A next generation, pilot-scale continuous sterilization system for fermentation media

A new continuous sterilization system was designed, constructed, started up, and qualified for media sterilization for secondary metabolite cultivations, bioconversions, and enzyme production. An existing Honeywell Total Distributed Control 3000-based control system was extended using redundant High performance Process Manager controllers for 98 I/O (input/output) points. This new equipment was retrofitted into an industrial research fermentation pilot plant, designed and constructed in the early 1980s. Design strategies of this new continuous sterilizer system and the expanded control system are described and compared with the literature (including dairy and bio-waste inactivation applications) and the weaknesses of the prior installation for expected effectiveness. In addition, the reasoning behind selection of some of these improved features has been incorporated. Examples of enhancements adopted include sanitary heat exchanger (HEX) design, incorporation of a “flash” cooling HEX, on-line calculation of F(o) and R(o), and use of field I/O modules located near the vessel to permit low-cost addition of new instrumentation. Sterilizer performance also was characterized over the expected range of operating conditions. Differences between design and observed temperature, pressure, and other profiles were quantified and investigated

Identifying bacteria in human urine: Current practice and the potential for rapid, near-patient diagnosis by sensing volatile organic compounds

Urinary tract infection (UTI) represents a significant burden for the National Health Service. Extensive research has been directed towards rapid detection of UTI in the last thirty years. A wide range of microbiological and chemical techniques are now available to identify and quantify bacteria in urine. However, there is a clear and present need for near, rapid, sensitive, reliable analytical methods, preferably with low-running costs, that could allow early detection of UTI and other diseases in urine. Here we review the "state of the art" of current practice for the detection of bacteria in urine and describe the advantages of the recent "e-nose" technology as a potential tool for rapid, near-patient diagnosis of UTI, by sensing volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Blood transfusion after lung transplantation: Impact on early function and survival

Objectives: Blood transfusion is associated with higher morbidity and mortality after general cardiothoracic surgery but little is known of the impact on the transplant population. We investigated the profile of blood product transfusion in the bilateral lung transplant (BLT) population and the impact on function and survival outcomes. Methods: A total of 311 adult patients who underwent BLT between 2003 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were stratified according to pretransplant diagnosis and amount of blood products transfused within 24 h of surgery. Results: Patients, 174 male, 137 female (mean age 41.4 ± 14.0 years) underwent BLT, using cardiopulmonary bypass for cystic fibrosis (48.87%), fibrotic lung disease (12.21%), emphysema (27.01%), bronchiectasis (5.79%), pulmonary hypertension (1.29%) and others (4.50%). Median number of red blood cells (RBC) in the first 24 h was 3 (0–40) units, fresh frozen plasma (FFP) was 2 (0–26) units, platelets = 1 (0–7) units. There were no differences in transfusion rates according to pretransplant diagnosis. Patients were divided according to the number of units transfused in the first 24 h. Survival was not influenced by whether patients were transfused with more or less than the median number of units of RBC (P = 0.162) or FFP (P = 0.298) (Fig. 1). However, survival was adversely affected by platelet transfusion (P = 0.032). Mean FEV1 at 6 months was significantly better for patients transfused with more than the median number of units of RBC (2.66 vs 2.83, P < 0.0001), FFP (2.61 vs 2.89, P < 0.0001) and platelets (2.73 vs 2.82, P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Unlike general cardiothoracic surgery, blood transfusion has no effect on survival, but administration of platelets has an adverse effect. Blood product administration does not differ significantly with pretransplant diagnosis. Interestingly, lung function at 6 months is significantly better for patients with transfusion with more blood products