Susceptibilities of Algae and Legionella pneumophila to Cooling Tower Biocides

Nine algal strains and nine Legionella pneumophila strains were tested in laboratory culture for their susceptibility to inhibition by a variety of commercially available microbiocides. The responses ranged from ineffective to effective at 1/100 the manufacturers' recommended pulse doses. Tests were also performed to determine whether the action of the microbiocide was bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal.     

Radiometric assays for mammalian epoxide hydrolases and glutathione S-transferase

A number of epoxides, including cis- and trans-stilbene oxides, were assayed as substrates for epoxide hydrolases (EHs) by gas-liquid chromatography. Radiolabeled stilbene oxides were prepared by sodium borotritide reduction of desyl chloride followed by ring closure with base treatment. Rapid radiometric assays for EHs were performed by differential partitioning of the epoxide into dodecane, while the product diol remained in the aqueous phase. Glutathione (GSH) transferase was similarly assayed by partitioning the epoxide and diol, if formed metabolically, into 1-hexanol, while the GSH conjugate was retained in the aqueous phase. The cytosolic EH rapidly hydrates the trans isomer while the cis is very poorly hydrated. In contrast, the cis is a better substrate for the microsomal EH than the trans. GSH transferase utilized both epoxides as substrates, but conjugation is faster with the cis isomer. Cytosolic EH activity is high in mouse but very low in rat and guinea pig. Microsomal EH activity, in contrast, is highest in guinea pig, intermediate in rat, and the lowest in mouse. GSH transferase activity, which is high in all three species, can be inhibited by chalcone, with an I₅₀ of 3.1 × 10^?5m. These assays facilitate the rapid evaluation and direct comparison of epoxide-metabolizing systems in cell homogenates used in short-term mutagenicity assays, cell or organ culture, and possibly in vivo.     

Selection,linkage, and dominance in small populations

Summary Linkage, dominance, and selection interact significantly to alter the mean coefficient of inbreeding. The effect of one is not predictable without the other two. Close linkage between adjacent loci in the presence of intense selection caused a different response with overdominant gene action from with partial dominance. When selection was random, effects of linkage and dominance on the coefficient of inbreeding were nonexistent; but when selection was by either phenotype or genotype, linkage and dominance became important. Joint effects between linkage, dominance, and selection are illustrated in specific simulated populations.     

Problems of diabetics in prison.

Providing care for diabetics is difficult in prison. Six diabetic prisoners or former prisoners were seen whose care was difficult or unsatisfactory. Three had multiple admissions to hospital during their sentences with diabetic ketoacidosis that they induced themselves by not taking insulin. The motive seemed to be removal from prison to the fairly pleasant surroundings of the local hospital. A fourth prisoner required admission in a hyperglycaemic, hyperosmolar state that had gone unnoticed as he was thought to be "acting up." The two others had imperfect long term management of diabetes during their sentences. There is clearly room for improvement in diabetic services in British prisons, but manipulative behaviour on the part of some diabetic prisoners may remain a problem.     

Economic impact of a nationwide outbreak of salmonellosis: cost-benefit of early intervention.

The recognition and investigation of an outbreak of food poisoning in 1982 due to chocolate contaminated with Salmonella napoli enabled the food that carried the salmonella to be identified and four fifths of the implicated consignment of chocolate to be withdrawn. The economic benefits of prompt intervention in the outbreak have been assessed. The cost of the outbreak was over 0.5 pounds m. It is estimated that five deaths were prevented by the intervention and that 185 admissions to hospital and 29,000 cases of S napoli enteritis were avoided. This successful investigation yielded a 3.5-fold rate of return to the public sector and a 23.3-fold return to society on an investment in public health surveillance. A methodology is described that can be used to estimate the benefits of early intervention in outbreaks of foodborne illness and topics for further research are suggested. It is concluded that public health authorities and industry have much to gain by collaborating in the research into the design of cost effective programmes to prevent foodborne infections.