Pojava i određivanje Thermoanaerobacterium i Thermoanaerobacter u konzerviranoj hrani u limenkama

In order to determine the reason for loss of vacuum in canned food, obligately anaerobic, spore forming thermophilic organisms were isolated from shelf-stable canned food containing vegetables, noodles and potatoes as main ingredients. Thermophilic bacteria from 44 canned food samples that had been stored under anaerobic conditions at 37 °C for at least 7 days were isolated. In addition, organic fertilizer used for the cultivation of some of the foods’ ingredients was examined and anaerobic, thermophilic bacteria could also be isolated from this source. Identification of bacterial strains was carried out by partial and complete 16S-rRNA-gene sequencing. Some of the obtained gene sequences showed a high level of similarity to existing 16S-rRNA gene sequences towards strains of the genera Thermoanaerobacter, Thermoanaerobium and Thermoanaerobacterium respectively, which have not yet been reported to be of importance as food spoilers. In the course of identification of these thermophilic bacteria we developed genera specific PCR-based approaches for detecting isolates belonging to the genera Thermoanaeroacterium and Thermoanaerobacter. Direct capturing of free DNA from contaminated samples using oligonucleotides coupled with paramagentic beads allowed the reduction of the detection time to six hours with a lower limit of 104 cells/mL.Da bi se odredio uzrok nestanka vakuuma u limenkama konzervirane hrane, obligatni anaerobi, termofilni organizmi koji stvaraju spore, izolirani su iz hrane u limenkama s glavnim sastojcima: povrće, rezanci i krumpir. Izolirane su termofilne bakterije iz 44 uzorka limenki uskladištenih pod anaerobnim uvjetima pri 37 °C barem 7 dana. Osim toga, ispitana su organska gnojiva upotrijebljena za uzgoj navedenog povrća pa su i iz tog izvora izolirane anaerobne termofilne bakterije. Identifikacija bakterijskih sojeva provedena je djelomičnim i potpunim sekvencioniranjem 16S-rRNA gena. Neke od dobivenih genskih sekvencija pokazale su visoki stupanj sličnosti s postojećim sekvencijama 16S-rRNA gena sojeva rodova Thermoanaerobacter, Thermoanaerobium i Thermoanaerobacterium. Do sada još nije bila ustanovljena važnost tih sojeva kao onečišćavača hrane. Tijekom identifikacije navedenih termofilnih bakterija autori su razvili genetički specifičan pristup utemeljen na PCR za određivanje izolata koji pripadaju rodovima Thermoanaerobacterium i Thermoanaerobacter. Izravno vezanje slobodne DNA iz onečišćenih uzoraka, koristeći oligonukleotide povezane s paramagnetskim zrncima omogućilo je smanjenje vremena detekcije na 6 sati s donjom granicom od 104 stanica/mL

On the Reactivity of Phosphaalumenes towards C−C Multiple Bonds

Heterocycles containing group 13 and 15 elements such as borazines are an integral part of organic, biomedical and materials chemistry. Surprisingly, heterocycles containing P and Al are rare. We have now utilized phosphaalumenes in reactions with alkynes, alkenes and conjugated double bond systems. With sterically demanding alkynes 1,2-phosphaalumetes were afforded, whereas the reaction with HCCH or HCCSiMe3 gave 1,4-phosphaaluminabarrelenes. Using styrene saturated 1,2-phosphaalumates were formed, which reacted further with additional styrene to give different regio-isomers of 1,4-aluminaphosphorinanes. Using ethylene, a 1,4-aluminaphosphorinane is obtained, while with 1,3-butadiene a bicyclic system containing an aluminacyclopentane and a phosphirane unit was synthesized. The experimental work is supported by theoretical studies to shed light on the mechanism governing the formation of these heterocycles

Robot-assisted simple prostatectomy versus open simple prostatectomy : a single-center comparison

PURPOSE Open simple prostatectomy (OSP) is a standard surgical technique for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia with prostate size larger than 80 ml. As a minimally invasive approach, robot-assisted simple prostatectomy (RASP) emerged as a feasible surgical alternative. Currently, there are no definite recommendations for the standard use of RASP. Therefore, we aimed at investigating various clinical outcomes comparing RASP with OSP. METHODS In this retrospective single-center study, we evaluated clinical data from 103 RASP and 31 OSP patients. Both cohorts were compared regarding different clinical characteristics with and without propensity score matching. To detect independent predictive factors for clinical outcomes, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS Robot-assisted simple prostatectomy patients demonstrated a lower estimated blood loss and need for postoperative blood transfusions as well as less postoperative complications. OSP had a shorter operative time (125 min vs. 182 min) longer hospital stay (11 days vs. 9 days) and longer time to catheter removal (8 days vs. 6 days). In the multivariate analysis, RASP was identified as an independent predictor for longer operative time, lower estimated blood loss, shorter length of hospital stay, shorter time to catheter removal, less postoperative complications and blood transfusions. CONCLUSION Robot-assisted simple prostatectomy is a safe alternative to OSP with less perioperative and postoperative morbidity. Whether OSP (shorter operative time) or RASP (shorter length of hospital stay) has a more favorable economic impact depends on the particular conditions of different health care systems. Further prospective comparative research is warranted to define the value of RASP in the current surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Evolutionary origins of hepatitis A virus in small mammals

The origins of human hepatitis A virus (HAV) are unknown. We conducted a targeted search for HAV-related viruses in small mammals sampled globally and discovered highly diversified viruses in bats, rodents, hedgehogs, and shrews. We demonstrate that these viruses share unique biological features with HAV, including structural, genomic, antigenic, and pathogenic properties. We found evidence of major shifts of HAV-related viruses between mammalian hosts in the past, suggesting both an origin of this viral genus in small mammals and a zoonotic origin of human HAV. Our data show that risk assessments for emerging viruses can benefit greatly from the analysis of viral infection patterns that evolved within animal reservoirs

Evolutionary origins of hepatitis A virus in small mammals

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is an ancient and ubiquitous human pathogen recovered previously only from primates. The sole species of the genus Hepatovirus, existing in both enveloped and nonenveloped forms, and with a capsid structure intermediate between that of insect viruses and mammalian picornaviruses, HAV is enigmatic in its origins. We conducted a targeted search for hepatoviruses in 15,987 specimens collected from 209 small mammal species globally and discovered highly diversified viruses in bats, rodents, hedgehogs, and shrews, which by pairwise sequence distance comprise 13 novel Hepatovirus species. Near-complete genomes from nine of these species show conservation of unique hepatovirus features, including predicted internal ribosome entry site structure, a truncated VP4 capsid protein lacking N-terminal myristoylation, a carboxyl-terminal pX extension of VP1, VP2 late domains involved in membrane envelopment, and a cis-acting replication element within the 3Dpol sequence. Antibodies in some bat sera immunoprecipitated and neutralized human HAV, suggesting conservation of critical antigenic determinants. Limited phylogenetic cosegregation among hepatoviruses and their hosts and recombination patterns are indicative of major hepatovirus host shifts in the past. Ancestral state reconstructions suggest a Hepatovirus origin in small insectivorous mammals and a rodent origin of human HAV. Patterns of infection in small mammals mimicked those of human HAV in hepatotropism, fecal shedding, acute nature, and extinction of the virus in a closed host population. The evolutionary conservation of hepatovirus structure and pathogenesis provide novel insight into the origins of HAV and highlight the utility of analyzing animal reservoirs for risk assessment of emerging viruses

Hosting capacity of the power grid for electric vehicles - A case study on a Swedish low voltage grid

Hosting capacity (HC) is described as the maximum amount of new production or consumption that can be added to the grid without causing a violation. In this case study, a deterministic approach is used to investigate the HC of electric vehicle (EV) charging in a low-voltage grid, containing 13 detached single-family houses. It investigates how different parameters affect the HC, and what is causing the violation in the grid. Two different performance indices (PI) are used in the study: power cable overloading and voltage drop. The local grid is simulated for one year for four cases and the HC is derived for these. The cases are distinguished by two different violation thresholds for the voltage drop and two different implementation orders of the location of the charging. The results show that the HC of the grid is 6-11 EVs charging simultaneously. The difference in HC is primarily due to variation in the baseload through the year and location of charging. The cable between the substation and the first cable cabinet was the major contributor to the fault, and the PI causing the violation differed depending on what case was used

Occurrence and Detection of Thermoanaerobacterium and Thermoanaerobacter in Canned Food

In order to determine the reason for loss of vacuum in canned food, obligately anaerobic, spore forming thermophilic organisms were isolated from shelf-stable canned food containing vegetables, noodles and potatoes as main ingredients. Thermophilic bacteria from 44 canned food samples that had been stored under anaerobic conditions at 37 °C for at least 7 days were isolated. In addition, organic fertilizer used for the cultivation of some of the foods’ ingredients was examined and anaerobic, thermophilic bacteria could also be isolated from this source. Identification of bacterial strains was carried out by partial and complete 16S-rRNA-gene sequencing. Some of the obtained gene sequences showed a high level of similarity to existing 16S-rRNA gene sequences towards strains of the genera Thermoanaerobacter, Thermoanaerobium and Thermoanaerobacterium respectively, which have not yet been reported to be of importance as food spoilers. In the course of identification of these thermophilic bacteria we developed genera specific PCR-based approaches for detecting isolates belonging to the genera Thermoanaeroacterium and Thermoanaerobacter. Direct capturing of free DNA from contaminated samples using oligonucleotides coupled with paramagentic beads allowed the reduction of the detection time to six hours with a lower limit of 104 cells/mL