DNA-DNA hybridization assay for detection of Salmonella spp. in foods

We have developed a DNA-DNA hybridization test for the presence of Salmonella spp. in foods. This test requires an initial pre-enrichment of food samples in nutrient broth but does not require selective enrichment. Samples of food cultures are collected on membrane filters and assayed by molecular hybridization to labeled probes. The probes consist of DNA sequences which are unique to the genus Salmonella and are widely distributed in the genus. A diverse panel of foods was assayed successfully by this methodology.     

Association of specific immune response to pork and beef insulin with certain HLA-DR antigens in type 1 diabetes.

To test the association of HLA-DR antigens with high-responder and low-responder status to either beef or pork insulin, insulin antibodies in diabetic sera were separated into those with average low and those with average high affinity and their insulin-binding capacities for each insulin determined. Significantly less binding of pork insulin by the high affinity antibodies occurred in the group of patients with DR3 antigens compared with those with DR4 antigens (p less than 0.01) and DR3/4 antigens (p less than 0.01). The difference in the binding capacity of beef insulin by the high affinity antibodies between the groups with DR3 and DR4 antigens was less pronounced but still significant. The high-responder status of DR3/4 antigens to pork insulin suggests that the gene or genes associated with HLA-DR4, and responsible for a high response to pork insulin, are dominant to genes associated with HLA-DR3 and a low response. If extended to human insulin and different HLA-DR and HLA-B antigen patterns, these finding should help in the therapeutic selection of the appropriate insulin and thus reduce the induction of an anti-insulin response in patients with diabetes.     

Influence of Potassium and Nitrogen Fertilization on Parasitism by the Root-knot Nematode Meloidogyne javanica

The influence of various c oncentrations of K⁺, nitrogen sources, and inoculation with root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica were evaluated in tomato plants. Increased potassium concentration increased top and root fresh weights of intact plants and fresh weights of excised roots. Nitrate-fertilized plants weighed more than plants receiving ammonium independent of the K level in the medium. Nematode counts on roots were not affected by nutritional differences in intact or excised roots. In intact roots a high percentage of males was recorded at low K⁺ levels, whereas in excised roots the proportion of males in the population rose as the K⁺ levels increased. Inoculated intact roots accumulated K⁺ when the level of potassium supply was low; infected excised roots contained less K⁺ than did nematode-free roots.     

Environmental sustainability of orthopedic devices produced with powder bed fusion

Additive manufacturing consists in melting metallic powders to produce objects from 3D data, layer upon layer. Its industrial applications range from automotive, biomedical (e.g., prosthetic implants for dentistry and orthopedics), aeronautics and others. This study uses life cycle assessment to evaluate the possible improvement in environmental performance of laser‐based powder bed fusion additive manufacturing systems on prosthetic device production. Environmental impacts due to manufacturing, use, and end of life of the designed solution were assessed. In addition, two powder production technologies, gas atomization (GA) and plasma atomization (PA), were compared in order to establish the most sustainable one. Production via traditional subtractive technologies and the additive manufacturing production were also compared. 3D building was found to have a significant environmental advantage compared to the traditional technology. The powder production process considerably influences on a damage point of view the additive manufacturing process; however, its impact can be mitigated if GA powders are employed.