Antibacterial activity of crude methanolic extract and its fractions of aerial parts of Anthemis tinctoria

The antibacterial activity of the methanolic extract and its fractions of aerial parts of Aniheinis tinctoria (Asteraceae) was investigated against representative gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) and gram-negative strains Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). The activity was concentrated mainly in the dichloromethane (DCM) and hexane fractions of crude methanolic extract. The 5 mg of DCM extract per disk produced 15-16 mm of inhibition zone against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, however, no activity was found against E. faecalis and E. coli. The hexane fraction showed activity against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis. As DCM fraction showed the highest antibacterial activity in the disk diffusion assay, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of only this fraction was determined against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. These values were found to be in the range of 1.25 to 10 mg/ml.     

Dissolved organic carbon concentrations and fluxes along the Moisie River, Quebec

SUMMARY. 1. The main stream and tributaries of a 145 km reach of the Moisie River, Quebec, were examined for temperature, conductivity, pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC),%DOC>100,000 nominal molecular weight (NMW), optical density (OD₃₅₀), and the ratio of OD₄₀₀ to OD₆₀₀ (E4:E6).
2. Dissolved organic carbon concentrations correlated closely with OD₃₅₀ ( r ²=0.92, P <0.001). However,%DOC>100,000 NMW did not correlate with the E4:E6 ratio.
3. Except for a slight increase in%DOC> 100,000 NMW ( r ²=0.37, P <0.05), no change in any characteristic occurred down the length of the Moisie River, despite consistently higher levels of DOC in the tributaries.
4. Results suggest that high concentrations of DOC in tributary waters are rapidly removed within the main river channel. These results are discussed in terms of both biotic and abiotic models of in-strcam processing.     

Antibacterial activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Acacia aroma Gill. ex Hook et Arn

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of seven ethanolic extracts and three aqueous extracts from various parts (leaves, stems and flowers) of A. aroma against 163 strains of antibiotic multi-resistant bacteria. The disc diffusion assay was performed to evaluate antibacterial activity of the A. aroma crude extracts, against several Gram-positive bacteria (E. faecalis, S. aureus, coagulase-negative stahylococci, S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae, S. aureus ATCC 29213, E. faecalis ATCC 29212) and Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli., K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, E. cloacae, S. marcescens, M morganii, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, S. maltophilia, E. coli ATCC 35218, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, E. coli ATCC 25922). All ethanolic extracts showed activity against gram-positive bacteria. Among all obtained extracts, only leaf and flower fluid extracts showed activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Based on this bioassay, leaf fluid extracts tended to be the most potent, followed by flower fluid extracts. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of extracts and antibiotics were comparatively determined by agar and broth dilution methods. Both extracts were active against S. aureus, coagulase-negative stahylococci, E. faecalis and E. faecium and all tested Gram-negative bacteria with MIC values from 0.067 to 0.308 mg/ml. In this study the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were identical or twice as high than the corresponding MIC for leaf extracts and four or eight times higher than MIC values for flower extracts. This may indicate a bactericidal effect. Stored extracts have similar antibacterial activity as recently obtained extracts. The A. aroma extracts of leaves and flowers may be useful as antibacterial agents against Gram- negative and Gram-positive antibiotic multi-resistant microorganisms.     

Bovicin HC5 reduces thermal resistance of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in acidic mango pulp

Aims:  To test the effect of bovicin HC5 against vegetative cells and endospores of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris DSMZ 2498 in synthetic media and in acidic mango pulp.
Methods and Results:  Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris was grown in synthetic medium at 40°C and pH 4·0. The effect on vegetative cells was assayed by adding bovicin HC5 to synthetic medium (40–160 AU ml⁻¹) or to mango pulp (100 AU ml⁻¹) at various pH values and determining the effect on growth (OD_600nm) and viable cell number, respectively. The effect of bovicin HC5 on spore germination and thermal sensitivity of A. acidoterrestris was tested in mango pulp (pH 4·0) containing 80 AU ml⁻¹ of bovicin HC5. Bovicin HC5 was bactericidal against vegetative cells of A. acidoterrestris at different pH values and showed sporicidal activity against endospores of this bacterium. When spores of A. acidoterrestris were heat treated in the presence of bovicin HC5, D -values decreased 77% to 95% compared to untreated controls at temperatures ranging from 80 to 95°C.
Conclusion:  Bovicin HC5 was bactericidal and sporicidal against A. acidoterrestrsi DSMZ 2498.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  These results indicated that bovicin HC5 has potential to prevent spoilage of acidic fruit juices by thermocidophilic spore-forming bacteria.     

Physiological Effects on Periplaneta americana of Bacillus sp. Exotoxin

ABSTRACT This study was performed to evaluate the physiological effects of Bacillus sp. on Periplaneta americana. The insecticidal exotoxin was fractionated by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration from Bacillus sp. cultivates. Lp₂ among 4 lipoproteins showed markable increase after 24 hrs, but there was no change in glycoprotein. The enzyme activities of P. americana showed mostly decreasing pattern by treatment of exotoxin fractions. Protease activities decreased at 12 hrs after treatment in comparison with normal subjects. Amylase also showed decreasing pattern and maximal decline was observed after 12 hrs. Trehalase activities decreased at 6 hrs and 24 hrs. Invertase activities decreased from 6 hrs to 24 hrs, but recovered after 48 hrs. Amylase isozyme A₁ and A₂ disappeared and new isozyme appeared after 12 hrs with exotoxin treatment. Trehalase isozyme T₁ and invertase I₄ increased markedly after 12hrs. However, non-specific esterase E1 disappeared after 24hrs.     

Effect of tumor necrosis factor-α on intracellular Staphylococcus aureus in vascular endothelial cells

Although tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is an important host factor against intracellular bacteria, little is known about the effect of TNF-α on the persistence of intracellular Staphylococcus aureus in vascular endothelial cells. It was investigated whether recombinant human TNF-α influences the survival of intracellular S. aureus (ATCC 29213) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) under a condition with an antistaphylococcal agent, and its mechanism. The HUVECs were incubated with TNF-α, oxacillin, or both in 24-well plates for up to 48 h following internalization of S. aureus (10⁶ CFU well⁻¹) into HUVECs for 1 h. TNF-α (1 ng mL⁻¹) significantly reduced the number of intracellular S. aureus in HUVECs, and TNF-α plus oxacillin eliminated more intracellular S. aureus in HUVEC than oxacillin alone. The LDH viability assay and quantification of apoptosis using photometric enzyme-immunoassay showed that TNF-α preferentially induced cell death and apoptosis of HUVECs infected with S. aureus compared with noninfected HUVECs. These results indicate that TNF-α helps antistaphylococcal antibiotics to eliminate intracellular S. aureus in vascular endothelial cells, partly because TNF-α preferentially induces apoptosis of endothelial cells infected by S. aureus .     

Plasma membrane damage to Candida albicans caused by chlorine dioxide (ClO2)

Aim:  To investigate the plasma membrane damage of chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) to Candida albicans ATCC10231 at or below the minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC).
Methods and Results:  ClO₂ at MFC or below was adopted to treat the cell suspensions of C. albicans ATCC10231. Using transmission electron microscopy, no visible physiological alteration of cell shape and plasma membrane occurred. Potassium (K⁺) leakages were significant; likewise, it showed time- and dose-dependent increases. However, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) leakages were very slight. Research shows that when 99% of the cells were inactivated, the leakage was measured at 0·04% of total ATP. Compared with the mortality-specific fluorescent dye of DiBAC₄(3), majority of the inactivated cells were poorly stained by propidium iodide, another mortality-specific fluorescent dye which can be traced by flow cytometry.
Conclusion:  At or below MFC, ClO₂ damages the plasma membranes of C. albicans mainly by permeabilization, rather than by the disruption of their integrity. K⁺ leakage and the concomitant depolarization of the cell membrane are some of the critical events.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  These insights into membrane damages are helpful in understanding the action mode of ClO₂.     

AN AUTOMATED METHOD FOR QUANTIFYING THE L-ALANINE TRIGGER OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS SPORE GERMINATION AND COMPETITIVE INHIBITION BY D-ALANINE

We developed an automated method for studying the germination kinetics of Bacillus subtilis spores using a microtiter plate (MP) reader. Phosphate buffer supplemented with L-alanine was used to isolate the germination phase as determined by decrease in optical density (OD₆₃₀). Using a standard 96-well MP, L-alanine triggered germination kinetics were measured by automatic OD measurement every 3 min until the maximum OD₆₃₀ change (OD₆₃₀) was determined. When OD₆₃₀ values were plotted against L-alanine concentration on a double reciprocal plot, a straight line (R²= 0.98) was produced. The addition of D-alanine to the medium demonstrated classical competitive inhibition on double reciprocal plots. A 3-dimensional representation of the untransformed data showed the response surface nature of competitive inhibition. The method automates the tedious task of determining loss of refractility associated with spore germination under defined conditions so that inhibitors to germination can be studied. Since 96 OD₆₃₀ determinations can be done simultaneously in small volumes (200 μL) extensive data can be generated about inhibitors using relatively small spore crops in a single, short (1.4 h) incubation.     

The linamarase of Mucor circinelloides LU M40 and its detoxifying activity on cassava

Mucor circinelloides LU M40 produced 12·2 mU ml⁻¹ of linamarase activity when grown in a 3 l fermenter in the following optimized medium (g l⁻¹ deionized water): pectin, 10·0; (NH₄)₂SO₄,
1·0; KH₂PO₄, 2·0; Na₂HPO₄, 0·7; MgSO₄.7H₂O, 0·5; yeast extract, 1·0; Tween-80,
1·0, added after 48 h of fermentation. The purified linamarase was a dimeric protein with a molecular mass of 210 kDa; the enzyme showed optimum catalytic activity at pH 5·5 and 40 °C and had a wide range (3·0–7·0) of pH stability. The enzyme substrate specificity on plant cyanogenic glycosides was wide; the K_m value for linamarin was 2·93 mmol l⁻¹. The addition, before processing, of the fungal crude enzyme to cassava roots facilitated and shortened detoxification; after 24 h of fermentation, all cyanogenic glycosides were hydrolysed.     

Antibacterial abietane-type diterpenoid, taxodone from Metasequoia glyptostroboides Miki ex Hu

In an attempt to isolate bioactive constituents, ethyl acetate cone extract of Metasequoia glyptostroboides was subjected to a column chromatographic analysis that resulted in isolation of an abietane-type diterpenoid, taxodone. Its structure was elucidated by spectroscopic means. Further, taxodone showed potential antibacterial effect as diameters of zones of inhibition against foodborne pathogenic bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19166, Salmonella typhimurium KCTC 2515, S. enteritidis KCTC 2021, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, E. coli O157:H7 ATCC 43888, Enterobacter aerogenes KCTC 2190, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and S. aureus KCTC 1916, were found in the range of 9.4 to 14.2 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of taxodone against the employed bacterial pathogens were found in the range of 250 to 1000 and 250 to less than 2000 microg/ml, respectively. Also the compound had a strong antibacterial effect on the viable counts of the tested bacteria. These findings indicate that the bioactive compound taxodone present in M. glyptostroboides could be used as an antibacterial agent in food industry to inhibit the growth of certain important foodborne pathogens.     

Structural stability of Sclerotium rolfsii ATCC 201126 β-glucan with fermentation time: a chemical, infrared spectroscopic and enzymatic approach

Aims:  Sclerotium rolfsii ATCC 201126 exopolysaccharides (EPSs) recovered at 48 h (EPS I) and 72 h (EPS II) of fermentation, with differences in rheological parameters, hydrogel topography, salt tolerance, antisyneresis, emulsifying and suspending properties, were subjected to a polyphasic characterization in order to detect structural divergences.
Methods and Results:  Fermenter-scale production led to productivity ( P _r) and yield ( Y _P/C) values higher at 48 h ( P _r = 0·542 g l⁻¹ h⁻¹; Y _P/C = 0·74) than at 72 h ( P _r = 0·336 g l⁻¹ h⁻¹; Y _P/C = 0·50). Both EPSs were neutral glucose-homopolysaccharides with a β-(1,3)-glycosidic backbone and single β-(1,6)-glucopyranosyl sidechains regularly attached every three residues in the main chain, as revealed by chemical analyses. The infra-red diagnostic peak at 890 cm⁻¹ confirmed β-glycosidic linkages, while gentiobiose released by β-(1,3)-glucanases confirmed single β-1,6-glycosidic branching for both EPSs.
Conclusions:  The true modular repeating unit of S. rolfsii ATCC 201126 scleroglucan could be resolved. Structural stability was corroborated and no structural differences could be detected as to account for the variations in EPSs behaviour.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Recovery of S. rolfsii ATCC 201126 scleroglucan at 48 h might be considered based on better fermentation kinetic parameters and no detrimental effects on EPS structural features.     

Anti-bacterial activity of synthetic N-heterocyclic oxidizing compounds

Synthetic chlorochromate derivatives of pyridine and quinoline were active in vitro against type cultures of Escherichia coli (ATCC 128), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 14775), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 10145) and Bacillus subtilis (NCTC 8236). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were 125–250 μg ml⁻¹ and 250–500 μg ml⁻¹ for pyridinium chlorochromate and quinolinium chlorochromate, respectively. An established derivative of quinoline (Perfloxacin) had an MIC of 125–250 μg ml⁻¹. The extinction time for 10⁵ cfu in broth was 90 min for pyridinium chlorochromate and 120 min for quinolinium chlorochromate, except for B. subtilis which survived up to about 180 min and 360 min. A combination of the two compounds produced an antagonistic effect. The 50% lethal dose (LD₅₀ toxicity) in mice was estimated at 76 μg g⁻¹ and 33 μg g⁻¹ body weight for the quinolinium and pyridinium chlorochromates. The compounds also exhibited some potential for suppressing a simulated staphylococcal infection in mice at the dosage levels of ca 22 μg g⁻¹ for pyridinium chlorochromate and 45 μg g⁻¹ for quinolinium chlorochromate.     

The effect of cryptolepine on the morphology and survival of Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The antimicrobial activity of the indoloquinoline alkaloid, cryptolepine, isolated from Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Fam. Periplocaceae) was determined against selected micro-organisms. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranges obtained, expressed as μg ml⁻¹, were: 5–10 for Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCPF 3139; 10–20 for S. cerevisiae NCPF 3178; 20–40 for Escherichia coli NCTC 10418; 40–80 for E. coli NCTC 11560, Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and C. tropicalis NCPF; and 80–160 for C. albicans NCPF 3242 and NCPF 3262.
Biocidal effects were noted at concentrations 2–4 times those of the MIC of the alkaloid following challenge with 10⁶ cfu ml⁻¹ of micro-organisms. Time-kill studies showed a reduction in viable count from 10⁶ to < 10 cfu ml⁻¹ in 4 h in C. albicans ATCC 10231 exposed to 320 μg ml⁻¹ of the agent; 3 log cycle reductions were recorded for the 6 h counts of E. coli NCTC 10418 and S. cerevisiae NCPF 3139 exposed to 40μg ml⁻¹ and 160 μg ml⁻¹ of the alkaloid respectively.
These results were consistent with findings using scanning electron microscopy. Exposure of cells to biocidal concentrations of cryptolepine produced filamentation prior to lysis in E. coli NCTC 10418 and extreme disturbance of surface structure, including partial and total collapse, followed by lysis in C. albicans ATCC 10231 and S. cerevisiae NCPF 3139.     

Electron donor-dependent radionuclide reduction and nanoparticle formation by Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans strain 2CP-C

Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans strain 2CP-C reduces U(VI) and Tc(VII) to U(IV)O_2(s) (uraninite) and Tc(IV)O_2(S) respectively. Kinetic studies with resting cells revealed that U(VI) or Tc(VII) reduction rates using H₂ as electron donor exceeded those observed in acetate-amended incubations. The reduction of U(VI) by A. dehalogenans 2CP-C resulted in extracellular accumulation of ∼5 nm uraninite nanoparticles in association with a lectin-binding extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). The electron donor did not affect UO_2(S) nanoparticle size or association with EPS, but the utilization of acetate as the source of reducing equivalents resulted in distinct UO_2(S) nanoparticle aggregates that were ∼50 nm in diameter. In contrast, reduction of Tc(VII) by A. dehalogenans 2CP-C cell suspensions produced dense clusters of TcO₂ particles, which were localized within the cell periplasm and on the outside of the outer membrane. In addition to direct reduction, A. dehalogenans 2CP-C cell suspensions reduced Tc(VII) indirectly via an Fe(II)-mediated mechanism. Fe(II) produced by strain 2CP-C from either ferrihydrite or Hanford Site sediment rapidly removed ⁹⁹Tc(VII)O₄^– from solution. These findings expand our knowledge of the radionuclide reduction processes catalysed by Anaeromyxobacter spp. that may influence the fate and transport of radionuclide contaminants in the subsurface.     

Response surface methodology to optimize the nutritional parameters for enhanced production of jasmonic acid by Lasiodiplodia theobromae

Aims:  To find out the cumulative effect of the nutritional parameters and to enhance the production of jasmonic acid (JA) in static fermentation by Lasiodiplodia theobromae using response surface methodology (RSM).
Method and Results:  Malt extract, sucrose, NaNO₃ and MgSO₄.7H₂O were analysed by a 30-trial central composite design using RSM for optimizing their concentrations in the medium and the effect of their mutual interaction on JA production. Sucrose and NaNO₃ were found highly significant in influencing the JA production. Malt extract and MgSO₄.7H₂O showed an effect on the JA production in interaction with other variables. When the optimum values of the parameters obtained through RSM (19·95 g l⁻¹ malt extract, 50 g l⁻¹ sucrose, 7·5 g l⁻¹ NaNO₃ and 3·51 g l⁻¹ MgSO₄.7H₂O) were applied, 32% increase in JA production (299 mg l⁻¹) was observed in comparison with 225 mg l⁻¹ of JA produced with same media components not analysed by RSM and subsequently validated the statistical model.
Conclusions:  Increase in JA production was achieved by optimizing the nutritional parameters.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  This is the first report of using RSM for optimizing a medium for JA production. It resulted in an increase in JA production without augmentation of costly additives.     

Effects of carotenoids from Deinococcus radiodurans on protein oxidation

Aims:  To evaluate the antioxidant effect of carotenoids from Deinococcus radiodurans on protein.
Methods and Results:  Deinococcus radiodurans strain R1 (ATCC 13939) and its mutant strain R1ΔcrtB were used for this study. The total carotenoids (R1ex) from D. radiodurans were obtained by extraction with acetone/methanol (7 : 2, by vol), and their antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH˙ (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) system. The protein oxidation level, in vitro and in the cell, was measured using the DNPH (2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine) method. The carotenoid extract R1ex scavenged 40·2% DPPH˙ radicals compared to β-carotene (31·7%) at a concentration of 0·5 mg ml⁻¹. The intracellular level of protein oxidation in mutant R1ΔcrtB, which does not contain carotenoid, was 0·0212 mmol mg⁻¹ protein which is significantly greater than that in the wild type (0·0169 mmol mg⁻¹ protein) following the treatment with H₂O₂. The purified major carotenoid product (deinoxanthin) from the wild type showed a greater inhibition of oxidative damage in bovine serum albumin than lycopene or lutein.
Conclusions:  Carotenoids prevent protein oxidation and contribute to the resistance to cell damage in D. radiodurans .
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Our results provide the evidence that carotenoids can protect proteins in D. radiodurans against oxidative stress.     

Extrinsic control parameters for ozone inactivation of Escherichia coli using a bubble column

Aims:  To investigate the effect of extrinsic control parameters for ozone inactivation of E. coli in a bubble column.
Methods and Results:  Ozone inactivation of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 in Tryptic Soya Broth was examined. The parameters studied included temperature (ambient, 20, 25 and 30°C), exposure time (up to 30 min), gas flow rate (0·03, 0·06, 0·12, 0·25, 0·5 and 0·75 l min⁻¹) and concentration level (five different levels). The efficacy of ozone treatment was a function of the parameters investigated and optimum control parameters of flow rate (0·12 l min⁻¹), temperature (ambient) and ozone concentration (75  μ g ml⁻¹) resulted in a t _d5 (time required to achieve 5 log reduction) of 20 min.
Conclusions:  Optimum control parameters of gas flow rate, ozone concentration and temperature are reported for E. coli inactivation within a bubble column.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  In 2001, the FDA approved use of ozone as a direct additive to food and in 2004, issued guidelines for the use of ozone in liquid systems. However, these guidelines highlighted gaps in the literature for ozonation of liquid foods. This study provides useful information regarding optimum extrinsic control parameters for E. coli inactivation in liquid media using a bubble column to ensure microbiological safety.     

Photosynthesis, nitrogen allocation and specific leaf area in invasive Eupatorium adenophorum and native Eupatorium japonicum grown at different irradiances

The mechanisms underlying biological invasions are still not well elucidated. In this study, ecophysiological traits of invasive Eupatorium adenophorum and native E.   japonicum were compared at 10 irradiances in field. I hypothesized that the invader may allocate a higher fraction of leaf nitrogen (N) to photosynthesis and have higher light-saturated photosynthetic rate ( P _max) and specific leaf area (SLA) than E.   japonicum . The invader had a significantly higher ability to acclimate to high irradiance than E.   japonicum , while it showed a similar shade-tolerant ability. The invader indeed allocated a higher fraction of leaf N to photosynthesis than E.   japonicum , which, with its high leaf N content ( N _A), resulted in a higher N content in photosynthesis ( N _P), contributing to its higher biochemical capacity for photosynthesis and P _max. However, the invader had a significantly lower SLA than E.   japonicum , contributing to its higher P _max but increasing its area-based leaf construction cost. The abilities to acclimate to a wider range of irradiance and to allocate a higher fraction of leaf N to photosynthesis, and the higher P _max, N _A, N _P and leaf area ratio may contribute to the invasion of the invader. High SLA is not always necessary for invasive species.     

Long-term follow up of Helicobacter pylori IgG serology after eradication and reinfection rate of H. pylori in South Korea

Background: Serology is widely used for epidemiologic research of Helicobacter pylori . However, there is limited information on the long-term follow up of H. pylori titers after eradication. In addition, it is presumed that the reinfection rate decreases as the H. pylori infection rate decreases. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term follow up of H. pylori IgG, and to evaluate the reinfection rate of H. pylori in Korea.
Methods: Among 247 patients, who were enrolled during 2003–07, 185 patients with invasive H. pylori test positive received proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapy, and follow-up H. pylori testing, including histology, CLOtest, culture, and serology, were evaluated 2, 10, and 18 months after H. pylori eradication.
Results: The initial H. pylori IgG optical density (OD_450nm), 2.06, gradually decreased to 0.63 (67% reduction) at 18 months after H. pylori eradication. The seroreversion rate was 5, 10, and 45% at 2, 10, and 18 months after H. pylori eradication, respectively. The recrudescence of H. pylori was 3.49%, and the annual reinfection rate was 2.94% per year. H. pylori IgG titers abruptly increased in cases with recrudescence and reinfection, and correlated with the results of the invasive H. pylori tests.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that H. pylori IgG serology could be used for the determination of reinfection of H. pylori, but not for the diagnosis of H. pylori eradication. The reinfection rate of H. pylori , in Korea, was found to be very low, 2.94% per year.     

Combined effect of organic acids and supercritical carbon dioxide treatments against nonpathogenic Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 in fresh pork

Aims:  To evaluate the effectiveness of organic acids and supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) treatments as well as their combined effect for the reduction of nonpathogenic Escherichia coli and three pathogenic bacteria in fresh pork.
Methods and Results:  The different treatment conditions were as follows: (i) treatment with acetic (1%, 2% or 3%) or lactic acid (1%, 2% or 3%) only, (ii) treatment with SC-CO₂ at 12 MPa and 35°C for 30 min only and (iii) treatment with 3% acetic or lactic acid followed by treatment with SC-CO₂. Within the same organic acid concentration, the lactic and acetic acid treatments had similar reductions. For the combined treatment of lactic acid and SC-CO₂, micro-organism levels were maximally reduced, ranging from 2·10 to 2·60 log CFU cm⁻² ( E. coli , 2·58 log CFU cm⁻²; Listeria monocytogenes , 2·60 log CFU cm⁻²; Salmonella typhimurium , 2·33 log CFU cm⁻²; E. coli O157:H7, 2·10 log CFU cm⁻²).
Conclusions:  The results of this study indicate that the combined treatments of SC-CO₂ and organic acids were more effective at destroying foodborne pathogens than the treatments of SC-CO₂ or organic acids alone.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The combination treatment of SC-CO₂ and organic acids may be useful in the meat industry to help increase microbial safety.