Embedding live bacteria in porous hydrogel/ceramic nanocomposites for bioprocessing applications

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - In this work, we present a biocompatible one-pot processing route for ceramic/hydrogel nanocomposites in which we embed live bacteria. In our approach, we...     

Cryopreservation of marine thraustochytrids (Labyrinthulomycetes)

In this research, the viability of three marine thraustochytrid isolates (fungoid protists) (WSG05, W15 and WH3) were investigated after freezing in liquid nitrogen. Five cryopreservative combinations containing horse serum, glycerol and dimethylsulfide (Me₂SO) were used. The thraustochytrids were assessed directly after removal from liquid nitrogen and cell concentration measured for 10 days post-thawing. Results indicated that a combination of horse serum and Me₂SO were the most effective cryoprotectants for each of the strains tested. Glycerol was only successful in producing growth in one of the strains once thawed.The protocols developed and tested in this study may have further application for cryopreserving other isolates in this class.     

Personality as a Predictor of Weight Loss Maintenance after Surgery for Morbid Obesity

Objective: Personality characteristics are assumed to underlie health behaviors and, thus, a variety of health outcomes. Our aim was to examine prospectively whether personality traits predict short‐ and long‐term weight loss after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Research Methods and Procedures: Of patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, 168 (143 women, 25 men, 18 to 58 years old, mean 37 years, preoperative BMI 45.9 ± 5.6 kg/m²) completed the Dutch Personality Questionnaire on average 1.5 years before the operation. The relationship between preoperative personality and short‐ and long‐term postoperative weight loss was determined using multilevel regression analysis. Results: The average weight loss of patients progressively increased to 10 BMI points until 18 months after surgery and stabilized thereafter. A lower baseline BMI, being a man, and a higher educational level were associated with a lower weight loss. None of the personality variables was associated with weight outcome at short‐term follow‐up. Six of seven personality variables did not predict long‐term weight outcome. Egoism was associated with less weight loss in the long‐term postoperative period. The effect sizes of the significant predictions were small. Discussion: None of the personality variables predicted short‐term weight outcome, and only one variable showed a small and unexpected association with long‐term weight outcome that needs confirmation. This suggests that personality assessment as intake psychological screening is of little use for the prediction of a poor or successful weight outcome after bariatric surgery.     

Presence of latent Botrytis convoluta infections in rhizomatous irises

Rhizomes of bearded iris plants of three varieties were found to harbor latentBotrytis convoluta infections which were not affected by surface sterilization. Apparently healthy rhizomes of the cultivars Apricot Glory, Sunset Blaze, and Cotlet were found to be 67, 84, and 90 % infected, respectively. Ten to 20 % of the offsets from Cotlet plants had latent infections. Latent infections are an important means of survival during the summer months when the fungus is inactive. They are also potentially important as a means of transporting inoculum from infested to disease-free areas.Portion of a Ph. D. Thesis by the senior author, Oregon State University.Technical Paper No. 2681, Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.