Fluorescence of dietary porphyrins as a basis for real-time detection of fecal contamination on meat

Digestion of green plants in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract produces degradation products from chlorophyll that cause ingesta and feces to be highly fluorescent. This property was exploited for development and construction of instruments to noninvasively detect minute quantities of feces on meat samples in real time. The presence of feces on meat products is a primary source of foodborne pathogens, such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. This new technology provides a rapid and accurate alternative to the practice of visual inspection and augments more time-consuming biological testing methods. This innovation can assist meat processors and government inspectors in their efforts to provide safe and wholesome food to consumers.     

Combined microbial community level and single species biosensor responses to monitor recovery of oil polluted soil

Understanding the effects of oil contamination on the composition and function of soil microbiota entails investigation of the effects of a mixture of hydrocarbons at the community level in a complex environmental matrix. One approach to this difficult problem is to ally a community-level fingerprinting approach with bioassays that have a physiological or functional implication. Two contrasting refined oils (paraffin and motor oil) were used to contaminate soil microcosms, and a simulated bioremediation treatment with nutrient-addition was applied. The indigenous microorganisms were monitored over 103 d using complementary community-level techniques (carbon source physiological profiling using Biolog^® microplates, and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiling). Changes in the toxicity of the applied oils were monitored using luminescent bacterial bioassays, including Vibrio fischeri and a hydrocarbon-degrading Pseudomonas putida strain. Distinct shifts in microbial community structure and C source utilization profiles were observed as a result of oil contamination. There was some evidence that bioremediated soils were returning to control values by the end of the experiment. This was supported by the bioassay results which showed an initial increase in toxicity as a result of the oil addition which had then decreased by the conclusion of the experiment. The two oils exhibited markedly different toxicity towards the bioassay organisms, with species-specific differences in response. This oil-specific difference was also found in the PLFA profiles which showed the two oil types selected different microbial communities.     

Risk assessment of dietary exposure to pesticides using a Bayesian method

Risk assessment of pesticides can be a statistically difficult problem because pesticides occur only occasionally, but they may occur on multiple components in the diet. A Bayesian statistical model is presented which incorporates multivariate modelling of food consumption and modelling of pesticide measurements which are for a large part below a measurement threshold. It is shown that Bayesian modelling is feasible for a limited number of food components, and that in a data-rich situation the model compares well with an empirical Monte Carlo modelling.     

Evaluation of the association between initial proteinuria and morbidity rate or death in dogs with naturally occurring chronic renal failure

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UP:C) > or = 1.0 at initial diagnosis of chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with greater risk of development of uremic crises, death, and progression of renal failure in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 45 dogs with CRF PROCEDURE: Dogs were prospectively assigned to 2 groups on the basis of initial UP:C < 1.0 or 2 > or = 1.0. The association between magnitude of proteinuria and development of uremic crises and death was determined before and after dogs with initial UP:C > or =1.0 were assigned to 3 subgroups and compared with dogs with initial UP:C < 1.0. Changes in reciprocal serum creatinine concentration were used to estimate decrease in renal function. RESULTS: Initially, dogs had similar clinical characteristics with the exception of systolic blood pressure and UP:C. Relative risks of development of uremic crises and death were approximately 3 times higher in dogs with UP:C > or =1.0, compared with dogs with UP:C < 1.0. Relative risk of adverse outcome was approximately 1.5 times higher for every 1-unit increment in UP:C. The decrease in renal function was of greater magnitude in dogs with UP:C > or =1.0, compared with dogs with UP:C < 1.0. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Initial UP:C > or =1.0 in dogs with CRF was associated with greater risk of development of uremic crises and death, compared with dogs with UP:C < 1.0. Initial determinations of UP:C in dogs with naturally occurring CRF may be of value in refining prognoses.     

Indices of renal function: reference values in normal horses

Urine and blood samples were taken at the same time from normal adult horses presented for routine investigations to establish reference values for a variety of parameters reported to be useful in the clinical evaluation of renal function. Blood biochemical values were consistent with previous studies and had well-defined normal ranges. Parameters representing urine concentration and electrolyte excretion however, varied widely reflecting the ability of the healthy kidney to change the composition of urine in response to differences in environment and management. Percent creatinine clearance ratios for potassium in particular were lower than those reported in normal horses in previous studies. Rational interpretation of these latter measurements should accept a wide range of normal values and management conditions must be considered in this interpretation.     

Factors affecting the phase-out of pesticide use in public areas in Denmark

That pesticide use in public areas in Denmark has been significantly reduced during the period 1995 to 2002 is shown when comparing three surveys carried out by the Danish Forest and Landscape Research Institute (DFLRI) with funding from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. During that period, the total registered public use of pesticides was reduced from 28.8 tonnes active ingredients to 6.3 tonnes, corresponding to a 78% reduction. In 2002, the Danish counties and state institutions had reduced their total pesticide use by 80% and 73%, respectively, compared to 1995 figures. Similarly, the Danish municipalities reduced their use by 83% from 1995 to 2002. Surveys of municipal pesticide use carried out in 1995, 2000 and 2002 have been used as the basis for determining the factors that have influenced municipal reductions of pesticide use. The 2000 and 2002 trends can be explained partly on the basis of the figures for 1995 use. The trend for 2002 can also be partially explained by the political parties in power in the municipalities during the phase-out period. The models used account for up to 30% of the total variations, meaning that the pesticide use of individual municipalities is very much influenced by other, non-definable factors such as tradition.