, and S. chartarum was reduced on wood (p < 0.05). Steam cleaning was unsuccessful in inactivating any of the tested mycotoxins. These results show that the bleach/detergent washing technique was more effective overall in reducing spore and mycotoxin levels than gamma irradiation or steam cleaning. However, the other examined techniques were successful in varying degrees.