LP System Research Articles

Modelling and simulation of a novel liquid air energy storage system with a liquid piston, NH[formula omitted] and CO[formula omitted] cycles for enhanced heat and cold utilisation

A liquid piston system (LP) is proposed to recover energy during the discharge of a liquid air energy storage (LAES) plant. The traditionally used air turbine is replaced with an LP system which will expand the evaporated air to generate power. Moreover, an NH3 and transcritical CO2 cycle are integrated to enhance heat and cold utilisation. The integrated LAES system was modelled using gPROMS. The numerical results have a maximum discrepancy of less than 6.4% from experimental data previously reported in the literature. The round-trip efficiency (RTE) was studied for various scenarios, including the sensitivity to thermal oil flow rate and heat exchanger efficiencies. Additionally, the study examined the influence of several LP configurations and concluded with a comparison to a conventional LAES system. With a liquefaction pressure of 40 bar, the highest RTE reached was 37%, surpassing the conventional LAES system’s 25% RTE at a discharge pressure of 25 bar. The heat utilisation was 96%, which doubles that of the conventional LAES system, while the cold utilisation was enhanced by 10%. Furthermore, the LP, NH3, and CO2 cycles thermal efficiencies were 88%, 19%, and 30%, respectively. A detailed energy assessment for heat and cold utilisation is presented.

The Effect of all-Natural Biological Milk Silo Culture MSC to Protect Human Health by Improving the Safety, Quality and Quantity of the Dairy Food Products through Activation of Milk’s Natural Lactoperoxidase LP System

The Effect of all-Natural Biological Milk Silo Culture MSC to Protect Human Health by Improving the Safety, Quality and Quantity of the Dairy Food Products through Activation of Milk’s Natural Lactoperoxidase LP System

PO-02-053 CHRONIC RETRIEVAL OF NANOSTIM ™ LEADLESS PACEMAKER (LP) FOR RIGHT VENTRICULAR PACING

Leadless cardiac pacemakers (LCPs) are an effective and safe alternative to transvenous pacemakers for single-chamber ventricular pacing. Feasibility of retrieving and replacing long-term implanted LCPs is not well established. We report a small single center series of chronically implanted Nanostim LCP™ leadless pacemakers. Since 2012 there were 103 Nanostim LCP™ devices implanted successfully to the right ventricle (RV) position. In 45 patients (M 26/ F 19), Ø age 72,5± 17 years, with average time since LCP implant of 15470 ± 479 days retrieval procedure was indicated. The main indication for LCP extraction was battery depletion indicative of a battery chemistry issue. Under fluoroscopy we observe the movement and location of LCP. Single snare (42) or triple snare (3) retrieval catheter was introduced through right femoral venous puncture. With deflection we snare the docking bottom and apply counter-clockwise rotation to release the LCP from tissue insertion.Besides fluoroscopy we guided the retrieval procedure with intracardiac echocardiography (ICE). The retrieval procedure was successful in 39 out of 45 patients (86,6%). Average time of the index retrieval procedure was 57 ± 21 minutes and average fluoroscopy time was 11.6 ± 5.2 minutes. New LP system was implanted in 37 patients during the same procedure. When the “swinging” LCP movement was observed, then we were able to retrieve (31 out of 31 patients (100%) vs restricted movement 7 out of 14 patients (50%); p < 0.001. Fluoroscopy time was as well shorter with “swinging” LCP movement (12.7 ± 8.6 min) vs restricted movement (45.6 ± 19 min); p < 0.001. This single center retrieval experience demonstrates the feasibility of replacement long-term implanted Nanostim LCP. The screw-in mechanism and dedicated

Al2O3@Ag composite structure as SERS substrate for sensitive detection of sodium thiocyanate.

Sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN) can be added to fresh milk to enhance the sterilization ability of the lactoperoxidase system (LP system) in milk, extending shelf life. However, excessive intake of NaSCN can be harmful to human health because it can prevent absorption of iodine leading to disease. Also NaSCN can be used as a marker to distinguish smokers from non-smokers. In this work, we successfully synthesized meatball-like Al2O3@Ag composite structures as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates using a simple wet chemical method adapted to conventional laboratory conditions. The substrate exhibited strong SERS enhancement for NaSCN. Under the optimal experiment conditions, we obtained a detection limit of 0.28μg L-1 and a quantification limit of 1μg L-1, R2 = 0.992. Based on the analysis of the intensity of SERS characteristic peak, the substrate had good reproducibility and uniformity. In summary, the Al2O3@Ag composite structure achieved sensitive SERS detection of NaSCN. Combining the facile and low-cost methods, we believe that the SERS detection method developed in this work can be used as a potential candidate for biosensing applications in the future.

Effect of Lactoperoxidase Enzyme System in Improving Shelflife of Raw Milk from Dairy Farms in Khartoum State, Sudan

Lactoperoxidase enzyme (LP) is a natural component in milk with broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity applications in in vivo and in vitro. LP system (LPS) was developed to eliminate the growth of bacterial pathogens and augment the shelf life of raw milk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of activation of LPS on the growth and survival of bacterial pathogens and preserving raw milk quality. A checklist was developed and filled in ten farms at the time of milking to detect the hygienic measures in these farms. Two liters of milk were collected in sterile containers and warmed to 37°C/15min. LPS was activated by dissolving 40mg and 30mg of sodium thiocyanate and sodium percarbonate, respectively, in one liter of milk and followed by thorough mixing. 50ml from this liter of milk was added to two new containers and designated as group B and C. Moreover, group C was supplied with E. coli (106-107 cfu/ml). While milk in group D, LPS was not activated, instead milk was only supplied with E. coli (106-107 cfu/ml). Group A was considered as the control group (neither activated nor supplied with Escherichia coli). Tenfold serial dilution was performed to determine the bacterial total viable count (TVC) and milk clotting time (per seconds) in each group for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 hrs. The TVC and the milk clotting time in each group were statistically expressed as pairs between the groups (A versus B; C versus D) with significance probability of P≤0.05. The checklist analysis reflected the bad hygiene measures in the dairy farms. For TVC, in 2hrs incubation; no significant difference was observed between group A versus group B. While group C versus group D showed high significant difference. After 4hrs incubation, TVC showed prominent significance difference between the control compared to group B. While group C versus group D showed no statistical significance differences. At 6hrs time period, a significant difference was observed between the compared groups. However, no significance differences were observed between the groups after 8hrs and 10hrs of incubation. For clotting time, in 2hrs incubation, a significant difference between the compared groups was observed. After 4hrs incubation, a significant difference between the control compared to group B was prominent, while group C versus group D showed no statistical differences in clotting time. However, no significant differences were observed between the groups after 6, 8 and 10hrs of incubation in the clotting times. Taken together these results indicated that the LPS system was efficient until 6hrs and could prolong milk shelf life and prevent milk clotting.

Leadless pacemakers: where is the device?

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Leadless pacemakers (LPs) were designed to avoid lead-related complications associated with transvenous pacing. To minimise the risk of complications, there is preference towards implanting LPs into the septal aspect of the right ventricle rather than the apex or free wall. The Transcatheter Pacing Study (TPS) and the international post-approval registry demonstrated the safety and reliability of the LP systems in real-world settings. The registry demonstrated that more than half of the LPs were implanted into the septum and most required &amp;lt;2 attempts at deployment. We report a radiological method of defining LP position. Methods We reviewed the first 100 LPs implanted at our centre. Two independent observers who didn’t implant LPs reviewed the patients’ post-implant fluoroscopy images and/or post-implant CXRs when available. The reviewers assessed the devices’ positions in postero-anterior (PA) and/or right anterior oblique (RAO) views based on conventional fluoroscopic criteria for lead position. We used the proposed criteria interchangeably on fluoroscopic images and post implant CXRs (Figure). Differences in classification of device position were resolved by consensus. Results Three experienced operators implanted 100 LPs at our centre. Patients (61% male) 56.6 ± 22.2 years had normal hearts (74%), ischaemic cardiomyopathies (12%), congenital heart diseases (6%), valvular pathologies (5%) and dilated cardiomyopathies (3%). Indications for pacing were symptomatic sinus node dysfunction (36%), followed by high grade atrio-ventricular block (33%), bradyarrhythmia associated with atrial tachyarrhythmias (27%) and other indications for pacing (4%). We had a 100% successful implant rate, 88% required ≤2 attempts and 70% required one attempt. There were no major complications. We were able to classify the site of the LPs implants in a total of 90 patients who had fluoroscopic projections or chest x-rays that would allow us to classify the implant sites. A total of 32 implants were in the apex (35.6%). 28 were in mid-septum (31.1 %), 15 in the apical septum (16.7%), 14 on the septal aspect of the right ventricular inflow (15.5%) and 1 implant (1.1%) in the septum of the RV outflow tract. Conclusion Our proposed method of defining LP position demonstrated that the rate of implants into the true apex at our centre was highly comparable to that of the international registry. It also showed that we had lower rates of implants into the mid-septum in favour of apical septum. There were no pericardial effusions or cardiac perforations resulting from our implant procedures regardless of the site of the implant. We utilised widely used fluoroscopic and chest x-ray criteria for categorisation of the LPs implantation sites. However, a recognised limitation to our analysis is that our findings were not validated using other imaging modalities such as echocardiogram or cardiac computerised tomography (CT). Abstract Figure. Criteria to classify device position

Artificial neural network and response surface methodology for modeling and optimization of activation of lactoperoxidase system

In the present study, the multi-component lactoperoxidase system (LPS) is used for improving milk safety and requires thiocyanate (SCN−) as a substrate for the generation of antimicrobial hypothiocyanite (OSCN−). The influence of four independent variables for activation of lactoperoxidase system on the improving the quality of raw goat milk were investigated and optimized using an artificial neural network and response surface methodology on the growth of total coliform count and bacterial count. The two models' predictive capabilities were compared in terms of root mean square error, mean absolute error, standard error of prediction, absolute average deviation, and coefficient of determination based on the validation data set. The results showed that properly trained artificial neural network model is more accurate in prediction than the RSM model. The optimum conditions were a temperature of 25 °C, storage time of 10 hr, NaSCN of 30 ppm and hydrogen peroxide of 18 ppm. For these conditions, an experimental total coliform count of 4.51 × 102cfu/mL and total bacteria count of 5.44× 104cfu/mLwas obtained, which was in reasonable agreement with the predicted content.The results indicate that the model is in substantial agreement with current research, and activating the LP System can extend the storage period of goat milkfor up to10hr when stored at 25 °C.The results revealed no significant differences in milk composition (protein content, fat content, lactose content, total solids, moisture content and ash content) were observed among activated and control goat milk samples.

Pasture diversification affects soil macrofauna and soil biophysical properties in tropical (silvo)pastoral systems

The diversification of tropical pastures with legumes (trees) for increased forage and animal productivity has been advocated. Nevertheless, effects on soil quality and belowground biodiversity, and the implications for sustainable intensification remain poorly documented, particularly when cattle grazing is included in the study. We evaluated the impact of forage system diversification with herbaceous and woody legumes on soil properties and soil macrofauna communities and their spatial heterogeneity in a three-year-old field trial in Cauca Valley, Colombia. Three forage-based systems were compared: (i) a conventional monoculture-species grass pasture system of Brachiaria hybrid cv. Cayman (CP); (ii) a mixed pasture system consisting of Brachiaria grass with the leguminous herb Canavalia brasiliensis (LP); and (iii) a silvopastoral system with rows of the legume tree Leucaena diversifolia planted within LP pastures (SPS). The experiment was arranged in a complete randomized block design with three replicates and grazing cattle rotating across blocks. Plots were grazed by three (treatments CP and LP) or four bulls (SPS) aiming to reflect the expected cattle intensification in SPS systems. Physico-chemical soil properties and macrofauna abundance and their spatial heterogeneity as affected by the distance from the tree rows in SPS, were assessed. Herbaceous legumes positively affected the abundance and diversity of soil macrofauna and soil physical properties in LP and the alleys between tree rows in SPS, as compared to CP. In the SPS, the highest soil quality and macrofauna abundance occurred at the edge of the tree lines, while the highest soil compaction and the lowest abundance of soil macrofauna occurred in the tree rows, probably due to the behavioral change of the grazing cattle in combination with the higher stocking rate in SPS. Soil properties in LP and in the alleys between the tree rows of SPS were comparable despite higher stocking rate in SPS. Overall, the SPS and LP systems, proved to be suitable alternatives to CP allowing for sustainable intensification of pastures although careful evaluation of possible trade-offs associated with increased spatial heterogeneity in SPS is recommended to avoid localized soil compaction. Soil macrofauna, particularly functional groups (classified by feeding habits) proved to be a sensitive soil quality indicator in response to contrasting pasture systems.

Biomechanical evaluation of locked plating fixation for unstable femoral neck fractures.

AimsEvaluate if treating an unstable femoral neck fracture with a locking plate and spring-loaded telescoping screw system would improve construct stability compared to gold standard treatment methods.MethodsA 31B2 Pauwels’ type III osteotomy with additional posterior wedge was cut into 30 fresh-frozen femur cadavers implanted with either: three cannulated screws in an inverted triangle configuration (CS), a sliding hip screw and anti-rotation screw (SHS), or a locking plate system with spring-loaded telescoping screws (LP). Dynamic cyclic compressive testing representative of walking with increasing weight-bearing was applied until failure was observed. Loss of fracture reduction was recorded using a high-resolution optical motion tracking system.ResultsLP constructs demonstrated the highest mean values for initial stiffness and failure load. LP and SHS constructs survived on mean over 50% more cycles and to loads 450 N higher than CS. During the early stages of cyclic loading, mean varus collapse of the femoral head was 0.5° (SD 0.8°) for LP, 0.7° (SD 0.7°) for SHS, and 1.9° (SD 2.3°) for CS (p = 0.071). At 30,000 cycles (1,050 N) mean femoral neck shortening was 1.8 mm (SD 1.9) for LP, 2.0 mm (SD 0.9) for SHS, and 3.2 mm (SD 2.5) for CS (p = 0.262). Mean leg shortening at construct failure was 4.9 mm (SD 2.7) for LP, 8.9 mm (SD 3.2) for SHS, and 7.0 mm (SD 4.3) for CS (p = 0.046).ConclusionUse of the LP system provided similar (hip screw) or better (cannulated screws) biomechanical performance as the current gold standard methods suggesting that the LP system could be a promising alternative for the treatment of unstable fractures of the femoral neck.Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(6):314–321.

Effect of Drum Pressure on Flow Accelerated Corrosion in Gas Fired Combined Cycle Power Plant: A Case Study and Literature Review

The dissolution of ferrous ions from the protective oxide layer and/or base metal by corrosion with the assistance of turbulent flow is called flow accelerated corrosion (FAC). Flow accelerated corrosion is the most common and continuous corrosion reaction in combined cycle power plants (CCPP). Heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) drum pressure fluctuation and/or turbulent drum water greatly influences the FAC of drum and economizer. This kind of FAC was investigated in the low-pressure drum (LPD) and low-pressure economizer (LPE) of a 210 MW gas-fired combined cycle power plant (Four-unit HRSG &amp; GT) with an air-cooled condenser (ACC). Severe FAC was observed due to the fluctuation of pressure in the LPD with respect to time. As a result, huge amounts of soluble iron (Fe2+) and insoluble (Fe3+) was found in all running HRSG’s LPD water. Due to pressure fluctuations in the LPD, a protective oxide layer (mostly magnetite), as well as the base metal, were corroded from the LPD and LPE even after carefully maintaining recently developed water cycle chemistry in this CCPP. Severe leakage was found in the LPE due to corrosion. The actual reason for the problem was found to be a malfunctioning steam-control valve in the turbine unit’s LP system. This valve was malfunctioning by suddenly opening to 100% and then closing to around 10% continuously. This malfunction creates enormous pressure drops in both the LPD and LPE units. It is understood that water turbulence is the main cause of FAC affecting the LDP and LPE. This assessment is based on chemical laboratory analysis and physical inspection. There was no non-destructive testing (NDT) performed in this study. The severe FAC happened in four days and for this reason, HRSG and steam turbines were shut down. Maintenance work on the control valve and flushing of the LPD and LPE successfully resolved the FAC problem. One week later, LPE leakage was found on the unit-3 HRSG and as reported in this study this was also found to be the result of FAC. From this case study, it is concluded that not only water quality but also water turbulence can create severe FAC problem.

ACTIVATION OF LACTOPEROXIDASE (LP) SYSTEM IN MILK AND ITS EFFECT ON THE QUALITY OF KAREISH CHEESE

In the present study, Lactoperoxidase system (LPS) was activated in fresh cow’s milk. The pH and acidity of treated milk were followed during storage at room (32°C), incubator (37°C) and refrigerator (5 ±1°C) temperatures. The activation was done using SCN ◌and H2O2 or SCN ◌and Na2CO3.1.5 H2O2. The effect of activation on microbiological quality was also investigated. All the treatments greatly improved the keeping quality of milk at room or higher temperatures compared to the untreated samples. The best results were achieved by adding 14mg SCN /L: 2mL H2O2/L to cow’s milk. In addition, slight improvement in the keeping quality of the LP-activated milk was observed when the milk was kept in a refrigerator. kareish cheese was made from cow's milk preserved by the LPS and the effect of the LPS on the chemical, microbiological and sensory properties of kareish cheese storaged for 30 days was investigated. Kareish cheese made from LPactivated cow's milk was low in the total bacterial count when compared to cheese made from the untreated one (control). The LP treatment did not affect the overall chemical composition of the cheese. Activation of LP system allowed to produce of kareish cheese with high and keeping quality.

Conceptual design and verification of long-distance laser-probe system for Li target diagnostics of intense fusion neutron source

We developed a diagnostics tool for a liquid lithium (Li) target intended for use in intense fusion neutron sources such as the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF). The current design of IFMIF requires that the thickness of the liquid-Li target be maintained to within ±1 mm while operating under normal conditions. This paper deals with two topics: a conceptual design of the Li target diagnostics and verification tests of a candidate diagnostics (long-distance LP system). The overall concept of the Li target diagnostics is described first, and then the system configuration of the long-distance LP method, which is to be installed 7 m in front the Li target to measure the Li target thickness accurately, is shown. In addition, we present the results of verification tests aiming to examine the applicability of the long-distance LP system. The precision error resulting from long-distance measurement was estimated using a stationary specular-reflection object and a water-model simulating the Li target. As a result, we verified that the LP system has a precision of 16–40 μm even at a sampling rate of 500 kHz measurement from a distance of 10 m.

Lp-estimates for parabolic systems with unbounded coefficients coupled at zero and first order

We consider a class of nonautonomous parabolic first-order coupled systems in the Lebesgue space Lp(Rd;Rm)(d,m≥1) with p∈[1,+∞). Sufficient conditions for the associated evolution operator G(t,s) in Cb(Rd;Rm) to extend to a strongly continuous operator in Lp(Rd;Rm) are given. Some Lp–Lq estimates are also established together with Lp gradient estimates.

Laryngeal pacing via an implantable stimulator for the rehabilitation of subjects suffering from bilateral vocal fold paralysis: A prospective first-in-human study.

To evaluate the performance and safety of the newly developed Laryngeal Pacemaker System (LP System) for the treatment of bilateral vocal fold paralysis (BVFP). Feasibility, first-in-human, single-arm, open-label, prospective, multicenter study with a group sequential design and a 6-month follow-up period. Nine symptomatic BVFP subjects were implanted unilaterally with the LP System. Pre- and 6-month postimplantation evaluations consisted of the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), the Peak Expiratory and Inspiratory Flow (PEF and PIF) evaluation, the PEF meter analysis, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), the 12-Item Voice Handicap Index (VHI-12), and the Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing. The safety profile of the LP System was continuously monitored. The LP System implantation was achieved in 8/9 cases. Seven of the nine subjects completed the study. Absolute PEF and PIF values improved significantly 6 months postimplantation (P < .05). 6MWT results showed a non-statistically significant improvement (P = .09). The mental component of the SF-36 showed a significant improvement (P = .043), whereas the other SF-36 components, the GBI, and the VHI-12 results did not changed significantly. The LP System did not affect the voice and swallowing quality and maintained a reliable safety profile for the duration of the study. This feasibility study showed that the LP System has the potential to become an effective and safe treatment for BVFP subjects without compromising the patients' voice. 2b Laryngoscope, 126:1810-1816, 2016.

Anterior cervical disc replacement for degenerative disc disease.

To review the outcomes of anterior cervical disc replacement using the Prestige LP system for degenerative disc disease. Medical records of 12 men and 23 women aged 26 to 66 (mean, 46) years who underwent 48 anterior cervical disc replacements using the Prestige LP system by a single spine surgeon were reviewed. 22 patients underwent one-level disc replacement at C5-C6 (n=13) and C6-C7 (n=9), and 13 patients underwent 2-level disc replacement at C5-C6 and C6-C7 (n=11), C4-C5 and C5-C6 (n=1), and C6-C7 and C7-T1 (n=1). Neck Disability Index (NDI) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain in the neck and arm, and physical and mental component scores of the Short Form 36 were evaluated at week 6 and months 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48. The NDI score, VAS score for neck and arm pain, and physical and mental component scores of the Short Form 36 improved significantly after surgery (p<0.001). 80% of patients were satisfied with the treatment. One patient developed a neck haematoma on day 1 and underwent surgical evacuation. Another patient developed Horner's syndrome and achieved partial recovery at 6 weeks and complete recovery at 6 months. No patient had implant-related complications or reoperation. The Prestige LP cervical disc implant was safe for one- and 2-level cervical disc replacement.

Renorming spaces with greedy bases

We study the problem of improving the greedy constant or the democracy constant of a basis of a Banach space by renorming. We prove that every Banach space with a greedy basis can be renormed, for a given ε>0, so that the basis becomes (1+ε)-democratic, and hence (2+ε)-greedy, with respect to the new norm. If in addition the basis is bidemocratic, then there is a renorming so that in the new norm the basis is (1+ε)-greedy. We also prove that in the latter result the additional assumption of the basis being bidemocratic can be removed for a large class of bases. Applications include the Haar systems in Lp[0,1], 1<p<∞, and in dyadic Hardy space H1, as well as the unit vector basis of Tsirelson space.

Upper semi-continuity and regularity of random attractors on [formula omitted]-times integrable spaces and applications

A sufficient condition for a family of random attractors to be upper semi-continuous and regular is obtained when the state space is a p-times integrable space with p>2. It is shown that both upper semi-continuity and regularity under the topology of p-norms do not rely on continuity, convergence and absorption of the associated random dynamical systems in Lp since the corresponding L2-properties can offer all. As an application of the abstract result, it is shown that the family of random attractors for the stochastic reaction–diffusion equations on a unbounded domain is upper semi-continuous and regular at any point under the topology of p-norms.

Role of disorders related to idiotypic and anti-idiotypic interactions in slowing down the achievement of negative serologic reactions in patients with early onset forms of syphilis after specific therapy

Goal. To study the humoral immunity state in patients with the slowed down achievement of negative serologic reactions after the treatment of early onset forms of syphilis by means of examining the blood serum level of idiotypic and anti-idiotypic antibodies to cardiolipin and p17 Treponema Pallidum antigenic protein. Materials and methods. The study involved 324 patients (39.5% male and 60.5% female) with the slowed down achievement of negative serologic reactions. Primary (idiotypic) antibodies to cardiolipin and p17 protein were obtained using immunochromatographic assays with the help of the Bio Logik LP system. Purified antibodies were concentrated using the ultrafiltration technique with the aid of the XM-100А membrane. To obtain the rabbit antiserum to p17 Treponema Pallidum protein, chinchilla rabbits were immunized using the commercial recombinant p17 protein. To determine anti-cardiolipin idiotypic antibodies in the blood serum, the ELISa method optimized for detecting anti-cardiolipin antibodies was applied. To determine anti-cardiolipin anti-idiotypic antibodies as well as idiotypic and anti-idiotypic antibodies to p17 Treponema Pallidum protein, the standard ELISA method was applied. The following antigens were used to process the pads: F(ab)2 fragments of anti-cardiolipin antibodies (5 μg/mL), recombinant р17 T. pallidum protein (5 μg/mL) and F(ab)2 fragments of antibodies to р17 T. pallidum protein (10 μg/mL). The level of antibodies was assessed based on the absorbancy and expressed in conventional activity units using the K coefficient being the absorbancy of the serum under examination to the mean absorbancy of control serums ratio. The K value exceeding 1.5 conventional units indicated the increased level of antibodies. Results. Patients with the slowed down achievement of negative serologic reactions demonstrated a selective increase in the level of anti-idiotypic antibodies (AIAB) relative to T. pallidum antigens, cardiolipin and p17 protein, vs. first-order antibodies, which points at abnormal mutual regulation between idiotypic antibodies (IAB) and AIAB; the discovered phenomenon lays the immunochemical basis for the formation of a self-sustaining “vicious circle” contributing to the induction of high levels of antibodies to treponema antigens even when the pathogen was destroyed.

PRESERVATION OF RAW COW MILK USING NON THERMAL TREATMENTS

This study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of using non thermal treatments for the preservation of raw cow milk. Samples of cow milk were incubated at 4oC as a control (C), heat treated at 80 oC for 10min (HT), activated LP-system (LPs), added soluble chitosan (CH, 0.1%), β-glucan (BG, 30mg/L) or glucomannan (GM, 30mg/L). All treated samples were incubated at 25oC, 37oC or 45oC. Ttitratable acidity (T.A%), milk stability, rennet coagulation time, starter activity, total aerobic mesophilic bacterial count (TBC), spore forming bacterial count (SC), coliform (CC) and mould & yeast (M.Y) in all samples were determined during incubation. A significant slowing down in the rate of increase in T.A% was found in all samples. Shelf-life of raw milk was of 19, 13, 12, 11, and 10 hr, during incubation at 25 oC for samples treated with HT, CH, LP, BG, and GM, respectively, with the same acidity (0.195%) in all samples. The clot on boiling and alchol stability tests of all samples are o0f the same trend of titratable acidity. The starter activity decreased significantly by adding CH, BG, GM and LPs. However HT as well as control treatments had a significant higher starter activity than other treatments. On the other side, all treatments reduced significantly rennet coagulation time, except LPs and HT treatments, which delayed coagulation time. Results showed no significant differences between all samples for TBC at the different incubation temperatures. Spore count in HT and CH treatments was significantly less than other treatments. Moreover, HT treatments had the lowest count for coliform, and M&Y. Coliform count was significantly lower by adding BG than other treatments.

Adding lipoprotein(a) levels to the GRACE score to predict prognosis in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome

High levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] are known to be a cardiovascular risk factor associated with premature coronary artery disease. In predicting the long term prognosis in acute coronary syndromes (ACS), the relationship between Lp(a) and risk scoring systems remains unclear. We investigated whether adding Lp(a) to the GRACE scoring system has an incremental value in predicting prognosis in ACS. 115 patients (mean age 64 ± 11 years) with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients were categorised into quartiles according to the Lp(a) levels. Statistically significant variables in the univariate analysis (haemoglobin, creatinine, age, left ventricular ejection fraction, previous myocardial infarction (MI) history, Killip class) were included in the multivariate analysis to determine the independent predictors of cardiovascular outcomes (mortality, rehospitalisation) with and without Lp(a) quartiles for one year follow-up. Previous MI history and Lp(a) quartile were detected as independent predictors of combined cardiovascular events (OR: 2.969 [95% CI 1.413-6.240] and OR: 6.279 [95% Cl 1.363-28.927] respectively). Lp(a) quartile also remained as an independent predictor for prognosis when added to a model based on GRACE risk score (OR: 2.589 [95% CI 1.402-4.780]). Serum Lp(a) levels were moderately correlated with GRACE risk score (r = 0.371; p < 0.001). Lipoprotein(a) has an additional prognostic value over GRACE risk score in predicting one-year adverse outcomes in NSTE-ACS. The combination of serum Lp(a) with GRACE risk score could provide enhanced risk stratification in patients with ACS.